Chapter 4: The Will Nobody Was Supposed to Find
Daniel read the anonymous message three times.
*If you want to know why Vanessa targeted Ethan, ask what happened to Catherine's original will.*
The second message was even worse.
*And don't trust your attorney.*
For a moment, the only sound in the foyer was the soft rustling of Ethan's blanket. Daniel held his son closer, remembering the woman who had smiled at him across their kitchen table and promised that their little boy would always be protected.
Catherine had been meticulous about paperwork. She had organized their insurance documents, written letters for Ethan to read when he grew older, and insisted that Daniel update their estate plans before the baby arrived.
She had also told him something shortly before her death.
Something he had dismissed as anxiety.
"If anything ever happens to me, Daniel, promise me you'll never let anyone make decisions about Ethan without checking the original documents.""
He had kissed her forehead and promised.
Now, nearly a year later, he wondered whether his wife had known something he didn't.
Daniel called Marcus back into the foyer.
"Do you know where Catherine's original will is kept?""
Marcus looked surprised.
"I thought your attorney had it, sir.""
"He has a copy. Catherine told me the original was stored somewhere in the house.""
"Would you like me to search the safe?""
Daniel nodded.
"Start with the study. Don't tell anyone what we're looking for.""
Marcus disappeared down the hallway.
Daniel placed Ethan in his portable crib and called his attorney, Richard Hale.
Richard answered on the second ring.
"Daniel. I heard about the incident with the baby. Is Ethan all right?""
"He's recovering.""
"Thank goodness. Vanessa called me earlier. She was terribly upset.""
Daniel's grip tightened around the phone.
"Vanessa called you?""
"Yes. She said the housekeeper had behaved erratically. I told her not to make any decisions until we understood what happened.""
Daniel stared at the dark television screen across the room.
"Richard, where is Catherine's original will?""
There was a pause.
"Your wife executed her will through my office. The original is in our secure archive.""
"That's not what I asked.""
"Daniel, is something wrong?""
"I received a message telling me to investigate the original will.""
Richard exhaled slowly.
"Anonymous messages are often designed to create distrust. You shouldn't let someone manipulate you during an emotional moment.""
"Then you'll have no problem sending me every document related to Catherine's estate.""
"Of course. I'll arrange it tomorrow.""
"Today.""
Another pause.
"Daniel, I'm in court this afternoon.""
"Then have someone else retrieve them.""
"You're being unreasonable.""
Daniel almost laughed.
He had spent years trusting Richard with every significant legal decision in his life. The man had represented his father, handled the family's business contracts, and helped Catherine establish Ethan's trust.
Yet the moment Daniel mentioned the original will, Richard had tried to slow him down.
"One more question," Daniel said.
"Has anyone requested an amendment to Ethan's trust?""
Richard's answer came too quickly.
"No.""
Daniel's stomach tightened.
"Are you certain?""
"Absolutely.""
"Then you won't mind if I have another attorney review the records.""
Richard's voice became cold.
"You're entitled to do whatever you want. But I strongly advise you not to make accusations without evidence.""
The call ended.
Daniel lowered his phone.
He hadn't accused Richard of anything.
The attorney had volunteered the warning himself.
Across the hall, a drawer slammed.
Marcus emerged from the study carrying a small black box.
"Mr. Whitmore, I found this behind the false panel in the bottom drawer of your desk.""
Daniel recognized the box immediately.
It had belonged to Catherine.
He opened it with trembling fingers.
Inside lay a silver bracelet, two photographs, and a folded envelope bearing his wife's handwriting.
*For Daniel. Only open this if someone tries to take control of Ethan's future.*
Daniel sat down.
Marcus quietly stepped away as he unfolded the letter.
My darling Daniel,
If you're reading this, something has happened that I hoped we would never face.
I love Vanessa because she was part of the family long before you and I married. But love doesn't mean blindness. I have seen the way she watches our finances, and I've heard conversations she believes nobody else can hear.
I may be wrong about her intentions. I sincerely hope I am.
However, I have made arrangements to protect Ethan. His inheritance cannot be transferred by you, Vanessa, or any single member of the family acting alone.
The original documents name an independent trustee. If anyone tries to alter the trust without that person's approval, the change must be investigated.
The trustee's name and the sealed instructions are recorded in the original will.
Please, Daniel. Find the original.
And remember that the person who seems most frightened of losing everything may already believe everything belongs to them.
Daniel read the final sentence twice.
Catherine hadn't accused Vanessa of a crime. She had left a warning, carefully worded and painfully deliberate.
He turned the letter over.
On the back, Catherine had written an address in Austin and a name.
*Eleanor Brooks — Independent Trustee.*
Below it was a telephone number.
Daniel immediately called.
A woman answered after several rings.
"Brooks.""
"Ms. Brooks, my name is Daniel Whitmore. My wife, Catherine, listed you in a private letter concerning our son's trust.""
The woman went silent.
Then she asked, "Has someone attempted to change the beneficiary arrangements?""
Daniel stood.
"How did you know?""
"Because I received an unusual request three days ago. Someone claiming to represent your family asked for documents related to Ethan's inheritance.""
"Who?""
"The request came through a legal office. It was signed by Richard Hale.""
Daniel felt the room tilt around him.
"What did you do?""
"I refused to release anything without direct authorization from you. Mrs. Whitmore gave me very specific instructions.""
"Did she tell you why?""
Eleanor hesitated.
"She said she had discovered irregularities in the family's financial records. She was afraid someone might try to gain control of Ethan's assets before he was old enough to understand what had happened.""
Daniel's mouth went dry.
"What irregularities?""
"I can't discuss the details over an unsecured phone line. But if you can come to Austin tomorrow morning, I'll show you the documents Catherine entrusted to me.""
"Can you tell me one thing? Is Ethan's inheritance safe?""
"For now, yes. But someone has been trying to alter the trust.""
Daniel closed his eyes.
The anonymous message had been real.
Before he could ask another question, a sharp noise came from upstairs.
A door slammed.
Then he heard Vanessa's voice.
"Daniel? Who were you talking to?""
He turned toward the staircase.
Vanessa stood at the top, gripping the railing. She had apparently returned without his noticing.
"An attorney," he answered.
"Which attorney?""
"Someone who works for Ethan.""
Her face changed.
"Why does Ethan need another attorney?""
"Because I want an independent review of his trust.""
Vanessa descended the stairs slowly.
"Daniel, you're upsetting yourself over nothing. The housekeeper nearly caused a tragedy, and now you're letting anonymous messages convince you that everyone is conspiring against you.""
"The housekeeper saved my son.""
Vanessa flinched.
He continued.
"And I have reason to believe someone has been trying to interfere with Ethan's inheritance.""
She stopped halfway down the stairs.
"Who told you that?""
Daniel studied her.
"Why? Does the idea frighten you?""
"No.""
"Then answer me. Did you remove a document from my study last week?""
Vanessa's eyes widened.
"What document?""
"Catherine's estate paperwork.""
She shook her head.
"I've never touched Catherine's things.""
Daniel remembered the security footage.
He remembered the envelope slipping from Vanessa's handbag.
He remembered her smile at the camera.
"Then you won't mind if Marcus searches your room.""
Vanessa's face turned red.
"You can't be serious!""
"Watch me.""
She came down the remaining steps and pointed a trembling finger at him.
"You are going to destroy this family because you can't accept that you need help!""
"No," Daniel said quietly.
"I'm going to protect my son.""
Vanessa stared at him for several seconds.
Then she picked up her handbag from the console table.
"Fine. Search everything. But when you discover how badly you've misjudged me, don't expect me to forgive you.""
She stormed out.
Daniel watched the front door close.
A moment later, Marcus appeared from the study.
"Sir, there's something else you should see.""
He handed Daniel a printed photograph from the security archive.
It showed Vanessa entering the study at midnight.
But behind her, reflected in the glass cabinet, stood another person.
A man wearing a dark suit.
Daniel recognized him immediately.
May you like
Richard Hale.
And in his hand was a key to Catherine's private document box.
