Chapter 4: The Signature That Shouldn't Have Existed
I stared at the document until the words began to blur.
My father's name was printed across the top.
Beneath it was a date.
Seven years earlier.
And at the bottom was Marcus Hale's signature.
I knew that signature.
I'd seen it thousands of times on birthday cards, business documents, and the anniversary letter he'd written me the previous year.
There was no mistaking it.
"Why is your signature on my father's accident report?"" I whispered.
Marcus took a step toward me.
"That's not what it is.""
"Then tell me what it is.""
He glanced at Claire.
"She's manipulating you.""
Claire shook her head.
"Read the second page, Nia.""
I turned it over.
The document was an internal investigation report from Hale Development Group. It referenced a payment of $180,000 to a vehicle repair company three days after my father's death.
The payment had been authorized by Marcus.
But there was something worse.
The report contained a handwritten note from my father.
If anything happens to me, investigate the missing funds. Marcus knows about the transfers. Patricia approved them.
My knees weakened.
My father had written those words before he died.
"Where did you get this?"" I asked.
Claire answered carefully.
"My father kept a private archive. After he died, Patricia took control of everything. I managed to recover some files before she had them destroyed.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"I tried.""
She reached into her handbag and pulled out an old envelope.
It was yellowed around the edges.
My name was written across the front in my father's handwriting.
Nia.
I recognized the way he made the letter N.
My hand began shaking.
"What's this?""
"A letter your father asked me to deliver if anything happened to him.""
I looked at Marcus.
He had stopped trying to approach me.
His face had become unreadable.
"Did you know about this letter?""
He looked away.
That was enough.
I opened it.
My sweet Nia,
If you're reading this, something has happened that I couldn't prevent. I need you to know that not everyone who smiles at you has your best interests at heart.
The Hale family is hiding something. I've found evidence of financial misconduct, and I believe someone has been following me.
I don't know who I can trust anymore.
Whatever happens, protect the money I've left you. Don't let anyone convince you to sign away your future.
And remember, sweetheart, love should never require you to surrender your judgment.
Love, Dad.
I pressed the letter against my chest.
For seven years, I'd believed my father had simply lost control of his car on a rainy road.
I'd visited his grave every birthday.
I'd spent Christmas mornings remembering his terrible jokes.
And all this time, someone might have known what really happened.
My mother wrapped her arms around me.
"Oh, sweetheart.""
I couldn't cry.
Not yet.
I was too angry.
I turned toward Patricia.
"Did you know?""
She folded her arms.
"Your father was involved in business matters he didn't understand.""
"Did you know he was afraid?""
"He was becoming paranoid.""
"Did you know someone was following him?""
Patricia sighed.
"Your father made accusations without proof. He was threatening the company.""
Claire stepped forward.
"He had proof. That's why he died.""
"Enough!"" Patricia shouted.
Her composure had finally broken.
"You have no idea what you're accusing us of!""
I held up the report.
"Then explain the $180,000 payment.""
Patricia looked at Marcus.
He remained silent.
"Marcus?"" she demanded.
He rubbed his forehead.
"It was an insurance-related expense.""
Claire laughed.
"An insurance-related expense paid to a garage that never repaired the vehicle?""
Marcus glared at her.
"Shut up.""
"No. You shut up. You've been hiding behind Mother your entire life.""
Patricia moved toward Claire.
"You're going to regret this.""
Claire didn't move.
"I already regretted staying silent.""
My mother picked up her phone.
"I'm calling the police.""
Marcus immediately turned.
"Don't.""
Evelyn stared at him.
"Why?""
"Because this is a private family matter.""
"Your family doesn't get to decide when a crime becomes private.""
He stepped toward her.
"Mrs. Bennett, I strongly suggest you think about the consequences.""
I moved between them.
"Don't threaten my mother.""
Marcus looked at me.
His eyes were different now.
The gentle expression I remembered from our first date had disappeared.
"Nia, I'm trying to save you from making a terrible decision.""
"You've done enough saving.""
He lowered his voice.
"You don't understand what happens if those documents become public.""
"Then perhaps you should have thought about that before signing them.""
I handed the report to my mother.
"Call the police.""
She nodded.
But before she could dial, Patricia snatched the laptop from the vanity.
The audio recording stopped.
"Give that back!"" I shouted.
She grabbed the USB drive and pulled it from the port.
For a moment, I thought she was going to destroy it.
Instead, she held it above her head.
"You people have no idea what you're dealing with.""
Claire reached for it.
Patricia shoved her.
Claire stumbled into the vanity, knocking several makeup bottles onto the floor.
My mother screamed.
Marcus grabbed his mother's arm.
"Mom, stop!""
Patricia turned toward him.
"Don't tell me what to do! I've spent twenty years protecting you!""
He looked at her.
Something passed between them.
Fear.
Not anger.
Fear.
And suddenly I understood something.
Marcus wasn't just protecting his mother.
He was afraid of what she knew.
Claire recovered and pointed at the USB drive.
"That's a copy.""
Patricia froze.
"What?""
"I made three copies. One is with my lawyer. Another is with someone who knows exactly what to do if I disappear.""
Patricia's fingers loosened.
The USB dropped onto the carpet.
My phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
I answered without thinking.
"Hello?""
A man's voice came through.
"Miss Bennett? My name is Daniel Reeves. I'm an attorney representing Claire Hale.""
I looked at Claire.
She nodded.
Daniel continued.
"I understand you've just received certain documents concerning your father's death.""
"Yes.""
"Please don't hand anything over to Marcus or Patricia. I need you to listen carefully. There is another file you haven't seen.""
"What file?""
A pause.
"Your father left a video recording.""
My breath caught.
"Where is it?""
"At the hotel. A staff member has been holding it for seven years.""
I looked toward the door.
"Why didn't anyone tell me?""
"Because the person who arranged for it to be hidden has been monitoring the hotel's records.""
I swallowed.
"Who arranged it?""
Daniel lowered his voice.
"Your father named Patricia Hale.""
Across the room, Patricia was watching me.
She had heard enough to understand.
And for the first time, she looked genuinely terrified.
May you like
Then Daniel added one final sentence.
"Miss Bennett, there's something else. Your father recorded that video less than an hour before the accident.""
