Chapter 5: The Documents Hidden in My Wife's Office
At eight the next morning, I called Michael Reed.
He was already waiting for me at his office when I arrived.
I'd brought my father's letter, the bank statements, and the notebook containing my mother's handwritten records.
Michael read everything carefully.
Then he removed his glasses.
"Daniel, I need you to understand something. We have several separate issues here.""
"Go on.""
"First, the money. We need to establish exactly who owned the account, who had authority to withdraw funds, and whether those withdrawals were authorized.""
"And the documents Mom signed?""
"That's the second issue. If she was misled about what she was signing, that could be legally significant.""
I leaned forward.
"And the house?""
Michael looked at me.
"That's the part I'm most concerned about.""
He opened his laptop.
"Who owns the property?""
"I do. I purchased it six years ago.""
"Did you ever sign anything transferring ownership or granting Vanessa an interest?""
"No.""
"Did you authorize her to sign anything on your behalf?""
"Never.""
He nodded.
"Then we need to see whatever document she's referring to.""
I rubbed my face.
"She said she had papers with my signature.""
"Do you recognize her handwriting?""
"Yes.""
"Good. But don't confront her yet. We need evidence.""
I thought about the small office at the end of the hallway.
Vanessa kept all her household documents there. Insurance policies, bank statements, tax returns, and paperwork from the mortgage company.
I'd never had a reason to question what she kept in those drawers.
Now I wondered what else I had missed.
When I returned home, Vanessa's car was gone.
Mom was sitting in the kitchen with Ethan, helping him with his mathematics homework.
He looked up when I entered.
"Dad, did you talk to the lawyer?""
"I did.""
"Is Grandma in trouble?""
I sat beside him.
"No, buddy. Grandma hasn't done anything wrong.""
He looked relieved.
"Can I tell you something?""
"Of course.""
He glanced at Evelyn.
"Mom told me not to talk about the money because she said Grandma would get arrested.""
My mother dropped her pencil.
I turned toward him.
"She told you that?""
Ethan nodded.
"She said Grandma stole Grandpa's money and was hiding it from you.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"Did you believe her?""
He shook his head.
"Grandma gave me money for my school trip last year. She said it came from Grandpa. I didn't think she would steal it.""
I hugged him.
"You did the right thing by telling me.""
Ethan leaned against my shoulder.
"Is Mom going to leave?""
I looked toward the hallway.
"I don't know yet.""
He nodded quietly.
Then he said something else.
"There's something in Mom's office you should see.""
I looked at him.
"What?""
"She keeps a folder under the bottom drawer. She told Grandma never to touch it.""
I stood immediately.
"Can you show me?""
Ethan led me down the hallway.
The office door was locked.
I tried the handle twice.
Nothing.
"Do you have a key?"" I asked.
Ethan shook his head.
"Mom always keeps it in her handbag.""
I called Michael.
He answered immediately.
"Daniel?""
"I think I've found the documents.""
"Don't force anything open. Is there a way to access the office without damaging the lock?""
I looked at the small keyhole.
"The housekeeper has a spare key.""
"Then wait until you can get it. Don't risk destroying anything.""
I called our housekeeper, Maria.
She arrived twenty minutes later and handed me the spare key.
"Is everything all right, Mr. Carter?""
"Not exactly, Maria.""
She glanced toward the office.
Then lowered her voice.
"There's something I should tell you.""
I looked at her.
"What is it?""
She hesitated.
"Mrs. Carter told me I wasn't allowed to clean your mother's bedroom anymore.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
"She said your mother preferred privacy.""
"Did Mom tell you that?""
Maria shook her head.
"No. Your mother asked me several times to help her clean, but Mrs. Carter said I would lose my job if I disobeyed.""
I stared at her.
"How long?""
"Almost six months.""
I thanked her and unlocked the office.
The room smelled of Vanessa's expensive perfume.
A large wooden desk stood beside the window. Filing cabinets lined the wall. On the desk sat a silver picture frame containing a photograph of Vanessa, Patricia, and Ethan.
I walked toward the filing cabinet.
The bottom drawer was slightly open.
Inside were several folders.
I found one labeled PROPERTY.
The first document was a copy of my house deed.
The second was a mortgage statement.
The third was something I had never seen before.
A document titled:
*GENERAL POWER OF ATTORNEY AND PROPERTY TRANSFER AUTHORIZATION.*
My name was printed beneath the signature line.
And there was a signature.
It looked like mine.
But something was wrong.
I took photographs of every page and sent them to Michael.
His response came less than two minutes later.
Do not touch anything else. I'm coming over.
I continued looking.
Behind the property folder was another file labeled EVELYN CARTER.
Inside were copies of my mother's identification, pension statements, and medical information.
There was also a handwritten note.
Plan: Move Evelyn to assisted living before Daniel's birthday. Transfer remaining funds. Sell property after authorization is approved.
My hands went cold.
I read it twice.
Then I noticed another sentence written beneath it.
Patricia will help explain everything to Daniel once the transfer is complete.
I heard a car pull into the driveway.
Vanessa.
I quickly stepped away from the desk.
She entered the hallway carrying two shopping bags.
"Daniel?""
I walked out of the office.
"Where have you been?""
She smiled.
"Shopping with Mom. Why?""
I looked at the bags.
Then at the office door.
"Did you sign my name on a property document?""
Her smile disappeared.
"What?""
I held up my phone.
"I found the folder.""
For a moment, she didn't move.
Then she dropped the shopping bags.
"You had no right to go through my private things!""
"Is this my signature?""
She looked at the photograph.
Her face changed.
"Daniel, I can explain.""
"Then explain.""
She took a breath.
"It was a temporary arrangement.""
"Why did you forge my signature?""
"I didn't forge anything!""
I stepped closer.
"Then why does this document claim I authorized you to transfer my house?""
She started crying.
"Because I was trying to protect us!""
"From what?""
"Your mother!""
I stared at her.
"Mom doesn't own this house.""
"She was going to ruin our lives!""
Before I could respond, the doorbell rang.
Michael had arrived.
Vanessa looked toward the entrance.
Then back at me.
Her voice dropped.
"You don't understand what you've just done.""
Michael entered the office with his briefcase.
He looked at the documents on the desk.
Then he looked at Vanessa.
"Mrs. Carter, I need to ask you something.""
Vanessa wiped her cheeks.
"What?""
Michael pointed at the property authorization.
"Who prepared this document?""
She hesitated.
Then Patricia's voice came from the hallway.
"I did.""
We all turned.
Patricia stood in the doorway, holding a leather handbag.
Michael slowly closed his briefcase.
"Mrs. Collins, I wasn't expecting you.""
Patricia smiled.
"Well, I suppose someone has to protect my daughter.""
Michael looked at the signature.
Then at Patricia.
"That's interesting.""
"What's interesting?""
He placed a second document beside the first.
"Because the notary stamp on this authorization belongs to a notary who died four years ago.""
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Vanessa's face turned white.
And Patricia stopped smiling.
