Chapter 9: The Person Behind the Fraud
Daniel Foster arrived at the library twenty minutes later with two police officers and a face that told David the situation had become far more serious than either of them had expected.
After reviewing the threatening messages face that told David the situation had become far more serious than either of them had expected.
After reviewing the threatening messages and Sarah's documents, the officers began coordinating an urgent search for Linda.
David paced beside the library's entrance.
“We don't have until midnight,” he said.
“She's been taken somewhere.””
“We're treating this as a possible kidnapping,” one officer replied.
“We'll work with the information and Sarah's documents, the officers began coordinating an urgent search for Linda.
David paced beside the library's entrance.
“We don't have until midnight,” he said.
“She's been taken somewhere.””
“We're treating this as a possible kidnapping,” one officer replied.
“We'll work with the information we have.””
“What about the old Price house?””
“We'll assess it, but you are not going there alone.””
David nodded, though every instinct in his body urged him to get into his car and drive straight to the property.
Sarah stood nearby, speaking quietly with Daniel.
When she finished, she approached David we have.””
“What about the old Price house?””
“We'll assess it, but you are not going there alone.””
David nodded, though every instinct in his body urged him to get into his car and drive straight to the property.
Sarah stood nearby, speaking quietly with Daniel.
When she finished, she approached David.
“There is something else I need to tell you.””
He turned toward her.
“Now?””
“Especially now.””
She.
“There is something else I need to tell you.””
He turned toward her.
“Now?””
“Especially now.””
She opened her folder and removed a photocopy of Eleanor's handwritten statement.
“I opened her folder and removed a photocopy of Eleanor's handwritten statement.
“I withheld this page earlier because I needed to verify its authenticity. I didn't want to give you information that could be false.””
David stared at her.
“What does it say?””
Sarah withheld this page earlier because I needed to verify its authenticity. I didn't want to give you information that could be false.””
David stared at her.
“What does it say?””
Sarah placed the document in his hands.
The writing was shaky but legible.
*If placed the document in his hands.
The writing was shaky but legible.
*If anything happens to me, do not trust the people who claim to represent my estate. Marcus Bell is not acting alone. Someone close to the anything happens to me, do not trust the people who claim to represent my estate.
Marcus Bell is not acting alone. Someone close to the Mitchell family has been providing information about Robert, his finances, and the property Mitchell family has been providing information about Robert, his finances, and the property.*
David read the passage twice.
His throat tightened.
“Who wrote this?””
“Eleanor Price. Three weeks before she.*
David read the passage twice.
His throat tightened.
“Who wrote this?””
“Eleanor Price. Three weeks before she died.””
“Did she name the person?””
Sarah nodded.
She pointed to a line near the bottom.
*The person I died.””
“Did she name the person?””
Sarah nodded.
She pointed to a line near the bottom.
The person I fear most is the one who has been helping me organize my affairs.
David stared at the words.
“Robert?””
“We don't know,” Sarah said quickly.
“Your father may fear most is the one who has been helping me organize my affairs.*
David stared at the words.
“Robert?””
“We don't know,” Sarah said quickly.
“Your father may have been helping Eleanor without knowing what was happening. The statement doesn't establish that he participated in the fraud.””
“But it says someone close to my family provided information.””
“Yes.””
David's have been helping Eleanor without knowing what was happening. The statement doesn't establish that he participated in the fraud.””
“But it says someone close to my family provided information.””
“Yes.””
David's thoughts raced.
His father had helped Eleanor organize documents. Vanessa had later obtained information about the family's thoughts raced.
His father had helped Eleanor organize documents. Vanessa had later obtained information about the family's property. Linda had worked for Westbridge. Marcus knew details about David's life that he shouldn't have known.
The pieces seemed property. Linda had worked for Westbridge. Marcus knew details about David's life that he shouldn't have known.
The pieces seemed to point in different directions.
Then his phone rang.
His mother.
He answered immediately.
“Mom?””
“David, you need to come home to point in different directions.
Then his phone rang.
His mother.
He answered immediately.
“Mom?””
“David, you need to come home.””
Her voice was strained.
“What's wrong?””
“Your father found something in the attic. Something he.””
Her voice was strained.
“What's wrong?””
“Your father found something in the attic. Something he says you need to see.””
David glanced at Daniel.
“Is everything okay?””
“I think so. But he's says you need to see.””
David glanced at Daniel.
“Is everything okay?””
“I think so. But he's very upset.””
“Put him very upset.””
“Put him on.””
A rustle came through the phone.
Then Robert's voice sounded.
“David, I found the envelope.””
David stopped breathing.
“The brown envelope?””
“Yes.””
“Where was it?””
“In an old box beneath the attic floorboards. I hid it there after Eleanor died, then convinced myself someone had taken it. I must have moved it when I was cleaning the storage space, but on.””
A rustle came through the phone.
Then Robert's voice sounded.
“David, I found the envelope.””
David stopped breathing.
“The brown envelope?””
“Yes.””
“Where was it?””
“In an old box beneath the attic floorboards. I hid it there after Eleanor died, then convinced myself someone had taken it. I must have moved it when I was cleaning the storage space, but I don't remember doing it.””
“Dad, what's inside?””
Robert's voice trembled.
“Documents. A photograph. And a letter addressed I don't remember doing it.””
“Dad, what's inside?””
Robert's voice trembled.
“Documents. A photograph. And a letter addressed to you.””
David closed his eyes.
“To me?””
“Yes. It has your to you.””
David closed his eyes.
“To me?””
“Yes. It has your name on it, written in Eleanor's handwriting.””
“Don't open anything else. I'm coming home.””
He ended the call and turned to Daniel.
“My father found the original envelope.””
Daniel's expression sharpened.
“Then we need to secure it and document name on it, written in Eleanor's handwriting.””
“Don't open anything else. I'm coming home.””
He ended the call and turned to Daniel.
“My father found the original envelope.””
Daniel's expression sharpened.
“Then we need to secure it and document everything before anyone handles it further.””
They drove to the Mitchell house with the officers following behind.
When David entered the everything before anyone handles it further.””
They drove to the Mitchell house with the officers following behind.
When David entered the attic, he found Robert seated beside an open cardboard box. Helen stood nearby, holding a flashlight.
The envelope lay on a small table.
It was yellowed with age, its edges softened by years of handling.
Robert looked up.
“I thought it was gone forever.””
David sat beside him.
“Let's see what she left.””
Daniel photographed the envelope before carefully opening it.
Inside were three items.
A handwritten letter.
A photocopy of a bank transfer.
And a photograph of attic, he found Robert seated beside an open cardboard box. Helen stood nearby, holding a flashlight.
The envelope lay on a small table.
It was yellowed with age, its edges softened by years of handling.
Robert looked up.
“I thought it was gone forever.””
David sat beside him.
“Let's see what she left.””
Daniel photographed the envelope before carefully opening it.
Inside were three items.
A handwritten letter.
A photocopy of a bank transfer.
And a photograph of four people standing outside Eleanor Price's house.
Robert.
Marcus Bell.
Vanessa, then known as Victoria Shaw.
And a fourth person whose face had been partially obscured by a shadow.
David leaned closer.
“Who is that?””
Robert stared at the image.
His expression changed.
“I four people standing outside Eleanor Price's house.
Robert.
Marcus Bell.
Vanessa, then known as Victoria Shaw.
And a fourth person whose face had been partially obscured by a shadow.
David leaned closer.
“Who is that?””
Robert stared at the image.
His expression changed.
“I know that coat.””
David looked at him.
“What?””
Robert's fingers trembled against the table.
“I remember seeing know that coat.””
David looked at him.
“What?””
Robert's fingers trembled against the table.
“I remember seeing that coat at Eleanor's house. The person wearing it came to visit her the day before she died.””
“Who was it?””
Robert shook his head.
“I can't see the that coat at Eleanor's house. The person wearing it came to visit her the day before she died.””
“Who was it?””
Robert shook his head.
“I can't see the face.””
Daniel examined the photograph.
“There's a date on the back.””
He turned it over.
The date was seven years earlier, two days before Eleanor's death.
B face.””
Daniel examined the photograph.
“There's a date on the back.””
He turned it over.
The date was seven years earlier, two days before Eleanor's death.
Beneath it, Eleanor had written a short note.
*The person who knows where the money went.*
David turned to the letter.
It began with aeneath it, Eleanor had written a short note.
*The person who knows where the money went.*
David turned to the letter.
It began with a simple greeting.
Dear David,
*If Robert has kept this envelope safe, then I hope he has found the courage to tell you what happened. simple greeting.
Dear David,
If Robert has kept this envelope safe, then I hope he has found the courage to tell you what happened. I fear that the people responsible for the property transfers will not stop until every document is destroyed.
David read aloud.
The original deed proves I fear that the people responsible for the property transfers will not stop until every document is destroyed.
David read aloud.
*The original deed proves that my property was never legally transferred to Westbridge. But the deed alone is not enough. The person who received the money used that my property was never legally transferred to Westbridge.
But the deed alone is not enough. The person who received the money used a separate account, controlled through a company that does not officially exist.*
He paused.
Daniel leaned closer.
“Keep reading a separate account, controlled through a company that does not officially exist.*
He paused.
Daniel leaned closer.
“Keep reading.””
*I have included a copy of the first transfer. The recipient's name is hidden behind a false company registration, but the bank account.””
I have included a copy of the first transfer. The recipient's name is hidden behind a false company registration, but the bank account belongs to someone who has been trusted by the Mitchell family for years.
David felt his chest tighten.
He continued.
If you ever find this belongs to someone who has been trusted by the Mitchell family for years.
David felt his chest tighten.
He continued.
*If you ever find this letter, please understand that Robert did not steal from me. He tried to help me. I asked him to keep these letter, please understand that Robert did not steal from me.
He tried to help me. I asked him to keep these papers because I feared that my own attorney had been compromised.*
Robert covered his face with both hands.
“I should have told you.””
David placed papers because I feared that my own attorney had been compromised.*
Robert covered his face with both hands.
“I should have told you.””
David placed a hand on his father's shoulder.
“Keep going, Dad.””
Robert lowered his hands.
“I was afraid that if I revealed the envelope a hand on his father's shoulder.
“Keep going, Dad.””
Robert lowered his hands.
“I was afraid that if I revealed the envelope, Marcus would come after your mother. I thought hiding it was enough.””
“It's okay.””
“No, son, Marcus would come after your mother. I thought hiding it was enough.””
“It's okay.””
“No, son. It wasn't.””
David turned back to the letter.
The final paragraph was shorter.
*The person behind this scheme is not the person you suspect. It wasn't.””
David turned back to the letter.
The final paragraph was shorter.
*The person behind this scheme is not the person you suspect. Look at the signature on the first transfer. Then look at the signature on the document that gave your family its first mortgage. You will understand why I could.
Look at the signature on the first transfer. Then look at the signature on the document that gave your family its first mortgage. You will understand why I could never trust the people who claimed to be protecting me.*
David stopped reading.
“What mortgage?””
Robert looked confused.
“The house never trust the people who claimed to be protecting me.*
David stopped reading.
“What mortgage?””
Robert looked confused.
“The house was never mortgaged. Your mother and I paid it off years ago.””
David stared at the letter.
Then he remembered the old loan records he had seen in was never mortgaged. Your mother and I paid it off years ago.””
David stared at the letter.
Then he remembered the old loan records he had seen in the storage box.
His parents had taken out a mortgage decades earlier when they purchased the house. Robert had paid it off after David graduated from college.
The original lender the storage box.
His parents had taken out a mortgage decades earlier when they purchased the house. Robert had paid it off after David graduated from college.
The original lender had been a regional bank.
The mortgage documents were stored in the family filing cabinet.
David hurried downstairs.
He opened the cabinet and pulled out the old folder.
The original had been a regional bank.
The mortgage documents were stored in the family filing cabinet.
David hurried downstairs.
He opened the cabinet and pulled out the old folder.
The original mortgage agreement was inside, along with the discharge notice and a copy of the deed.
He placed the documents beside Eleanor's letter.
Daniel mortgage agreement was inside, along with the discharge notice and a copy of the deed.
He placed the documents beside Eleanor's letter.
Daniel examined the signatures.
Then he went completely still.
“What is it?”” David asked.
Daniel pointed to the name of the witness on the original mortgage agreement examined the signatures.
Then he went completely still.
“What is it?”” David asked.
Daniel pointed to the name of the witness on the original mortgage agreement.
*Linda Mitchell.*
David frowned.
“That can't be right. Linda was eighteen when we bought the house. She didn't witness a mortgage agreement.””
“Look at the signature,” Daniel said.
David.
*Linda Mitchell.*
David frowned.
“That can't be right. Linda was eighteen when we bought the house. She didn't witness a mortgage agreement.””
“Look at the signature,” Daniel said.
David leaned closer.
The signature resembled Linda's handwriting, but the date showed that she had been out of the country at the time, attending a leaned closer.
The signature resembled Linda's handwriting, but the date showed that she had been out of the country at the time, attending a university program.
Robert stared at the page.
“I don't understand.””
Daniel turned to the transfer record university program.
Robert stared at the page.
“I don't understand.””
Daniel turned to the transfer record.
The signature on the fraudulent property transfer matched the signature on the mortgage witness line.
Not perfectly.
But closely enough to suggest that someone had copied it.
“Someone used Linda.
The signature on the fraudulent property transfer matched the signature on the mortgage witness line.
Not perfectly.
But closely enough to suggest that someone had copied it.
“Someone used Linda's signature on the original mortgage documents,” Daniel said.
“That could explain how her identity became associated with these transactions's signature on the original mortgage documents,” Daniel said.
“That could explain how her identity became associated with these transactions.””
David's mind raced.
“Who had access to the original documents?””
Robert answered quietly.
“Your mother's brother.””
David turned.
“Uncle Peter?””
Robert nodded.
“Peter helped us arrange the.””
David's mind raced.
“Who had access to the original documents?””
Robert answered quietly.
“Your mother's brother.””
David turned.
“Uncle Peter?””
Robert nodded.
“Peter helped us arrange the mortgage. He worked in banking at the time. He handled most of the paperwork.””
Helen slowly sat down.
“Peter died twelve years ago.””
David looked mortgage. He worked in banking at the time. He handled most of the paperwork.””
Helen slowly sat down.
“Peter died twelve years ago.””
David looked at the old documents again.
His uncle had been dead long before Eleanor's property disappeared, at the old documents again.
His uncle had been dead long before Eleanor's property disappeared, before Vanessa entered their lives, before Linda worked for Westbridge.
But the signature suggested someone had been using information from a transaction that only a before Vanessa entered their lives, before Linda worked for Westbridge.
But the signature suggested someone had been using information from a transaction that only a few people knew about.
Someone had access to the family's old records.
Someone had copied Linda's signature.
Someone had built a scheme around the trust that the few people knew about.
Someone had access to the family's old records.
Someone had copied Linda's signature.
Someone had built a scheme around the trust that the Mitchell family had placed in its own history.
Daniel photographed the documents and sent them to a forensic specialist.
Then David's phone rang.
An unfamiliar number Mitchell family had placed in its own history.
Daniel photographed the documents and sent them to a forensic specialist.
Then David's phone rang.
An unfamiliar number.
He answered.
“Hello?””
A man's voice spoke calmly.
“David Mitchell. I believe you have something that belongs to me.””
David's blood ran cold.
“.
He answered.
“Hello?””
A man's voice spoke calmly.
“David Mitchell. I believe you have something that belongs to me.””
David's blood ran cold.
“Marcus?””
“No. My name is Peter Caldwell.””
David looked at Robert.
“Who?””
“Your mother's brother worked with me many yearsMarcus?””
“No. My name is Peter Caldwell.””
David looked at Robert.
“Who?””
“Your mother's brother worked with me many years ago. I believe you knew him.””
David felt his stomach drop.
“Uncle Peter is dead.””
A quiet laugh came through the phone.
“Your uncle ago. I believe you knew him.””
David felt his stomach drop.
“Uncle Peter is dead.””
A quiet laugh came through the phone.
“Your uncle is dead, yes. But the man who handled the original mortgage paperwork is very much alive.””
David gripped the phone.
“What do you want?””
“The deed is dead, yes. But the man who handled the original mortgage paperwork is very much alive.””
David gripped the phone.
“What do you want?””
“The deed. The original one from Eleanor Price's estate.””
“We don't have it.””
“Your father has something more valuable. A letter, a photograph, and. The original one from Eleanor Price's estate.””
“We don't have it.””
“Your father has something more valuable. A letter, a photograph, and a bank transfer record.””
David looked at Daniel.
The attorney silently signaled for him to keep the caller talking.
“Why are you threatening my family?””
“ a bank transfer record.””
David looked at Daniel.
The attorney silently signaled for him to keep the caller talking.
“Why are you threatening my family?””
“I'm not threatening anyone. I'm offering you a choice. Bring the documents to the old Price house before midnight, andI'm not threatening anyone.
I'm offering you a choice. Bring the documents to the old Price house before midnight, and your sister will be released.””
“Where is Linda?””
“She's safe.””
“Let me speak to her.””
A pause.
Then Linda's voice came through, faint and frightened.
“David, your sister will be released.””
“Where is Linda?””
“She's safe.””
“Let me speak to her.””
A pause.
Then Linda's voice came through, faint and frightened.
“David, don't give him anything!””
A sharp sound followed.
Her voice disappeared.
The man returned.
don't give him anything!””
A sharp sound followed.
Her voice disappeared.
The man returned.
“You have until midnight.””
The call ended.
David stood motionless.
Daniel immediately contacted the officers“You have until midnight.””
The call ended.
David stood motionless.
Daniel immediately contacted the officers, who began coordinating a response.
Then he turned toward Robert.
“Your letter may be the key to proving who controlled the, who began coordinating a response.
Then he turned toward Robert.
“Your letter may be the key to proving who controlled the money. We need to understand the account listed on the transfer.””
Daniel enlarged the scanned bank record.
The money. We need to understand the account listed on the transfer.””
Daniel enlarged the scanned bank record.
The recipient company was Northstar Family Holdings.
Beneath it was a routing number and a partially visible account identifier.
David recognized the recipient company was Northstar Family Holdings.
Beneath it was a routing number and a partially visible account identifier.
David recognized the last four digits.
They matched the account Vanessa had mentioned in her conversation with Marcus.
But the account's registered owner was not Vanessa.
It last four digits.
They matched the account Vanessa had mentioned in her conversation with Marcus.
But the account's registered owner was not Vanessa.
It wasn't Linda.
It wasn't Westbridge.
The name was hidden behind a corporate trust.
Daniel looked up.
“We need the bank to identify the beneficial owner.””
“ wasn't Linda.
It wasn't Westbridge.
The name was hidden behind a corporate trust.
Daniel looked up.
“We need the bank to identify the beneficial owner.””
“Can they do that tonight?””
“Not without the appropriate legal process. But we can submit the record and request emergency assistanceCan they do that tonight?””
“Not without the appropriate legal process. But we can submit the record and request emergency assistance.””
David looked toward the window.
Rain was beginning to fall.
Somewhere in the city, his sister was being held by.””
David looked toward the window.
Rain was beginning to fall.
Somewhere in the city, his sister was being held by people who believed they could force him into surrendering the only evidence capable of exposing them.
He glanced at the photograph people who believed they could force him into surrendering the only evidence capable of exposing them.
He glanced at the photograph again.
Four people stood outside Eleanor's house.
Robert.
Vanessa.
Marcus.
And the shadowed figure.
Then again.
Four people stood outside Eleanor's house.
Robert.
Vanessa.
Marcus.
And the shadowed figure.
Then he noticed something he had missed before.
A silver watch on the figure's wrist.
The same distinctive watch appeared in the courthouse photograph of Vanessa and he noticed something he had missed before.
A silver watch on the figure's wrist.
The same distinctive watch appeared in the courthouse photograph of Vanessa and Linda.
And in the picture Marcus had shown him outside the restaurant.
David stared at it.
The person behind the scheme had been present at every major event.
Seven years Linda.
And in the picture Marcus had shown him outside the restaurant.
David stared at it.
The person behind the scheme had been present at every major event.
Seven years ago.
Three years ago.
And now.
He turned the photograph toward Daniel.
“Look at the watch.””
Daniel examined it carefully.
Then his expression hardened.
“I've ago.
Three years ago.
And now.
He turned the photograph toward Daniel.
“Look at the watch.””
Daniel examined it carefully.
Then his expression hardened.
“I've seen that watch before.””
“Where?””
“On the wrist of the man who signed the property transfer as an independent witness.””
David's heart hammered.
“Who was he?””
Daniel looked at the seen that watch before.””
“Where?””
“On the wrist of the man who signed the property transfer as an independent witness.””
David's heart hammered.
“Who was he?””
Daniel looked at the document again.
“Peter Caldwell.””
David's phone vibrated.
A new message had arrived from the unknown number.
This time, it contained no photograph.
Only a document again.
“Peter Caldwell.””
David's phone vibrated.
A new message had arrived from the unknown number.
This time, it contained no photograph.
Only a sentence.
*ASK YOUR FATHER WHY HE LET YOUR UNCLE DIE WITH THE ORIGINAL DEED.*
David looked sentence.
*ASK YOUR FATHER WHY HE LET YOUR UNCLE DIE WITH THE ORIGINAL DEED.*
David looked at Robert.
His father had gone completely pale.
And in the silence that followed, Robert finally whispered the words David had never expected to hear.
“ at Robert.
His father had gone completely pale.
And in the silence that followed, Robert finally whispered the words David had never expected to hear.
“Peter didn't die twelve years ago.””
He swallowed hard.
“Your uncle faked his death.Peter didn't die twelve years ago.””
May you like
He swallowed hard.
“Your uncle faked his death. And I helped him disappear.”” And I helped him disappear.””
