Chapter 3: The Signature That Wasn't Hers
Daniel felt as though the kitchen floor had tilted beneath him.
One hundred and forty-six thousand dollars.
His mother's savings.
The money his father had spent thirty years building so Evelyn would never have to worry about her future.
"Are you sure?"" Daniel asked.
Susan Miller, the bank representative, spoke carefully.
"We have copies of the documents submitted to the bank. Your wife was listed as the receiving party.""
Daniel looked toward the staircase.
"Was my mother present when these documents were signed?""
"According to the paperwork, yes.""
"Did anyone verify her identity?""
"We conducted the required verification at the time. However, there are inconsistencies in the signatures.""
Daniel lowered his voice.
"What kind of inconsistencies?""
"The signature on the transfer authorization doesn't match several older documents we have on file.""
His fingers tightened around the phone.
"Has the money already been transferred?""
"Most of it.""
Daniel closed his eyes.
"Where?""
"I can't disclose every detail until we complete our investigation, but the funds were transferred into an account associated with Vanessa Carter.""
He looked at his mother again.
Evelyn was stirring her tea.
The same woman who had once sold her wedding ring to pay for his education had apparently been stripped of her savings inside his own home.
"Freeze the account," Daniel said.
"We've placed a temporary restriction on the remaining funds. We also recommend that Mrs. Carter visit a branch with identification.""
"She will.""
"And Mr. Carter?""
"Yes?""
"If your mother did not authorize those transfers, please don't confront anyone until we have secured the relevant records.""
Daniel glanced toward the hallway.
"You're too late for that.""
He ended the call.
Evelyn looked up.
"Was something wrong?""
Daniel sat opposite her.
"Mom, I need you to answer something honestly.""
She put down her spoon.
"All right.""
"Did you sign any papers giving Vanessa access to your savings?""
Evelyn's face went pale.
"No.""
"Did you ever agree to give her your money?""
"No, Daniel.""
"Did you give her permission to move any of it?""
Her hands began to shake.
"She said she needed my signature for the household insurance.""
Daniel stared at her.
"When?""
"Several months ago.""
"Did you read the papers?""
Evelyn looked embarrassed.
"I asked her what they were. She said it was nothing complicated. She told me you had already approved everything.""
Daniel's heart pounded.
"She told you I approved it?""
Evelyn nodded.
"I trusted her.""
Daniel reached across the table.
"Mom, did you ever receive any money from her afterward?""
"No.""
"Did she tell you your savings were safe?""
Evelyn looked away.
"She said I should be grateful that you allowed me to live here without paying rent.""
Daniel's face hardened.
"She said what?""
Evelyn began crying.
"She said food, electricity, water, and everything else cost money. She said I was using more than I contributed.""
Daniel pulled his chair closer.
"Mom, this house is mine. You don't owe anyone rent.""
"I know that now.""
Her voice was barely audible.
"But she made me feel as though I was taking something from you.""
Daniel wrapped his arms around her.
For the first time in years, he wished his father were still alive.
His father would have known exactly what to say.
Instead, Daniel could only hold his mother while she cried.
At 9:15 a.m., Vanessa entered the kitchen carrying her handbag.
She was dressed for shopping.
"Daniel, have you seen my car keys?""
He didn't answer.
She spotted Evelyn sitting at the table.
"Why are you still here? I thought you were going to rest.""
Daniel stood.
"We need to talk.""
Vanessa glanced at his expression.
"About what now?""
He placed the bank statement on the counter.
"What's this?""
She barely looked at it.
"Your mother's bank statement.""
"Why did you transfer her savings?""
Vanessa froze.
Only for a second.
Then she laughed.
"Is that what this is about?""
"One hundred and forty-six thousand dollars, Vanessa.""
She set her handbag down.
"Daniel, you don't understand.""
"Then explain it.""
"Your mother doesn't need that much money sitting in an account. She's old. She has no major expenses.""
"That's not your decision.""
"I was protecting the money.""
"By transferring it into your account?""
Vanessa folded her arms.
"Into our household finances.""
"Your bank account isn't our household.""
Her eyes narrowed.
"You're being insulting.""
Daniel picked up another document.
"This signature isn't hers.""
Vanessa snatched the paper.
"How would you know?""
"Because I've seen my mother sign her name for thirty-five years.""
"Maybe her handwriting changed.""
"Maybe.""
He watched her carefully.
"But the bank thinks something is wrong.""
Vanessa's expression changed.
"What bank?""
"Your mother's bank.""
"Why were you talking to them?""
"Because they called me about suspicious transactions.""
Vanessa looked at Evelyn.
"You called the bank?""
Evelyn shook her head.
"No, dear. I didn't.""
"Then who did?""
Daniel stepped between them.
"Don't question her.""
Vanessa laughed sharply.
"Unbelievable. You've turned against your own wife because your mother doesn't understand modern banking.""
"She understands that her money is missing.""
Vanessa threw the statement onto the counter.
"I moved it because someone had to be responsible. Your mother was spending money on unnecessary things.""
"What unnecessary things?""
"Her creams. Her supplements. Her little gifts for Ethan. Those expensive groceries she likes.""
Evelyn looked up.
"I haven't bought anything expensive.""
Vanessa rolled her eyes.
"Of course you haven't.""
Daniel felt something snap inside him.
"Get your things.""
Vanessa stared.
"What?""
"You're leaving this conversation until I understand exactly what happened.""
"Are you kicking me out?""
"I'm telling you not to speak to my mother like that.""
Vanessa picked up her handbag.
"You've lost your mind.""
She walked toward the stairs.
Then she stopped.
"By the way, since we're discussing money, perhaps you should ask your mother about the other account.""
Daniel frowned.
"What other account?""
Vanessa smiled.
For the first time that morning, she looked completely confident.
"The one your father left behind.""
Evelyn suddenly stood.
"Vanessa, please.""
Daniel turned toward his mother.
"What is she talking about?""
Evelyn's face had lost all its color.
Vanessa looked between them.
"Oh, you didn't know?""
"Know what?"" Daniel demanded.
Vanessa adjusted the strap of her handbag.
"Your father didn't leave your mother just her pension and those little savings. He left her an investment account.""
Daniel stared.
"How much?""
Vanessa shrugged.
"Ask your mother.""
Evelyn lowered herself back into the chair.
Daniel knelt beside her.
"Mom?""
She covered her face.
"I'm sorry.""
"Why are you apologizing?""
"Your father made me promise not to tell anyone.""
Daniel looked up.
"Not even me?""
Evelyn shook her head.
"He wanted it to be yours one day. He said it should remain untouched until you truly needed it.""
Vanessa laughed from the doorway.
"Well, someone certainly needed it.""
Daniel stood slowly.
"Did you access that account too?""
Vanessa didn't answer.
"Vanessa.""
She lifted her chin.
"You should be careful about throwing accusations around.""
"Did you?""
"Your mother gave me permission to help manage the family finances.""
Evelyn shook her head.
"No, I didn't.""
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
"Think carefully before you answer that.""
Daniel stepped toward her.
"Don't threaten my mother.""
Vanessa grabbed her handbag.
"Fine. I have an appointment. We can continue this when you've calmed down.""
She left through the kitchen door.
Daniel immediately helped Evelyn sit comfortably.
Then he called his father's old attorney, Richard Hayes.
Richard answered on the third ring.
"Daniel? It's been a while.""
"I need your help. It's about my father's estate.""
The attorney became serious.
"What happened?""
"Vanessa says my father left another investment account. One that my mother was supposed to keep untouched.""
There was a long silence.
Then Richard asked, "Did your wife mention the trust?""
Daniel frowned.
"What trust?""
Richard exhaled.
"Your father established a private family trust shortly before he died. He specifically instructed me to contact you if anyone attempted to access it improperly.""
Daniel looked toward Evelyn.
"How much money are we talking about?""
Richard paused.
"Daniel, I think you should come to my office today.""
"Just tell me.""
"Your father left approximately $1.8 million in that trust.""
Daniel stopped breathing for a moment.
Richard continued.
"And there's something else you need to know.""
"What?""
"The trust contains a condition that your father insisted upon. If anyone attempts to obtain the funds through deception, the entire arrangement changes.""
Daniel gripped the phone.
"What condition?""
Richard lowered his voice.
"Your father named someone else as the emergency beneficiary.""
Daniel looked at his mother.
"Who?""
Richard answered with five words.
"Your son, Ethan Carter.""
At that moment, Daniel heard a door slam upstairs.
Then Vanessa screamed from the hallway.
"YOU HAD NO RIGHT TO CALL THAT LAWYER!""
Daniel slowly turned.
May you like
She had been listening.
And judging by the look on her face, she knew exactly what his father had written into that trust.
