Chapter 2: The Signature That Wasn't Mine
"Everybody needs to calm down.""
Daniel's voice cut through the silence.
He placed the black folder behind his back as if hiding it could somehow erase what had just happened.
I remained seated.
My back hurt, my feet were swollen, and the baby was pressing against my ribs.
But I wasn't leaving.
Not this time.
"Daniel," Mr. Bennett said through my phone, "I asked you a question.""
Daniel looked toward the board members.
"Mr. Bennett, this is a private marital disagreement. My wife has been under considerable stress because of the pregnancy.""
I almost admired how quickly he returned to his favorite excuse.
He could be caught stealing, lying, or setting the building on fire, and somehow my pregnancy would become the explanation.
Vanessa stepped forward.
"Mr. Bennett, I'm sure there's been a misunderstanding. Nia has been emotional lately.""
I turned toward her.
"Do you always explain away missing money by blaming pregnant women?""
Her cheeks reddened.
"That's not what I meant.""
"Then explain what you meant.""
Daniel grabbed her elbow.
"Vanessa, stop talking.""
That small gesture told me more than a hundred photographs ever could.
He was protecting her.
Not his wife.
Not the mother of his unborn child.
Her.
Mr. Bennett spoke again.
"Nia, are you comfortable sharing what you have?""
"Yes.""
"Then I want you and Daniel in the conference room immediately. The other board members will join us.""
Daniel shook his head.
"That's unnecessary.""
Mr. Bennett replied coldly.
"Your promotion is already on hold. I suggest you cooperate.""
The call ended.
Daniel stared at me.
"You've lost your mind.""
I carefully pushed my chair backward.
"No, Daniel. I think I've finally found it.""
He leaned closer.
"You have no idea how much damage you're doing.""
"To whom?""
"To me!""
His voice rose.
Several guests turned.
I lowered my voice.
"That's interesting. You didn't seem concerned about damaging me when you humiliated me in front of everyone.""
He looked around, noticing the audience.
"Can we discuss this privately?""
"Now you want privacy?""
He clenched his jaw.
Vanessa stepped between us.
"Daniel, we should go.""
I looked at her.
"You're welcome to come. I'm sure the board will have questions for you, too.""
Her expression changed.
For the first time, she looked genuinely frightened.
We entered the conference room fifteen minutes later.
The room overlooked the city through floor-to-ceiling windows. A long mahogany table occupied the center, surrounded by leather chairs.
Five board members were already seated.
Mr. Bennett stood near the window.
He was sixty-three, silver-haired, and known for being unusually patient with employees.
That patience had apparently ended.
"Nia," he said, approaching me.
"Would you like some water?""
"Yes, please.""
He pulled out a chair for me.
Daniel watched the gesture with visible irritation.
"Before we begin," Daniel said, "I want to make it clear that my wife has no authority over company decisions.""
Mr. Bennett turned.
"Actually, Daniel, that's not entirely accurate.""
Daniel frowned.
"What does that mean?""
Mr. Bennett returned to his seat.
"It means we should establish exactly why your wife's name appears on these financial documents.""
I reached into my purse and removed a small envelope.
Inside were copies of three expense approvals.
I placed them on the table.
"These were submitted under my name," I explained.
"They authorize payments totaling $486,000.""
One board member, a woman named Patricia, adjusted her glasses.
"Four hundred eighty-six thousand dollars?""
"Yes.""
Daniel laughed nervously.
"Those are routine department expenses.""
I turned toward him.
"Really? Then why were they submitted using my signature?""
"Because you approved them.""
"I didn't.""
"You were involved in the early planning.""
"I was never employed by Whitmore Industries.""
Patricia looked at Daniel.
"Can you explain this?""
Daniel straightened his tie.
"My wife helped me with some administrative work at home. I probably asked her to sign a few documents.""
I stared at him.
"You never showed me these documents.""
"You're misremembering.""
I opened the envelope and removed another sheet.
"Then perhaps you'll remember this.""
It was a copy of an authorization dated four months earlier.
The document supposedly allowed a consulting company called Northbridge Solutions to receive $180,000 for operational strategy services.
The signature at the bottom was mine.
Except it wasn't.
I knew my signature better than anyone.
I had signed it thousands of times over the years.
The forged version had an extra loop in the letter N.
Daniel had made the same mistake on every document.
Mr. Bennett examined the page.
"Who is Northbridge Solutions?""
Daniel hesitated.
"A consulting partner.""
"Where are they based?""
"New York.""
"Who owns them?""
Daniel looked at Vanessa.
She immediately lowered her eyes.
Mr. Bennett noticed.
"Miss Cole?""
Vanessa swallowed.
"I handle the vendor correspondence.""
"Then you should know who owns the company.""
"I'd have to check.""
Patricia pushed the document toward Daniel.
"Four hundred eighty-six thousand dollars is not a minor accounting discrepancy.""
Daniel's expression hardened.
"This is getting absurd. I have worked for this company for eight years. I have delivered record results. You're going to question my integrity because my pregnant wife is upset with me?""
Mr. Bennett leaned forward.
"Your personal life is irrelevant. The documents are not.""
I took a breath.
"There is something else.""
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
"What now?""
I pulled out my phone and opened a folder containing screenshots.
For the past six months, I had been reviewing our household finances.
It started when our mortgage payment failed despite Daniel insisting he had transferred the money.
Then our savings account showed a withdrawal I couldn't explain.
When I asked him, he blamed a banking error.
I had eventually contacted our bank.
The withdrawals weren't errors.
They were transfers.
Repeated transfers.
I enlarged one screenshot and placed the phone in front of Mr. Bennett.
"This is the account receiving the payments.""
His eyes moved across the screen.
Then he stopped.
"Northbridge Solutions?""
I nodded.
"Yes.""
Daniel suddenly stood.
"That's enough.""
Mr. Bennett didn't look up.
"Sit down.""
"I said this is enough!""
Two security officers appeared at the doorway.
Daniel stared at them.
"Are you seriously doing this?""
Mr. Bennett folded his hands.
"Nobody is accusing you of a crime without an investigation. But you will not intimidate witnesses in this room.""
Vanessa was trembling.
I noticed her hand moving toward her purse.
She pulled out her phone and typed something quickly.
A moment later, mine vibrated.
An unknown number had sent me a message.
*Stop digging. You don't know who you're putting your baby in danger with.*
My stomach dropped.
I looked up.
Vanessa was staring directly at me.
I turned the phone toward Mr. Bennett.
He read the message.
His expression changed instantly.
"Who sent this?""
Before I could answer, Vanessa stood.
"I need to leave.""
Daniel grabbed her wrist.
"You're not going anywhere.""
She pulled free.
"Don't touch me.""
The entire room went silent again.
Mr. Bennett looked from Vanessa to Daniel.
"Miss Cole, I suggest you tell us everything you know.""
Vanessa's lips trembled.
Then she looked at me.
May you like
And whispered something that made my blood run cold.
"Nia, the money isn't the only thing he stole from you.""
