Chapter 4: The Policy With My Name on It
For a moment, I couldn't hear anything.
The conference room was filled with people, but their voices seemed to disappear beneath the pounding of my heartbeat.
A life insurance policy.
My life insurance policy.
I looked at Vanessa, waiting for her to explain that she had misunderstood something.
"How much?"" I whispered.
She swallowed.
"Two million dollars.""
My knees weakened.
Mr. Bennett immediately pulled out a chair.
"Sit down, Nia.""
I lowered myself into it, one hand gripping the edge of the table.
Daniel was still being held back by security.
"She's lying!"" he shouted.
"Vanessa is trying to destroy me because I ended our relationship!""
Vanessa flinched.
Then she reached into her purse and removed a folded document.
"I have the original application.""
Mr. Bennett took it.
"Where did you get this?""
"I processed it through an insurance broker Daniel introduced me to. He said the policy was part of a financial protection plan for the family.""
I looked at the document.
My full legal name appeared at the top.
*Insured Person: Eleanor Nia Whitmore.*
Below it was Daniel's name.
*Primary Beneficiary: Daniel Whitmore.*
I read the figures twice.
Coverage: $2,000,000.
Effective date: October 12.
My signature appeared at the bottom.
It looked almost perfect.
Almost.
The same extra loop in the letter N.
The same mistake Daniel had made on the company expense forms.
"Was I supposed to have a medical examination?"" I asked.
Vanessa nodded.
"Yes. But Daniel said you had already completed one through your previous employer.""
"I've never had a medical examination for a life insurance policy.""
Daniel shook his head violently.
"That is not what happened.""
I turned toward him.
"Then tell me what happened.""
He opened his mouth.
Mr. Bennett interrupted.
"Daniel, I strongly advise you not to make any further statements until legal counsel is present.""
Daniel ignored him.
"Nia, listen to me. I was trying to protect our family.""
I stared at him.
"By insuring my life for two million dollars?""
"You're pregnant. Anything can happen.""
"Then why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I knew you'd overreact!""
I felt something inside me break.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
It was the quiet realization that the man standing in front of me had become a stranger.
Mr. Bennett examined the application.
"Who is the insurance provider?""
Vanessa gave him the name.
"Meridian Life.""
Patricia immediately took out her phone.
"I know their regional compliance director. I'll contact them.""
Daniel's face changed.
"There's no need to involve outside companies.""
Mr. Bennett looked at him.
"An insurance application bearing a potentially forged signature is absolutely a reason to involve them.""
Daniel lowered his voice.
"Can we discuss this without my wife?""
I laughed once.
It was a terrible sound.
"Without your wife? You used my name, my signature, and my life. I think I'm entitled to be here.""
Nobody disagreed.
Then Vanessa placed another sheet on the table.
"This is the beneficiary change request.""
I looked down.
The document had been submitted only nine days earlier.
The original beneficiary designation had listed our unborn child through a trust arrangement.
The new document removed that arrangement.
Daniel was now listed as the sole beneficiary.
My mouth went dry.
"Why did you change it?""
Daniel rubbed his face.
"The financial adviser recommended it.""
"Which financial adviser?""
He didn't answer.
Vanessa did.
"His name is Gregory Shaw. He works with Daniel's personal accounts.""
Mr. Bennett wrote down the name.
"Did Gregory know Nia hadn't signed these documents?""
Vanessa hesitated.
"I don't know.""
Daniel suddenly stopped struggling.
He looked at her.
"Be careful.""
She stared at him.
"I'm done being careful.""
I noticed her hands shaking.
"Vanessa," I asked, "did Daniel ever tell you why he needed this policy?""
She looked at the floor.
"He said there were debts.""
"What debts?""
"Private debts. He said he had borrowed money from people who weren't patient anymore.""
Daniel shouted, "That's enough!""
Mr. Bennett motioned to security.
"Take him to a separate room. He is not to access company systems or contact employees involved in this investigation.""
Two officers escorted him out.
As he passed me, Daniel stopped.
"Nia.""
I didn't look up.
"Please.""
His voice was different now.
No arrogance.
No microphone.
No audience to impress.
Just desperation.
"We can fix this.""
I finally raised my eyes.
"You should have thought about that before you signed my name.""
The door closed behind him.
For several minutes, I remained motionless.
Then my phone rang.
The screen showed an unfamiliar number.
I almost ignored it.
But something made me answer.
"Hello?""
A man's voice came through.
"Mrs. Whitmore? This is Michael from Meridian Life's fraud investigation department.""
I straightened.
"Yes.""
"We received an internal notification regarding your policy application. Before I proceed, I need to verify something.""
"Go ahead.""
"Did you personally authorize a two-million-dollar life insurance policy naming your husband as beneficiary?""
"No.""
A pause followed.
Then he asked another question.
"Did you attend a medical appointment at Westlake Medical Center on October 8?""
My stomach tightened.
"No. Why?""
I heard papers moving.
"Mrs. Whitmore, the application includes a medical assessment report bearing your name. The report indicates that you were examined on that date.""
I looked at Vanessa.
She had gone pale.
Michael continued.
"And there's something else you should know.""
"What?""
"The medical examiner recorded a diagnosis that may have affected the policy approval.""
I gripped the phone.
"What diagnosis?""
His voice dropped.
"According to this report, you were diagnosed with a serious cardiac condition.""
I stared at the wall.
I had never been diagnosed with a heart condition.
Never.
And suddenly I understood that Daniel hadn't merely forged my signature.
Someone had impersonated me at a medical appointment.
Someone had created an entire medical history under my name.
Michael continued.
"Mrs. Whitmore, I strongly recommend that you contact your physician and local authorities. Because the person who completed this assessment may have submitted information that puts you at considerable risk.""
I slowly looked toward the conference room door.
Daniel had been removed.
But somebody else was still out there.
May you like
Somebody who knew exactly how to make me look medically unwell.
And that person had access to my private information.
