Chapter 5 - THE DEAD MOTHER’S SIGNATURE HAD BEEN USED BEFOREThe forged acknowledgment was not an isolated form.
Dr. Monroe’s audit found three more.
All supposedly signed by Laura Bennett.
One dated six months after her death.
One dated two years after.
The most recent dated eleven days earlier.
Each acknowledged that Emma’s parents had been informed about a bullying complaint.
Each waived further review.
Someone had been using Laura’s name repeatedly.
Emma’s father was called.
Michael Bennett arrived pale and furious.
When Dr. Monroe showed him the forms, he sat down.
“That’s my wife’s handwriting.”
Emma looked at him.
“What?”
He touched the signature.
“Almost.”
His face changed.
“It’s copied from her old school registration forms.”
Everyone stared.
Ridgemont had archived records from when Laura was alive.
Someone had access.
Someone copied her signature.
Then Emma asked:
“Why not fake Dad’s?”
Dr. Monroe answered.
“Because your father might receive a verification notice.”
Emma understood.
Dead people don’t answer emails.
Laura Bennett had been the perfect signature.
May you like
That thought made Emma sick.
Someone had turned her mother’s death into administrative convenience.
