Chapter 4: The Signature That Wasn't Mine
I watched the security footage seven times.
Every time Daniel slipped that document beneath my mother's pillow, my stomach tightened.
*POWER OF ATTORNEY — MARCUS REED.*
My name.
My brother had somehow obtained a document giving him authority to act on my behalf, and I had never signed anything.
I immediately called Patricia.
"Did you see him put that document there?""
"Yes," she answered.
"Did you remove it?""
"No. I didn't want to touch anything before you saw the footage.""
"Is it still there?""
"I believe so.""
I grabbed my keys.
"Don't let anyone into that room.""
"Marcus, there's something else.""
I stopped.
"What?""
"Your brother came back after you left.""
My grip tightened around the phone.
"When?""
"About twenty minutes ago.""
"Why?""
"He said he needed to retrieve some personal documents.""
"Did you let him?""
"No. But he became very angry.""
I looked toward the staircase.
"Where is he now?""
"He's gone. But Marcus...""
"Yes?""
"He asked me whether your mother had started speaking clearly again.""
My blood ran cold.
"Why would he ask that?""
"I don't know. But he seemed frightened when I told him she was awake.""
I ended the call and went upstairs.
Lily was sitting beside Grandma's bed, holding her hand.
The moment I entered, she looked up.
"Did you find out who took everything?""
I nodded.
"Yes.""
"Was it Vanessa?""
I sat beside her.
"Vanessa and Uncle Daniel.""
Lily lowered her eyes.
"I knew it.""
I touched her shoulder.
"You knew?""
"I heard them arguing yesterday.""
"What did they say?""
She looked toward the bedroom door.
"Uncle Daniel said he needed the jewelry before the bank came looking for him.""
I stared at her.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because Vanessa said if I repeated what I heard, she'd tell everyone I was stealing from Grandma.""
I swallowed.
"What else?""
Lily hesitated.
"She said they needed Grandma to sign something.""
My eyes moved toward the pillow.
I carefully lifted it.
There was the document.
A folded packet containing a power of attorney, several financial authorizations, and a photocopy of my driver's license.
My signature appeared on the last page.
Except it wasn't my signature.
I knew immediately.
The letter M was too narrow. The final stroke of my surname was too long.
Someone had practiced copying my handwriting.
I photographed every page.
Then I called my attorney, Robert Hayes.
He answered while I was still examining the documents.
"Marcus. Everything okay?""
"No. I need you to look at something.""
I sent him the photographs.
He called back less than two minutes later.
"Where did you get these?""
"My mother's bedroom.""
His voice became serious.
"Do not sign anything. Do not give anyone access to these documents. And whatever you do, don't let your brother convince you that this is a routine family matter.""
"Is the document legitimate?""
"The document itself may be genuine. Your signature appears questionable, but I need the original to examine it.""
"What does it authorize?""
"Potentially, access to financial accounts, property transactions, and certain legal decisions, depending on the complete wording.""
I closed my eyes.
"Can Daniel use it?""
"Not without scrutiny. But if he's already submitted it somewhere, we need to act quickly.""
I looked at my mother.
"Robert, I think my brother is stealing her house.""
There was a pause.
Then Robert asked, "Has your mother recently changed her will?""
"That's what Daniel claims.""
"Did she meet with an independent attorney?""
"I don't know.""
"Find out.""
After ending the call, I sat beside my mother.
"Mom, I need you to wake up.""
Her eyelids fluttered.
"Marcus?""
"I'm here.""
She looked toward the dresser.
"The box...""
"I know, Mom.""
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Your father...""
I took her hand.
"His watch is safe. Lily has it.""
She looked confused.
"Daniel...""
I leaned closer.
"Mom, did Daniel make you sign something?""
Her fingers tightened around mine.
"Not willingly.""
My heart pounded.
"What did he do?""
She tried to speak, but her voice was weak.
"He said... it was for you.""
"For me?""
She nodded.
"Your name.""
I felt sick.
"Did he tell you I signed a power of attorney?""
My mother closed her eyes.
Then she shook her head.
"No.""
I gently brushed her hair away from her forehead.
"Mom, why didn't you tell me?""
Her lips trembled.
"Vanessa said... Lily would be taken away.""
I froze.
"What?""
My mother looked toward the doorway.
"She threatened...""
Her breathing became uneven.
I pressed the call button for the nurse.
"Mom, don't worry. You're safe.""
She gripped my hand with surprising strength.
"Don't trust...""
Her voice disappeared beneath the sound of the monitor.
"Who, Mom?""
She looked directly at me.
"Your brother.""
The nurse hurried inside.
"Marcus, please step back.""
I moved aside while she checked my mother's blood pressure.
My phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
I answered.
"Hello?""
A woman's voice spoke quietly.
"Mr. Reed, my name is Eleanor Grant. I'm your mother's estate attorney.""
I straightened.
"Daniel told me you prepared the new property documents.""
"I did not.""
The room seemed to tilt.
"What?""
"I prepared your mother's updated will six months ago. Nothing since then.""
"Someone transferred her house.""
"I know.""
"Who authorized it?""
Eleanor paused.
"That's why I've been trying to reach you.""
"Tell me.""
Her voice dropped.
"Three days ago, someone submitted a document claiming you had authorized the transfer.""
I looked at the forged signature on my phone.
"Was it Daniel?""
"No. The person who submitted it was your wife.""
Then Eleanor said something even worse.
"She also submitted a death certificate.""
I stopped breathing.
May you like
"Whose death certificate?""
"Your mother's.""
