Chapter 5: The Woman Who Had Already Buried My Mother
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
My mother was lying three feet away from me.
Alive.
Breathing.
And someone had submitted paperwork declaring her dead.
"That's impossible," I finally said.
"I agree," Eleanor replied.
"But the document was submitted.""
"Who issued it?""
"It appears to have originated from a private medical facility.""
I looked at my mother's hospital bracelet.
"She's never been admitted anywhere else.""
"That's what I suspected. I contacted the hospital where she's currently receiving treatment. They confirmed she's alive and receiving care.""
"Then why hasn't anyone stopped this?""
"Because the document was submitted as part of a property transaction, and the discrepancy was only discovered during verification.""
I rubbed my forehead.
"How much time do we have?""
"Not much. The transfer has been flagged, but someone is trying to move the property into another company.""
"Westbridge Holdings?""
"Yes.""
Daniel's company.
I glanced toward Lily.
She was watching me from the chair, her hands folded in her lap.
"Mrs. Grant, I need you to come here.""
"I'll be there within the hour.""
Before hanging up, she added, "Marcus, bring every document you found. And don't tell your brother that I've contacted you.""
I promised I wouldn't.
Then I called Robert.
He listened without interrupting.
When I finished, he said, "This is beyond a family dispute now.""
"I know.""
"Have you contacted the police?""
"Not yet.""
"Do that immediately. And preserve the original footage.""
I looked at my mother.
"I will.""
After ending the call, I went downstairs to find Patricia.
She was standing near the medication cabinet, holding a clipboard.
"Patricia, I need to ask you something.""
She looked exhausted.
"Of course.""
"Did Vanessa ever ask you to change my mother's medical records?""
Her face went pale.
I stepped closer.
"Patricia?""
She looked toward the corridor.
Then she whispered, "She asked me to sign something.""
"What?""
"A statement saying your mother had suffered severe cognitive decline before surgery.""
"Why?""
"She said it was for insurance.""
"Did you sign it?""
"No.""
"Why not?""
Patricia swallowed.
"Because it wasn't true.""
I stared at her.
"What exactly did Vanessa want you to say?""
"That your mother was no longer capable of making independent decisions.""
I thought about the property documents.
The supposed power of attorney.
The false death certificate.
They weren't separate incidents.
They were pieces of the same plan.
"Did Daniel know?""
"I don't know.""
"Patricia, I need the truth.""
She lowered her eyes.
"Your wife offered me money.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"How much?""
"Five thousand dollars.""
"For what?""
"To confirm that your mother had been confused during the week before her surgery.""
"Did you accept?""
"No.""
"Did anyone else?""
Patricia hesitated.
Then she opened the clipboard.
A folded envelope was tucked beneath several medical forms.
"I found this in the staff room.""
She handed it to me.
Inside was a bank transfer receipt.
Five thousand dollars.
The recipient's name was Patricia's.
But the transfer had been rejected.
Beneath the receipt was a handwritten note.
*You will receive the rest after the house is transferred. Keep your mouth shut.*
No signature.
But I recognized the handwriting.
Vanessa's.
I photographed everything.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?""
Patricia's eyes filled with tears.
"Because I was afraid. I have two children. Vanessa told me she knew where they went to school.""
I stared at her.
"She threatened your children?""
Patricia nodded.
I put the note into an envelope.
"You're not alone in this anymore.""
She looked at me.
"Marcus, there's something I haven't told you.""
I waited.
"Yesterday, I heard your mother talking to someone.""
"Who?""
"Your brother.""
"What did she say?""
Patricia took a shaky breath.
"She asked him why he had taken the money.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What money?""
"She said your father had left something for Lily. Something Daniel wasn't supposed to touch.""
I stared at her.
"My father died eight years ago.""
"I know.""
"Did she say where it was?""
Patricia nodded slowly.
"She said something about a blue envelope.""
Before I could ask anything else, my phone rang.
Daniel.
I answered.
"What?""
His voice was unusually cheerful.
"Little brother. We need to talk.""
"About what?""
"Mom.""
"She's doing fine.""
"Good. Because I've been thinking about what happened earlier.""
I said nothing.
Daniel continued.
"I don't want this to become ugly.""
"Then tell me why your wife submitted a false death certificate.""
Silence.
A long, uncomfortable silence.
Then he laughed.
"Who told you that?""
"Does it matter?""
"Marcus, you're getting information from people who don't understand the situation.""
"Explain it to me.""
He sighed.
"Mom's house is an asset. The company needs liquidity. We were going to sell it and put the money into a trust.""
"Without telling me?""
"You're not the executor.""
"She's alive.""
"Obviously.""
"Then why was a death certificate submitted?""
His voice hardened.
"Listen carefully. You need to stop interfering.""
I glanced at Patricia.
She was listening.
Daniel continued.
"There's a lot you don't know about Dad's estate.""
I gripped the phone.
"What does Dad have to do with this?""
"Everything.""
"What are you talking about?""
He lowered his voice.
"Mom never told you about the account, did she?""
"What account?""
"The one Dad left for Lily.""
My blood went cold.
"Where is it?""
Daniel laughed softly.
"Ask your mother.""
"Daniel.""
"One more thing. Vanessa is coming to collect her belongings.""
"She's not welcome here.""
"She'll be there anyway.""
The call ended.
I stood motionless.
Then I heard a small voice behind me.
"Grandma has the blue envelope.""
I turned.
Lily was standing in the doorway.
"What?""
She looked frightened.
"She told me about it.""
"When?""
"Last night.""
I knelt in front of her.
"What did Grandma say?""
Lily wiped her nose.
"She said Grandpa left me something, but I wasn't supposed to tell anyone until I turned eighteen.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"Did she tell you where it was?""
Lily nodded.
"She said it was hidden where Grandpa kept his favorite photograph.""
I knew exactly where that was.
The old wooden clock in my mother's bedroom.
The clock my father had repaired every Christmas.
But before I could move, Lily grabbed my hand.
"Dad?""
May you like
"Yes?""
"Vanessa already knows about it.""
