Chapter 5: The Woman Who Knew About My Husband's Will
For several seconds, Daniel didn't move.
The company account contained the money needed to pay twenty-three employees, cover the office lease, and keep the business operating through the end of the month.
If the bank refused to release the funds, people who had nothing to do with Vanessa or Marcus could lose their jobs.
And someone had apparently used Daniel's identity to make it happen.
"Get me the bank manager," Daniel told Sophie.
"I'm trying. They're asking for a written statement before they'll discuss anything.""
"Then send one.""
Sophie nodded and hurried away.
Daniel turned to me.
"I didn't request that freeze.""
"I know.""
"Someone wants it to look like I'm deliberately shutting down my own company.""
I glanced at the papers scattered across the table.
"Could Marcus have arranged it?""
"Possibly. Or someone using my credentials.""
He paced toward the window, then turned abruptly.
"I need to find the lawyer who handled Dad's estate.""
"Why?""
"Because I want to know why his name is on a document that could transfer my company to a consulting firm Vanessa registered.""
I hesitated.
"Your father left everything to you and me. We settled the estate. There was nothing complicated about it.""
"I remember.""
Daniel picked up the transfer agreement.
"But maybe there's something we never knew about.""
The thought made my skin prickle.
Robert had been a careful man. He kept every receipt, every tax return, and every insurance policy in labeled folders in his study. He had hated surprises, especially when money was involved.
If he had left something unfinished, I would have known.
Or so I believed.
Daniel called the law firm and asked for the attorney who had handled Robert's estate.
After two transfers, a receptionist told him that Mr. Whitmore was no longer with the firm but still maintained a private practice.
She gave him a number.
He called immediately.
A woman answered.
"Whitmore Legal Services. How may I help you?""
"This is Daniel Carter. My father was Robert Carter. You handled his estate six years ago.""
There was a pause.
"Yes, Mr. Carter. I remember your family.""
Daniel looked at me.
"I need to speak to Mr. Whitmore about a document that appears to have been prepared in connection with his previous work.""
"Can you tell me what kind of document?""
"An agreement involving my business and a company called Westbridge Consulting.""
The silence on the line lasted long enough for me to hear a faint rustling sound.
Then the woman said, "Mr. Carter, I think it would be best if you came to the office.""
"Why?""
"Because I don't believe this matter should be discussed over the telephone.""
Daniel's jaw tightened.
"Does Mr. Whitmore know something about Westbridge Consulting?""
"I can't answer that.""
"Can he see me today?""
"Eleven o'clock.""
Daniel agreed and ended the call.
I looked at the clock.
It was barely nine.
"Do you want me to come with you?"" I asked.
He shook his head.
"Stay here. I need you to look through Dad's old papers. If there's anything we missed, I want to know.""
I thought of the small wooden cabinet in my study, where I had kept Robert's important documents after his death.
"All right.""
Daniel squeezed my hand.
"And Mom?""
"Yes?""
"Don't answer any calls from Vanessa. If she contacts you, save the messages.""
I nodded.
He returned to his office, and I drove home.
The moment I entered my house, I went straight to the study.
Robert's papers were exactly where I had left them. His handwriting labeled each folder in neat block letters.
*TAX RETURNS.*
*LIFE INSURANCE.*
*PROPERTY DEEDS.*
I pulled out the folder marked *WILL AND ESTATE*.
Inside were the original will, the probate documents, a copy of the death certificate, and a letter from Mr. Whitmore confirming that the estate had been settled.
Everything appeared normal.
Then I noticed a thin envelope tucked into the back pocket.
My name was written on the front.
Not Evelyn Carter.
Just Evelyn.
I recognized Robert's handwriting immediately.
My fingers went cold.
He had died six years earlier. I had read every document he left behind, and I had never seen this envelope.
Why hadn't I noticed it before?
I sat at the desk and carefully opened it.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
My darling Evelyn,
If you're reading this, then something has happened that I hoped we would never have to face.
There is one matter I have kept from you because I believed it was settled. I may have been wrong.
Years ago, I entered into a private financial arrangement with a man I believed I could trust. The arrangement was intended to protect Daniel's future, but I discovered irregularities before I became ill.
I asked Whitmore to investigate. He advised me to wait until I had more evidence.
I ran out of time.
I stopped reading.
The room seemed to tilt around me.
Robert had been ill for nearly a year before he died. He had never told me about a private financial arrangement. I remembered his late-night phone calls, the locked drawer in his desk, and the way he sometimes fell silent when I asked about his business affairs.
I had thought it was stress.
I continued.
If anyone approaches Daniel about a transfer of ownership, an inheritance, or a company called Westbridge, do not sign anything. Do not agree to anything. Contact Whitmore directly.
There may be people who believe they are entitled to something that belongs to our family. They may even believe they have a legal claim.
But a claim is not the same as the truth.
I love you both more than I can say.
Robert.
I read the letter twice.
Then a third time.
Westbridge.
The same company linked to the forged transfer agreement.
I picked up my phone and called Daniel.
He answered immediately.
"Mom?""
"I found something in your father's papers.""
I heard him move away from whatever conversation he had been having.
"What did you find?""
"A letter from your father. He mentions Westbridge Consulting.""
Silence.
Then Daniel said, "Read it to me.""
I did.
When I finished, he didn't speak for several seconds.
Finally, he whispered, "Dad knew.""
"Knew what?""
"That someone might try to take something from us.""
I looked down at the letter.
"He says he ran out of time.""
Daniel exhaled sharply.
"Mom, I need you to bring that letter to the lawyer's office. I'm leaving now.""
"What's happened?""
"The bank called again. They say the freeze was triggered by a claim against the company.""
"What kind of claim?""
"An ownership dispute.""
My hand tightened around the phone.
"Who's making the claim?""
He hesitated.
"Westbridge Consulting.""
I closed my eyes.
Robert had warned us about this company six years ago.
And somehow, it had returned.
At ten forty-five, I arrived at Whitmore Legal Services, a narrow brick building on a quiet street downtown.
Daniel was already waiting outside.
He looked as though the morning had aged him by ten years.
I handed him the letter.
He read it in silence, then folded it carefully and placed it inside his jacket.
"Let's find out what Dad knew.""
The receptionist led us into a small office lined with bookshelves and filing cabinets. An elderly man stood beside his desk, adjusting his glasses.
"Daniel," he said, extending his hand.
"Evelyn. It's been a long time.""
I recognized him immediately.
Peter Whitmore had handled Robert's will and helped us settle the estate. He had visited our house twice during the months after Robert died.
He had always seemed kind.
Now, as he read the letter Robert had left me, his expression grew increasingly troubled.
"Where did you find this?"" he asked.
"In my husband's estate folder," I replied.
"Why?""
Whitmore sat down.
"Robert asked me to investigate a financial arrangement shortly before his death. He was concerned that a former associate had been using his name to secure investments.""
"Who?"" Daniel demanded.
Whitmore hesitated.
"His name was Thomas Reed.""
Daniel frowned.
"Reed?""
"Yes.""
"Was he related to Marcus Reed?""
Whitmore removed his glasses.
"Marcus is Thomas's son.""
The room went silent.
I felt Daniel's hand close around the back of a chair.
"You're telling me my business partner's father was involved in a financial dispute with mine?""
"I'm telling you that Robert believed Thomas Reed had made unauthorized claims against assets connected to your family.""
"Why didn't you tell us?""
Whitmore looked down.
"Your father asked me to keep the matter confidential until I could verify the records. After his death, I found insufficient evidence to pursue a claim. I believed the issue had ended.""
Daniel's voice sharpened.
"Then why is Westbridge trying to take control of my company?""
Whitmore opened a drawer and removed a thick file.
"Because there was a clause in an old investment agreement that I was never able to resolve.""
He placed the file on the desk.
"Robert invested in a private development project with Thomas Reed nearly twenty years ago. The project failed, but the agreement contained a provision allowing a successor company to claim a portion of certain future business assets if the original investment was not repaid.""
Daniel stared at him.
"Did Dad owe Thomas Reed money?""
"Your father disputed the claim. He believed the investment had already been settled.""
"And you let it go unresolved?""
Whitmore's face tightened.
"I advised your father to obtain additional records. He intended to do so after recovering from his illness.""
"But he died.""
"Yes.""
Daniel looked away.
I could see the anger rising in him, but beneath it was something more painful: the realization that his father's death might have left a door open for someone else to walk through.
Whitmore opened the file and pointed to a document.
"According to the agreement, any claim would have to be supported by original financial records and verified signatures. A forged transfer would not establish ownership.""
"Then we can fight it," Daniel said.
"Yes. But there is another problem.""
Whitmore removed a second document.
"Someone submitted a recent affidavit claiming that Robert acknowledged the outstanding debt shortly before his death.""
I leaned forward.
"That's impossible. My husband never told me about any debt.""
Whitmore looked at me carefully.
"The affidavit contains a witness statement from someone claiming to have been present when Robert signed the acknowledgment.""
Daniel stared at the page.
"Who is the witness?""
Whitmore turned it toward us.
At the bottom was a name.
Vanessa Carter.
I felt the room go cold.
My daughter-in-law had not merely been involved with Marcus.
She had signed a statement claiming to know something about my dead husband's private financial affairs.
Daniel looked as though he could barely breathe.
"Vanessa wasn't even part of our family when Dad died.""
"Correct," Whitmore replied.
"She claims she received the information from a source close to Robert.""
"Who?""
Whitmore shook his head.
"She refused to disclose the source.""
Daniel leaned over the desk.
"Is the affidavit valid?""
"That depends on whether the statement is true and whether the underlying claim can be substantiated.""
My son stared at the document for a long moment.
Then he asked the question that made Whitmore's expression change.
"Mr. Whitmore, did my father ever mention having another child?""
The lawyer went completely still.
He looked at me.
Then at Daniel.
May you like
And finally, he closed the file.
"There's something else you need to know about Robert Carter.""
