Chapter 9: The Letter Thomas Never Gave Me

At six fifty-five, I entered the resort's private conference room with Helen beside me.

I had changed into six fifty-five, I entered the resort's private conference room with Helen beside me.

I had changed into a dark gray dress and tied my hair back. I didn't want Edward to mistake my grief for confusion a dark gray dress and tied my hair back. I didn't want Edward to mistake my grief for confusion or my age for weakness.

On the table sat a glass of water, a legal pad, and a folder containing copies or my age for weakness.

On the table sat a glass of water, a legal pad, and a folder containing copies of the corporate records we'd gathered.

The original estate papers remained at home of the corporate records we'd gathered.

The original estate papers remained at home, exactly where they'd been since Thomas's death.

Helen had insisted that I bring nothing Edward had requested.

At seven precisely, the door, exactly where they'd been since Thomas's death.

Helen had insisted that I bring nothing Edward had requested.

At seven precisely, the door opened.

Edward Pierce walked in carrying a slim leather portfolio.

His silver hair was neatly opened.

Edward Pierce walked in carrying a slim leather portfolio.

His silver hair was neatly combed, his navy suit immaculate. He looked almost exactly as he had at Thomas combed, his navy suit immaculate. He looked almost exactly as he had at Thomas's funeral, except that the years had deepened the lines around his mouth.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then he smiled sadly.

's funeral, except that the years had deepened the lines around his mouth.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then he smiled sadly.

“Margaret.””

“Edward.””

He glanced at Helen.

“I assume you're representing her in this matter.””

“I am,” Helen replied.

“Please take a seat“Margaret.””

“Edward.””

He glanced at Helen.

“I assume you're representing her in this matter.””

“I am,” Helen replied.

“Please take a seat.””

Edward sat opposite us and placed his portfolio on the table.

“I understand this has become distressing.””

“Distressing?”” I repeated.

He lowered his eyes.

“I.””

Edward sat opposite us and placed his portfolio on the table.

“I understand this has become distressing.””

“Distressing?”” I repeated.

He lowered his eyes.

“I know how it must look.””

“Then explain how it looks from your perspective.””

He folded know how it must look.””

“Then explain how it looks from your perspective.””

He folded his hands.

“The new company was intended to provide a structure for managing certain assets. There was never his hands.

“The new company was intended to provide a structure for managing certain assets. There was never any intention to take anything from you.””

“Why was a company bearing my name registered without my knowledge?””

“It any intention to take anything from you.””

“Why was a company bearing my name registered without my knowledge?””

“It was a preliminary arrangement.””

“Why was Daniel's money transferred into its account?””

Edward paused.

“That transaction wasn't was a preliminary arrangement.””

“Why was Daniel's money transferred into its account?””

Edward paused.

“That transaction wasn't supposed to happen in the way it did.””

Helen leaned forward.

“What way supposed to happen in the way it did.””

Helen leaned forward.

“What way was it supposed to happen?””

Edward glanced at her.

“I'd rather explain the broader arrangement first.””

“We was it supposed to happen?””

Edward glanced at her.

“I'd rather explain the broader arrangement first.””

“We'll discuss the transaction and the arrangement separately,” Helen said.

“Please answer'll discuss the transaction and the arrangement separately,” Helen said.

“Please answer the question.””

His jaw tightened.

“The company was meant to receive funds associated with a proposed family investment the question.””

His jaw tightened.

“The company was meant to receive funds associated with a proposed family investment structure.””

“Whose funds?”” I asked.

“Initially, there was discussion of using a contribution structure.””

“Whose funds?”” I asked.

“Initially, there was discussion of using a contribution from Daniel and Vanessa.””

“Was that contribution authorized by both account holders?””

Edward looked at me.

“I was from Daniel and Vanessa.””

“Was that contribution authorized by both account holders?””

Edward looked at me.

“I was told they had agreed.””

Daniel had told us he hadn't authorized the transfer.

Helen wrote told they had agreed.””

Daniel had told us he hadn't authorized the transfer.

Helen wrote something down.

“Who told you that?””

Edward hesitated.

“Vanessa.””

“Did you verify it?””

“No.””

The answer came something down.

“Who told you that?””

Edward hesitated.

“Vanessa.””

“Did you verify it?””

“No.””

The answer came too quickly to be reassuring.

I leaned back.

“So you established a company using my name, accepted money too quickly to be reassuring.

I leaned back.

“So you established a company using my name, accepted money that may have been transferred without one account holder's authorization, and prepared documents concerning my financial affairs without speaking to me.””

“When that may have been transferred without one account holder's authorization, and prepared documents concerning my financial affairs without speaking to me.””

“When you put it that way—”

“How else should I put it?””

Edward's expression hardened you put it that way—”

“How else should I put it?””

Edward's expression hardened.

“Margaret, I've known you for twenty-five years. I knew Thomas before you and.

“Margaret, I've known you for twenty-five years. I knew Thomas before you and I worked together. I helped you keep the business afloat after he I worked together.

I helped you keep the business afloat after he died. You know I would never deliberately hurt you.””

I thought of Thomas's funeral died. You know I would never deliberately hurt you.””

I thought of Thomas's funeral, Edward standing beside me as the mourners left the church.

I'd trusted him because, Edward standing beside me as the mourners left the church.

I'd trusted him because he had been there when I needed someone.

But being present during someone's he had been there when I needed someone.

But being present during someone's grief didn't give a person permanent ownership of their trust.

“Then you should have had grief didn't give a person permanent ownership of their trust.

“Then you should have had no trouble asking for my permission,” I said.

He looked away.

For several seconds, the only no trouble asking for my permission,” I said.

He looked away.

For several seconds, the only sound in the room was the air conditioning.

Then Edward opened his portfolio.

“I brought something I think sound in the room was the air conditioning.

Then Edward opened his portfolio.

“I brought something I think you should see.””

He removed a cream-colored envelope.

My name was written across the front in Thomas's unmistak you should see.””

He removed a cream-colored envelope.

My name was written across the front in Thomas's unmistakable handwriting.

I stopped breathing for a moment.

I knew that handwriting better than my own. Iable handwriting.

I stopped breathing for a moment.

I knew that handwriting better than my own. I recognized the slight slant of the letters, the heavy downstroke on the M, the way recognized the slight slant of the letters, the heavy downstroke on the M, the way he always crossed his t's too high.

I reached toward it.

Helen he always crossed his t's too high.

I reached toward it.

Helen gently placed her hand on the table.

“Before Mrs. Whitmore accepts that document, please gently placed her hand on the table.

“Before Mrs. Whitmore accepts that document, please explain its origin.””

Edward nodded.

“Thomas gave it to me during explain its origin.””

Edward nodded.

“Thomas gave it to me during the final months of his illness. He told me to keep it safe until a particular financial arrangement the final months of his illness. He told me to keep it safe until a particular financial arrangement became necessary.””

“What arrangement?”” I asked.

“He said it might become relevant if the family became necessary.””

“What arrangement?”” I asked.

“He said it might become relevant if the family ever faced a significant financial crisis.””

I stared at the envelope.

“Why didn't you give ever faced a significant financial crisis.””

I stared at the envelope.

“Why didn't you give it to me when Thomas died?””

“Because he instructed me not to.””

“Did he say when I should receive it to me when Thomas died?””

“Because he instructed me not to.””

“Did he say when I should receive it?””

Edward hesitated.

“He said I should use my judgment.””

Helen's voice remained firm.

“That is a very different instruction from a specific condition. Do it?””

Edward hesitated.

“He said I should use my judgment.””

Helen's voice remained firm.

“That is a very different instruction from a specific condition. Do you have any written record of what Thomas told you?””

“No.””

“Any witness?””

“No.””

“Any documentation establishing that you you have any written record of what Thomas told you?””

“No.””

“Any witness?””

“No.””

“Any documentation establishing that you were authorized to retain this envelope?””

Edward shook his head.

I looked at the envelope again.

“ were authorized to retain this envelope?””

Edward shook his head.

I looked at the envelope again.

“May I see it?””

Helen nodded.

Edward slid it across the table.

The paper feltMay I see it?””

Helen nodded.

Edward slid it across the table.

The paper felt fragile beneath my fingertips.

I didn't open it immediately.

Instead, I studied Thomas's handwriting fragile beneath my fingertips.

I didn't open it immediately.

Instead, I studied Thomas's handwriting, remembering the last time I'd seen him write a letter by hand. He'd been sitting at, remembering the last time I'd seen him write a letter by hand. He'd been sitting at our kitchen table, wearing an old blue sweater, complaining that his fingers were too stiff to hold our kitchen table, wearing an old blue sweater, complaining that his fingers were too stiff to hold a pen comfortably.

I'd told him to dictate the letter to me.

He'd refused.

“Some things,” he'd said, “ a pen comfortably.

I'd told him to dictate the letter to me.

He'd refused.

“Some things,” he'd said, “should come directly from the person who means them.””

At the time, I hadn't asked whatshould come directly from the person who means them.””

At the time, I hadn't asked what he meant.

Now I carefully opened the envelope.

Inside was a folded sheet of paper.

The first line made my eyes sting.

he meant.

Now I carefully opened the envelope.

Inside was a folded sheet of paper.

The first line made my eyes sting.

Margaret, if you're reading this, I hope I've been goneMargaret, if you're reading this, I hope I've been gone long enough for the world to have become a little gent long enough for the world to have become a little gentler with you.*

I pressed my lips together and continued.

There are two things I want you to rememberler with you.

I pressed my lips together and continued.

*There are two things I want you to remember. First, you are more capable than you believe. Second, love is not a contract that obligates you.

First, you are more capable than you believe. Second, love is not a contract that obligates you to sacrifice yourself for everyone you love.*

I stopped reading.

For a moment, the room disappeared.

to sacrifice yourself for everyone you love.*

I stopped reading.

For a moment, the room disappeared.

I could almost hear Thomas's voice, warm and dry, telling me that I hadI could almost hear Thomas's voice, warm and dry, telling me that I had a habit of carrying everyone's burdens until I forgot which ones belonged to me.

I a habit of carrying everyone's burdens until I forgot which ones belonged to me.

I wiped my eyes and continued.

*If our business grows as we hope, there wiped my eyes and continued.

If our business grows as we hope, there may come a time when people approach you with plans that sound generous but require may come a time when people approach you with plans that sound generous but require you to surrender control. Be careful of anyone who insists that family loyalty you to surrender control. Be careful of anyone who insists that family loyalty demands a signature.

My hands began to tremble.

Edward sat motionless.

The letter demands a signature.*

My hands began to tremble.

Edward sat motionless.

The letter continued.

*I have arranged for our estate attorney to retain the final documents governing my shares and your independent holdings. No one should need to pressure you into changing those continued.

I have arranged for our estate attorney to retain the final documents governing my shares and your independent holdings. No one should need to pressure you into changing those arrangements. If you ever feel that you must sign something to preserve arrangements. If you ever feel that you must sign something to preserve peace in the family, wait until you have spoken to someone who has no financial interest in your decision.

I looked up at Edward.

“You knew he wrote this?””

“Yes.””

“ peace in the family, wait until you have spoken to someone who has no financial interest in your decision.*

I looked up at Edward.

“You knew he wrote this?””

“Yes.””

“Did you read it?””

“I was instructed not to open it.””

“ThenDid you read it?””

“I was instructed not to open it.””

“Then how did you know what it contained?””

He shifted in his chair.

“Thomas how did you know what it contained?””

He shifted in his chair.

“Thomas discussed his concerns with me.””

“What concerns?””

Edward's eyes moved toward the window.

“He was worried that Daniel might struggle with discussed his concerns with me.””

“What concerns?””

Edward's eyes moved toward the window.

“He was worried that Daniel might struggle with money when he grew older. He wanted to ensure you could help him without compromising your own security.””

I money when he grew older. He wanted to ensure you could help him without compromising your own security.””

I looked down at the letter again.

There was one final paragraph.

*Edward knows looked down at the letter again.

There was one final paragraph.

*Edward knows where the original records are kept. If he ever tells you that I instructed him to change your financial arrangements where the original records are kept. If he ever tells you that I instructed him to change your financial arrangements without your direct approval, ask him to show you the signed authority.

If he cannot, do not proceed without your direct approval, ask him to show you the signed authority. If he cannot, do not proceed.*

I read the paragraph twice.

Then I placed the letter on the table.

Helen's expression had.*

I read the paragraph twice.

Then I placed the letter on the table.

Helen's expression had become unreadable.

“Edward,” she said, “do you have a signed authority from Thomas permitting become unreadable.

“Edward,” she said, “do you have a signed authority from Thomas permitting you to alter Margaret's financial arrangements?””

“No.””

“Do you have any legal authority to act on her behalf?””

“No.””

“Did you to alter Margaret's financial arrangements?””

“No.””

“Do you have any legal authority to act on her behalf?””

“No.””

“Did you represent to Vanessa or Daniel that you could arrange for Margaret to transfer control of you represent to Vanessa or Daniel that you could arrange for Margaret to transfer control of her assets?””

Edward rubbed his forehead.

“I explained what might be possible if Margaret her assets?””

Edward rubbed his forehead.

“I explained what might be possible if Margaret agreed.””

“That isn't what I asked.””

He looked at me.

“Yes. I told Vanessa that a family management agreed.””

“That isn't what I asked.””

He looked at me.

“Yes. I told Vanessa that a family management structure could be arranged.””

“Did you tell her that I had agreed?””

“No.””

“Did you tell her that Thomas structure could be arranged.””

“Did you tell her that I had agreed?””

“No.””

“Did you tell her that Thomas wanted her to manage my finances?””

Edward looked down.

“I may have said that Thomas wanted the family to remain wanted her to manage my finances?””

Edward looked down.

“I may have said that Thomas wanted the family to remain financially secure.””

“That is not the same thing.””

“I know.””

I studied him.

For the first time that evening, Edward looked old financially secure.””

“That is not the same thing.””

“I know.””

I studied him.

For the first time that evening, Edward looked old.

Not frail, exactly, but diminished. The confidence that had carried.

Not frail, exactly, but diminished. The confidence that had carried him through decades of business negotiations seemed to have drained away.

“Why did you do it?”” I asked.

him through decades of business negotiations seemed to have drained away.

“Why did you do it?”” I asked.

He took a long breath.

“Because I thought I could solveHe took a long breath.

“Because I thought I could solve several problems at once.””

“Whose problems?””

“Daniel's financial situation. Vanessa's concerns. The complications in the business.””

“What complications?””

He hesitated.

Helen several problems at once.””

“Whose problems?””

“Daniel's financial situation. Vanessa's concerns. The complications in the business.””

“What complications?””

He hesitated.

Helen immediately leaned forward.

“Please be specific.””

Edward opened his portfolio again and removed another document.

“This is a preliminary proposal for reorganizing certain investment interests. It was never immediately leaned forward.

“Please be specific.””

Edward opened his portfolio again and removed another document.

“This is a preliminary proposal for reorganizing certain investment interests. It was never executed.””

Helen examined the first page.

“Who prepared this?””

“I did, with advice executed.””

Helen examined the first page.

“Who prepared this?””

“I did, with advice from an outside consultant.””

“Which consultant?””

Edward gave her a name.

Helen wrote it down.

I looked at the document from an outside consultant.””

“Which consultant?””

Edward gave her a name.

Helen wrote it down.

I looked at the document.

The proposal included several of my properties and investments. It suggested placing certain interests into a holding company.

The proposal included several of my properties and investments. It suggested placing certain interests into a holding company administered by a designated representative.

The representative's name was Vanessa Carter.

I felt a wave of nausea.

“You administered by a designated representative.

The representative's name was Vanessa Carter.

I felt a wave of nausea.

“You planned to put my properties under Vanessa's management?””

“Only if you agreed.””

“Then why was my planned to put my properties under Vanessa's management?””

“Only if you agreed.””

“Then why was my signature copied onto another document?””

Edward went completely still.

For the signature copied onto another document?””

Edward went completely still.

For the first time since he arrived, I saw genuine fear in his eyes.

“What document?””

“The first time since he arrived, I saw genuine fear in his eyes.

“What document?””

“The proposed power of attorney submitted to Serenity Cove.””

“I haven't seen it.””

Helen slid proposed power of attorney submitted to Serenity Cove.””

“I haven't seen it.””

Helen slid a copy across the table.

Edward read it slowly.

Then he shook his head.

“This isn't mine.””

“Did a copy across the table.

Edward read it slowly.

Then he shook his head.

“This isn't mine.””

“Did you prepare the company registration?”” Helen asked.

“Yes.””

“Did you authorize you prepare the company registration?”” Helen asked.

“Yes.””

“Did you authorize the transfer of Daniel's money?””

“No.””

“Did you tell Vanessa to obtain Margaret's signature without explaining the document the transfer of Daniel's money?””

“No.””

“Did you tell Vanessa to obtain Margaret's signature without explaining the document?””

“No.””

His answers came quickly now.

I couldn't tell whether he was lying?””

“No.””

His answers came quickly now.

I couldn't tell whether he was lying or terrified that someone had taken his proposal further than he intended.

“ or terrified that someone had taken his proposal further than he intended.

“Edward,” I said, “who else had access to these documents?””

He looked at the letter fromEdward,” I said, “who else had access to these documents?””

He looked at the letter from Thomas.

Then at me.

“Vanessa had copies of the preliminary proposal. I gave them to her because she said she wanted to understand the options before discussing them with you.””

“Who gave her the Thomas.

Then at me.

“Vanessa had copies of the preliminary proposal. I gave them to her because she said she wanted to understand the options before discussing them with you.””

“Who gave her the information needed to create the company?””

“I provided the company structure. I didn't provide the bank account details information needed to create the company?””

“I provided the company structure. I didn't provide the bank account details.””

Helen made another note.

Edward leaned forward.

“Margaret, you have to believe me. I never intended.””

Helen made another note.

Edward leaned forward.

“Margaret, you have to believe me. I never intended for your signature to be forged. I never intended for Daniel's money to disappear.””

I looked for your signature to be forged. I never intended for Daniel's money to disappear.””

I looked at him for a long time.

“I don't know what I believe anymore.””

He lowered his head.

“I made a at him for a long time.

“I don't know what I believe anymore.””

He lowered his head.

“I made a terrible mistake.””

“Which mistake?””

He looked up.

I pointed to the letter.

“Was terrible mistake.””

“Which mistake?””

He looked up.

I pointed to the letter.

“Was it creating the company? Was it involving Vanessa? Was it keeping Thomas's letter it creating the company?

Was it involving Vanessa? Was it keeping Thomas's letter from me for eight years? Or was it assuming that because you knew my husband, you could make decisions about my future without asking me?””

from me for eight years? Or was it assuming that because you knew my husband, you could make decisions about my future without asking me?””

Edward didn't answer.

Helen gathered the documents and placed them in her folder.

“We'll need copiesEdward didn't answer.

Helen gathered the documents and placed them in her folder.

“We'll need copies of every proposal, communication, and record concerning the new company. Please preserve everything and provide it through the appropriate legal channels of every proposal, communication, and record concerning the new company. Please preserve everything and provide it through the appropriate legal channels.””

Edward nodded.

As he stood to leave, he turned toward me.

“Margaret, there's one.””

Edward nodded.

As he stood to leave, he turned toward me.

“Margaret, there's one more thing you should know.””

I waited.

“Thomas didn't just leave me that letter. He also left instructions about Daniel's inheritance more thing you should know.””

I waited.

“Thomas didn't just leave me that letter. He also left instructions about Daniel's inheritance.””

My heart began to pound.

“What instructions?””

Edward hesitated.

“He was concerned that Daniel might one day face serious financial trouble..””

My heart began to pound.

“What instructions?””

Edward hesitated.

“He was concerned that Daniel might one day face serious financial trouble. He established a separate trust arrangement intended to protect certain assets until specific conditions were met.””

Helen He established a separate trust arrangement intended to protect certain assets until specific conditions were met.””

Helen's eyes narrowed.

“Where are those trust documents?””

“I'm not sure whether the original arrangement was finalized. The estate attorney should have's eyes narrowed.

“Where are those trust documents?””

“I'm not sure whether the original arrangement was finalized. The estate attorney should have the records.””

“Then we'll contact the attorney directly.””

Edward nodded, but he seemed reluctant the records.””

“Then we'll contact the attorney directly.””

Edward nodded, but he seemed reluctant to leave.

“Margaret, whatever happens, please don't assume Thomas would have wanted Daniel punished to leave.

“Margaret, whatever happens, please don't assume Thomas would have wanted Daniel punished.””

I stood.

“This isn't about punishment. It's about the truth.””

Edward walked to.””

I stood.

“This isn't about punishment. It's about the truth.””

Edward walked to the door.

Before he left, he looked back at me.

“And if Vanessa knows about the trust, she may believe the door.

Before he left, he looked back at me.

“And if Vanessa knows about the trust, she may believe Daniel is entitled to money he cannot currently access.””

The door closed behind him.

I sat Daniel is entitled to money he cannot currently access.””

The door closed behind him.

I sat down slowly, Thomas's letter resting beneath my hand.

For eight years, I'd believed my husband had left down slowly, Thomas's letter resting beneath my hand.

For eight years, I'd believed my husband had left our family with a straightforward estate plan.

Now I was learning that there might be a separate trust, a proposed our family with a straightforward estate plan.

Now I was learning that there might be a separate trust, a proposed company, and instructions that someone had kept from me.

Helen picked company, and instructions that someone had kept from me.

Helen picked up her phone.

“We'll contact the estate attorney first thing tomorrow. We need to establish exactly what Thomas signed up her phone.

“We'll contact the estate attorney first thing tomorrow. We need to establish exactly what Thomas signed and whether the trust exists in the form Edward described.””

I nodded.

Then my phone vibrated.

An unknown number and whether the trust exists in the form Edward described.””

I nodded.

Then my phone vibrated.

An unknown number had sent me a photograph.

It showed a page from a legal had sent me a photograph.

It showed a page from a legal document bearing Thomas's signature and the seal of an attorney's office.

Below it was a message document bearing Thomas's signature and the seal of an attorney's office.

Below it was a message.

*If you want to know why Edward kept your husband's letter, ask him what happened to the.

If you want to know why Edward kept your husband's letter, ask him what happened to the original trust agreement.

A second message arrived before I could respond.

And ask why Daniel was listed original trust agreement.

A second message arrived before I could respond.

And ask why Daniel was listed as a beneficiary—but not as the person who would receive the money.

I stared at the screen.

as a beneficiary—but not as the person who would receive the money.*

I stared at the screen.

For the first time, I wondered whether the mystery wasn't simply about who wanted my money.

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