Chapter 8: The## Chapter 8: The Man My Husband Trusted
I read Edward Pierce's name until the letters Man My Husband Trusted
I read Edward Pierce's name until the letters blurred.
For eighteen years, Edward had been one of the few blurred.
For eighteen years, Edward had been one of the few people I trusted without reservation. He had worked people I trusted without reservation. He had worked beside Thomas long before I entered the investment business, and after my husband's death, he had beside Thomas long before I entered the investment business, and after my husband's death, he had helped me navigate the complicated transition from grieving widow to business owner.
He had sat with me in conference helped me navigate the complicated transition from grieving widow to business owner.
He had sat with me in conference rooms when I was too exhausted to understand another contract. He had introduced me to investors who later rooms when I was too exhausted to understand another contract. He had introduced me to investors who later became lifelong partners.
When I doubted myself, he reminded me that Thomas had never believed became lifelong partners. When I doubted myself, he reminded me that Thomas had never believed I was incapable of running the business.
At my fiftieth birthday dinner, Edward had raised his glass and promised I was incapable of running the business.
At my fiftieth birthday dinner, Edward had raised his glass and promised that he would always protect what Thomas and I had built.
Now his name was attached to a company that he would always protect what Thomas and I had built.
Now his name was attached to a company that appeared to have received forty-two thousand dollars from my son's savings account.
“Could this be someone that appeared to have received forty-two thousand dollars from my son's savings account.
“Could this be someone with the same name?”” I asked.
Helen turned her laptop back toward herself.
“It's possible with the same name?”” I asked.
Helen turned her laptop back toward herself.
“It's possible, but we shouldn't speculate. The registration details identify a director named Edward Pierce at an, but we shouldn't speculate. The registration details identify a director named Edward Pierce at an address associated with his previous business operations.
We'll verify his identity and determine whether he actually authorized address associated with his previous business operations. We'll verify his identity and determine whether he actually authorized the filing.””
“Call him.””
“Margaret, I'd prefer to establish the basic records first. We don't the filing.””
“Call him.””
“Margaret, I'd prefer to establish the basic records first. We don't want to alert anyone unnecessarily if there are other parties involved.””
I understood her want to alert anyone unnecessarily if there are other parties involved.””
I understood her reasoning.
I simply wasn't sure I could bear another hour of uncertainty.
Edward reasoning.
I simply wasn't sure I could bear another hour of uncertainty.
Edward had known me when Thomas was alive. He had held my hand had known me when Thomas was alive. He had held my hand at the funeral and promised that I wouldn't have to face the business alone.
If he'd betrayed at the funeral and promised that I wouldn't have to face the business alone.
If he'd betrayed me, I wanted to hear his explanation in his own voice.
Helen agreed to contact her me, I wanted to hear his explanation in his own voice.
Helen agreed to contact her investigations team while I called Richard to ask for a private room investigations team while I called Richard to ask for a private room where we could work without interruption.
By two o'clock, we had the first confirmed details where we could work without interruption.
By two o'clock, we had the first confirmed details.
The new company had been incorporated twelve days before our arrival at Serenity Cove. Its registered address belonged to a commercial office.
The new company had been incorporated twelve days before our arrival at Serenity Cove. Its registered address belonged to a commercial office complex. Edward was listed as its director, but the available records did not establish who controlled its bank complex. Edward was listed as its director, but the available records did not establish who controlled its bank account or why it had been created.
There was no evidence yet that Edward had received Daniel's money personally.
Helen made that account or why it had been created.
There was no evidence yet that Edward had received Daniel's money personally.
Helen made that distinction clear.
“A director's name on a filing doesn't prove that he initiated distinction clear.
“A director's name on a filing doesn't prove that he initiated every transaction connected to the company,” she said.
“We need the bank records, the incorporation documents, and the communications surrounding the transfer every transaction connected to the company,” she said.
“We need the bank records, the incorporation documents, and the communications surrounding the transfer.””
I nodded.
“Then let's get them.””
At 2:26 p.m., Helen received a call from.””
I nodded.
“Then let's get them.””
At 2:26 p.m., Helen received a call from her investigator.
She listened, took notes, and asked several her investigator.
She listened, took notes, and asked several precise questions before ending the conversation.
“What did they find?”” I asked.
“The company registration was submitted precise questions before ending the conversation.
“What did they find?”” I asked.
“The company registration was submitted electronically. The filing contains Edward's identifying information, but the investigator hasn't yet independently confirmed who electronically. The filing contains Edward's identifying information, but the investigator hasn't yet independently confirmed who submitted it. We need to obtain the supporting records.””
I stared at the window.
“Could someone submitted it. We need to obtain the supporting records.””
I stared at the window.
“Could someone have used his identity?””
“Yes.””
“And could he have created the company himself?””
“Yes.””
I let have used his identity?””
“Yes.””
“And could he have created the company himself?””
“Yes.””
I let out a slow breath.
“Then I suppose we're going to have to ask him.””
Helen closed out a slow breath.
“Then I suppose we're going to have to ask him.””
Helen closed her folder.
“I'll arrange a formal conversation through counsel. You shouldn't confront him alone.””
Before her folder.
“I'll arrange a formal conversation through counsel. You shouldn't confront him alone.””
Before she could make the call, my phone vibrated.
A message from Edward.
*Margaret, I understand there she could make the call, my phone vibrated.
A message from Edward.
Margaret, I understand there has been a misunderstanding concerning a new corporate entity. Please don't make has been a misunderstanding concerning a new corporate entity. Please don't make any decisions until we've spoken. I can explain everything.
I read it aloud.
Helen held out her hand for any decisions until we've spoken. I can explain everything.*
I read it aloud.
Helen held out her hand for my phone.
“Did you tell him we were investigating?””
“No.””
“Did you contact him directly?””
“No my phone.
“Did you tell him we were investigating?””
“No.””
“Did you contact him directly?””
“No.””
She looked at the message again.
“Then someone may have informed him that questions are.””
She looked at the message again.
“Then someone may have informed him that questions are being asked, or he may know about the company registration for another reason. We shouldn't assume which being asked, or he may know about the company registration for another reason. We shouldn't assume which.””
I typed a short reply.
*I am willing to hear your explanation. Please arrange the.””
I typed a short reply.
I am willing to hear your explanation. Please arrange the conversation through my attorney.
His response came almost immediately.
Of course. There is one other matter. Thomas conversation through my attorney.
His response came almost immediately.
Of course. There is one other matter. Thomas left instructions concerning the family's long-term financial arrangements, and I believe those instructions may be relevant left instructions concerning the family's long-term financial arrangements, and I believe those instructions may be relevant.
My fingers went cold.
Thomas had been dead for eight years.
“What instructions?”” I whispered.
Helen read.*
My fingers went cold.
Thomas had been dead for eight years.
“What instructions?”” I whispered.
Helen read the message.
“Did your husband leave any documents with Edward?””
“Not that I know of. Thomas had the message.
“Did your husband leave any documents with Edward?””
“Not that I know of. Thomas had a will, and our estate attorney handled everything. Edward helped with some a will, and our estate attorney handled everything. Edward helped with some of the business transition, but I don't remember any separate instructions.””
“Do you still have the original estate file?””
“Yes. At home.””
“Then of the business transition, but I don't remember any separate instructions.””
“Do you still have the original estate file?””
“Yes. At home.””
“Then we'll have it reviewed. Until we know more, don't assume Edward's statement is accurate.””
I set the phone down.
Thomas had been careful about money, we'll have it reviewed. Until we know more, don't assume Edward's statement is accurate.””
I set the phone down.
Thomas had been careful about money, but he had also believed in people. He'd trusted Edward with business decisions for decades.
but he had also believed in people. He'd trusted Edward with business decisions for decades.
The thought that Edward might have used that trust to manipulate our family was almost unbearable.
A knock sounded at theThe thought that Edward might have used that trust to manipulate our family was almost unbearable.
A knock sounded at the door.
Daniel entered without waiting for an invitation.
His face was pale, and his eyes were door.
Daniel entered without waiting for an invitation.
His face was pale, and his eyes were red.
“Mom, I spoke to Vanessa.””
Helen gestured toward an empty chair.
“ red.
“Mom, I spoke to Vanessa.””
Helen gestured toward an empty chair.
“Please sit down, Daniel.””
He remained standing.
“She says the transfer was part of a business arrangement. She says shePlease sit down, Daniel.””
He remained standing.
“She says the transfer was part of a business arrangement. She says she was moving the money temporarily.””
“Did she explain why?”” I asked.
“She was moving the money temporarily.””
“Did she explain why?”” I asked.
“She said Edward told her it was necessary to secure a financial said Edward told her it was necessary to secure a financial agreement.””
I looked at Helen.
“Edward?””
Daniel nodded.
“She says he contacted her agreement.””
I looked at Helen.
“Edward?””
Daniel nodded.
“She says he contacted her months ago. He told her there were ways to organize your assets so that the family could benefit without constantly months ago. He told her there were ways to organize your assets so that the family could benefit without constantly asking you for money.””
My stomach tightened.
“What exactly did he promise her?””
Daniel looked at his asking you for money.””
My stomach tightened.
“What exactly did he promise her?””
Daniel looked at his hands.
“He said that if she helped prepare the paperwork, you could eventually transfer management hands.
“He said that if she helped prepare the paperwork, you could eventually transfer management of some of your investments to a family-controlled entity.””
I stared at him.
“Did you believe of some of your investments to a family-controlled entity.””
I stared at him.
“Did you believe him?””
“I wanted to believe there was a way out of our financial problems.””
“That isn't an answer.””
He lifted his head.
“Yes. I believed him.””
The honesty him?””
“I wanted to believe there was a way out of our financial problems.””
“That isn't an answer.””
He lifted his head.
“Yes. I believed him.””
The honesty hurt, but at least it was honesty.
“What did Vanessa do?””
“She said she hurt, but at least it was honesty.
“What did Vanessa do?””
“She said she provided the company with some documents. She thought it was a legitimate arrangement provided the company with some documents. She thought it was a legitimate arrangement because Edward had worked with you for years.””
“Did she tell you the money would be transferred?””
“No. She because Edward had worked with you for years.””
“Did she tell you the money would be transferred?””
“No. She told me this morning that the transfer was a temporary placement. She said it would be returned once the paperwork was completed.””
Helen leaned told me this morning that the transfer was a temporary placement. She said it would be returned once the paperwork was completed.””
Helen leaned forward.
“Daniel, did you authorize that transfer?””
“No.””
“Did you know Vanessa intended to forward.
“Daniel, did you authorize that transfer?””
“No.””
“Did you know Vanessa intended to make it?””
“No.””
“Then you should provide the bank with that information and allow its investigators to examine the transaction.””
He nodded make it?””
“No.””
“Then you should provide the bank with that information and allow its investigators to examine the transaction.””
He nodded.
I watched him struggle to find the right words.
“Mom, I know I've let you down. I know I should have asked questions.
I watched him struggle to find the right words.
“Mom, I know I've let you down. I know I should have asked questions. But I never wanted to take anything from you.””
I looked at him for a long moment.
“Then why. But I never wanted to take anything from you.””
I looked at him for a long moment.
“Then why did you help someone prepare documents that would give her control over my finances?””
His eyes filled again.
“Because I did you help someone prepare documents that would give her control over my finances?””
His eyes filled again.
“Because I was scared. We were behind on payments. The bank had contacted us about the mortgage was scared. We were behind on payments.
The bank had contacted us about the mortgage, and Vanessa kept saying we were running out of time. Edward made it sound as, and Vanessa kept saying we were running out of time. Edward made it sound as though this was the only way to keep everything from collapsing.””
“You had other choices though this was the only way to keep everything from collapsing.””
“You had other choices, Daniel.””
“I know.””
“You could have sold the house. You could have cut your expenses. You could, Daniel.””
“I know.””
“You could have sold the house. You could have cut your expenses. You could have told me the truth.””
“I know.””
“But you chose the option that required you to keep me in the dark.””
have told me the truth.””
“I know.””
“But you chose the option that required you to keep me in the dark.””
He nodded, unable to defend himself.
I wanted to tell him that everythingHe nodded, unable to defend himself.
I wanted to tell him that everything would be all right.
I wanted to promise that I would help him solve the debt would be all right.
I wanted to promise that I would help him solve the debt problem, that he could come home and we would start again.
But if problem, that he could come home and we would start again.
But if I offered that promise now, he might hear only the part that meant I would rescue him.
I offered that promise now, he might hear only the part that meant I would rescue him.
“I love you,” I said.
“And I want you to get through this. But I will“I love you,” I said.
“And I want you to get through this. But I will not finance a secret arrangement, and I will not allow anyone to obtain control over my money by not finance a secret arrangement, and I will not allow anyone to obtain control over my money by misleading me.””
Daniel wiped his eyes.
“I understand.””
“Then cooperate with the investigation. Tell the bank everything you know. Give Helen the messages and documents misleading me.””
Daniel wiped his eyes.
“I understand.””
“Then cooperate with the investigation. Tell the bank everything you know. Give Helen the messages and documents you've received. Don't delete anything.””
He nodded.
Before leaving, he turned toward the door.
“Mom, Vanessa you've received. Don't delete anything.””
He nodded.
Before leaving, he turned toward the door.
“Mom, Vanessa said Edward wants to meet you tonight.””
“Why?””
“He says he has something Thomas left behind.””
said Edward wants to meet you tonight.””
“Why?””
“He says he has something Thomas left behind.””
I felt the room become very still.
“What exactly did he say?””
Daniel checked his phone.
“HeI felt the room become very still.
“What exactly did he say?””
Daniel checked his phone.
“He wrote that your husband left a sealed envelope with instructions that wrote that your husband left a sealed envelope with instructions that were supposed to be opened under specific circumstances.””
Helen immediately reached for her notebook.
“Do were supposed to be opened under specific circumstances.””
Helen immediately reached for her notebook.
“Do you have that message?””
Daniel showed her the screen.
She read it carefully.
Then she looked at me you have that message?””
Daniel showed her the screen.
She read it carefully.
Then she looked at me.
“We need to verify this with the estate attorney before treating it as genuine.””
I.
“We need to verify this with the estate attorney before treating it as genuine.””
I nodded, though my heart was pounding.
Thomas had been gone for nodded, though my heart was pounding.
Thomas had been gone for eight years.
Yet somehow, his name had returned to the center of a financial mystery involving my eight years.
Yet somehow, his name had returned to the center of a financial mystery involving my son, my daughter-in-law, and the man who had once been his closest friend.
At son, my daughter-in-law, and the man who had once been his closest friend.
At 5:41 p.m., Edward sent another message.
*I will come 5:41 p.m., Edward sent another message.
I will come to Serenity Cove at seven. Please bring the original estate papers if you have them.
Helen's expression sharpened.
“He to Serenity Cove at seven. Please bring the original estate papers if you have them.*
Helen's expression sharpened.
“He doesn't get to dictate what you bring.””
“Then what should I do?””
“Meet doesn't get to dictate what you bring.””
“Then what should I do?””
“Meet him only if you're comfortable, with counsel present. Don't hand over original documents, sign anything, or him only if you're comfortable, with counsel present. Don't hand over original documents, sign anything, or agree to any financial arrangement. We'll ask him to explain his claims and document his answers.””
I looked agree to any financial arrangement. We'll ask him to explain his claims and document his answers.””
I looked at the message again.
For the first time since arriving at the resort, I wasn't afraid of what Edward might say.
I was at the message again.
For the first time since arriving at the resort, I wasn't afraid of what Edward might say.
I was afraid of what he might know.
Because if he had been planning this for months, he might understand afraid of what he might know.
Because if he had been planning this for months, he might understand something about my husband's final days that I had never been told.
May you like
And at seven o'clock, something about my husband's final days that I had never been told.
And at seven o'clock, I was going to find out whether the man I'd trusted for nearly twenty years had been protecting Thomas's legacy—or I was going to find out whether the man I'd trusted for nearly twenty years had been protecting Thomas's legacy—or quietly preparing to take it apart.
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