“I'ming answers to fill the gaps, I would become no better than the people who had treated assumptions as permission.
“I'm sorry,” I said.
“You have nothing to apologize for. Let me examine the records. I'll sorry,” I said.
“You have nothing to apologize for. Let me examine the records. I'll call you when I have something reliable.””
After we ended the call, James drove us to his office.
He had arranged call you when I have something reliable.””
After we ended the call, James drove us to his office.
He had arranged for an independent document examiner to review the disputed signatures and was preparing a formal request for records connected to the property transactions.
There was no guarantee the for an independent document examiner to review the disputed signatures and was preparing a formal request for records connected to the property transactions.
There was no guarantee the process would be quick.
But for once, we were not chasing rumors.
We were building a case.
At four that afternoon, Eleanor called.
“I found process would be quick.
But for once, we were not chasing rumors.
We were building a case.
At four that afternoon, Eleanor called.
“I found something,” she said.
James put her on speaker.
“Go ahead.””
“Thomas prepared a supplemental estate document shortly something,” she said.
James put her on speaker.
“Go ahead.””
“Thomas prepared a supplemental estate document shortly before his death. It was never intended to replace his original will. It clarified certain instructions and before his death.
It was never intended to replace his original will. It clarified certain instructions and identified a separate record he wanted preserved.””
“Was it signed?”” James asked.
“Yes, but I cannot yet confirm whether the signature was witnessed properly. The document in my identified a separate record he wanted preserved.””
“Was it signed?”” James asked.
“Yes, but I cannot yet confirm whether the signature was witnessed properly. The document in my records is a draft.””
My chest tightened.
“Where is the original?””
“I don't know. Thomas records is a draft.””
My chest tightened.
“Where is the original?””
“I don't know. Thomas told me it had been placed somewhere safe, but he didn't tell me exactly where.””
I thought about told me it had been placed somewhere safe, but he didn't tell me exactly where.””
I thought about the brass key and the safe-deposit box.
“Could it be the document Patricia saw?””
“Possibly. But we need to compare the copies before we can say that.””
James asked the brass key and the safe-deposit box.
“Could it be the document Patricia saw?””
“Possibly. But we need to compare the copies before we can say that.””
James asked Eleanor to send the relevant records securely.
Then she added something that made me sit forward.
“Margaret, there is Eleanor to send the relevant records securely.
Then she added something that made me sit forward.
“Margaret, there is one other detail. The supplemental document referred to a person who was not named in the original will. Thomas described one other detail.
The supplemental document referred to a person who was not named in the original will. Thomas described that person as someone who had helped him with a matter concerning the family.””
“Who?””
“I that person as someone who had helped him with a matter concerning the family.””
“Who?””
“I believe the name was Daniel Price.””
I stared at the desk believe the name was Daniel Price.””
I stared at the desk.
My nephew's name seemed to follow me everywhere.
“Why would Thomas leave Daniel anything?””
“I don't know that he did. The document may.
My nephew's name seemed to follow me everywhere.
“Why would Thomas leave Daniel anything?””
“I don't know that he did. The document may have assigned him a responsibility rather than a benefit.””
That distinction mattered.
I held on to it.
Before I could ask another question, Eleanor have assigned him a responsibility rather than a benefit.””
That distinction mattered.
I held on to it.
Before I could ask another question, Eleanor spoke again.
“Margaret, I found a note in the same file. Thomas wrote that spoke again.
“Margaret, I found a note in the same file. Thomas wrote that if anyone ever questioned the document, I should verify the date against the hospital's visitor log.””
James reached for his pen.
“Why the if anyone ever questioned the document, I should verify the date against the hospital's visitor log.””
James reached for his pen.
“Why the visitor log?””
Eleanor hesitated.
“Because he said the person who witnessed his signature might not have been the person who later visitor log?””
Eleanor hesitated.
“Because he said the person who witnessed his signature might not have been the person who later claimed to have witnessed it.””
My stomach tightened.
“Do you have a name?””
“I do.””
“Tell me.””
Eleanor's answer came slowly.
“The witness claimed to have witnessed it.””
My stomach tightened.
“Do you have a name?””
“I do.””
“Tell me.””
Eleanor's answer came slowly.
“The witness listed on the disputed copy is Patricia Hayes.””
My sister.
The same woman who had just admitted listed on the disputed copy is Patricia Hayes.””
My sister.
The same woman who had just admitted signing documents for Megan.
I stared at James, unable to speak.
Then another email arrived in signing documents for Megan.
I stared at James, unable to speak.
Then another email arrived in his inbox.
It contained a scanned copy of the document Patricia had seen.
James opened it.
The first page carried Thomas's name.
The second his inbox.
It contained a scanned copy of the document Patricia had seen.
James opened it.
The first page carried Thomas's name.
The second carried Daniel's.
But the final page contained a handwritten sentence beneath the witness signature.
*If Margaret carried Daniel's.
But the final page contained a handwritten sentence beneath the witness signature.
If Margaret is ever told that this document gives Daniel control of the estate, the document has been altered is ever told that this document gives Daniel control of the estate, the document has been altered.
I read the sentence twice.
Then I looked at the date.
Two days before Thomas died.
Someone had not merely forged.*
I read the sentence twice.
Then I looked at the date.
Two days before Thomas died.
Someone had not merely forged my signature on a property transfer.
Someone might also have altered the final instructions of my dying my signature on a property transfer.
Someone might also have altered the final instructions of my dying husband.
And whoever had done it had known that one day I would be forced to choose between trusting my family and trusting husband.
And whoever had done it had known that one day I would be forced to choose between trusting my family and trusting the evidence.
the evidence.
Chapter 11: My Sister Finally Told the Truth
Pat Finally Told the Truth
Patricia arrived at James's office at seven the followingricia arrived at James's office at seven the following morning.
She wore the gray coat I'd given her for Christmas and carried a handbag cl morning.
She wore the gray coat I'd given her for Christmas and carried a handbag clutched against her chest. Her eyes were swollen, and her lipstick had been applied unevenly, as thoughutched against her chest. Her eyes were swollen, and her lipstick had been applied unevenly, as though she'd put it on while crying.
For a moment, I remembered us as little girls, sharing a bedroom and whispering after our parents turned she'd put it on while crying.
For a moment, I remembered us as little girls, sharing a bedroom and whispering after our parents turned out the lights.
Then I remembered her signature on the document that had helped put out the lights.
Then I remembered her signature on the document that had helped put my home at risk.
“Margaret,” she said, “please let me explain.””
I remained seated.
“Sit down my home at risk.
“Margaret,” she said, “please let me explain.””
I remained seated.
“Sit down, Patricia.””
She glanced at James before lowering herself into the chair opposite me.
He placed the scanned document on the table.
“Patricia, we need a complete account of your involvement with Seabrook Coastal Holdings and any documents, Patricia.””
She glanced at James before lowering herself into the chair opposite me.
He placed the scanned document on the table.
“Patricia, we need a complete account of your involvement with Seabrook Coastal Holdings and any documents concerning Thomas's estate.””
She stared at the paper.
“I didn't know about the forged signatures.””
“That isn't what I asked,” James replied.
She pressed her lips together.
I concerning Thomas's estate.””
She stared at the paper.
“I didn't know about the forged signatures.””
“That isn't what I asked,” James replied.
She pressed her lips together.
I leaned forward.
“Why did you give Megan money to establish that company?””
Patricia looked at me, then away leaned forward.
“Why did you give Megan money to establish that company?””
Patricia looked at me, then away.
“I didn't know that's what the money was for.””
“You transferred funds into the company's account.””
“Megan told me it was a temporary investment. She said Robert was.
“I didn't know that's what the money was for.””
“You transferred funds into the company's account.””
“Megan told me it was a temporary investment. She said Robert was arranging an estate plan and that the company needed money to cover administrative expenses.””
“Did you believe I had approved this?””
“Yes arranging an estate plan and that the company needed money to cover administrative expenses.””
“Did you believe I had approved this?””
“Yes.””
“Did you ask me?””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“Why does everyone in this family find it so difficult to ask.””
“Did you ask me?””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“Why does everyone in this family find it so difficult to ask me a simple question?””
Patricia began crying.
“Because I was afraid you'd me a simple question?””
Patricia began crying.
“Because I was afraid you'd say no.””
The answer was so honest that, for a moment, I had nothing to say.
James slid a tissue box toward her.
“Let's discuss the document involving say no.””