Chapter 4 - The False Signature
Richard knew his wife’s signature the way some people knew a song.
Claire had signed birthday cards with a long looping C. She signed school donations, mortgage papers, hospital forms. He had watched her write her name thousands of times.
The signature on the trust page was close.
Too close.
But wrong.
“The C leans backward,” he said. “Claire never did that.”
Owen photographed the page. “We need the original trust agreement.”
Richard called Graham Voss again.
This time the attorney answered.
His voice sounded breathless. “Richard. I’m in a meeting.”
“Where is Leo’s original trust?”
Silence.
“Graham?”
“It should be in the family vault.”
“Should be?”
“I’ll check.”
“No. I’m coming to your office.”
“Richard, that isn’t necessary.”
“It is now.”
Graham hung up.
Anna stayed with Leo while Richard and Owen drove downtown. Forty minutes later, Richard called.
“Graham’s office is empty.”
“What do you mean empty?”
“Desk cleared. Files gone. His assistant says he left twenty minutes before we arrived.”
Anna looked toward the hallway.
Vanessa’s room was at the far end.
Her door stood open.
“Richard,” Anna said slowly. “Vanessa’s luggage is gone.”
Another silence.
“Get Leo and leave the house.”
“Why?”
“Anna, just do it.”
She did not argue.
She packed Leo’s medicine, clothes, favorite blanket, and stuffed elephant. When she lifted him into her arms, he patted her cheek.
“Nana sad?”
“I’m okay.”
He studied her face like he knew she was lying.
At the back entrance, Mrs. Bell, the longtime housekeeper, appeared carrying groceries.
“Where are you going?”
“Richard wants us out for the night.”
Mrs. Bell’s eyes moved toward the stairs.
“Because of Miss Vanessa?”
Anna stopped.
“You know something.”
Mrs. Bell looked down.
“Not here.”
“Tell me.”
The older woman’s hands trembled.
“Three months after Mrs. Claire died, I found Miss Vanessa in Mr. Richard’s office. She was copying documents.”
“What documents?”
“I don’t know. I asked. She told me Mr. Richard requested it.”
“Did he?”
“I never asked.” Shame filled her voice. “I should have.”
Anna lowered her voice. “What else?”
Mrs. Bell glanced toward the ceiling camera.
“Every time one of those cameras went dark, Miss Vanessa was somewhere she shouldn’t have been.”
Anna felt cold.
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because the first time I tried, she showed me a copy of my immigration paperwork and asked how much trouble my daughter would have if my employment history was questioned.”
Anna stared at her.
“She threatened you.”
Mrs. Bell nodded.
Then Leo squirmed in Anna’s arms.
“Car.”
Anna looked through the glass door.
A black sedan sat across the street.
Its engine was running.
The driver’s window lowered.
May you like
Graham Voss was behind the wheel.
And Vanessa was sitting beside him.
