Chapter 15 - Maya's Name
Julian called Maya immediately.
She answered on the first ring.
“Where are you?”
“With Claire.”
“Did you sign a statement for Eleanor?”
“What?”
He sent her a photo.
Silence.
Then Maya said, “That is not my signature.”
Julian believed her before she finished the sentence.
“Can you prove it?”
“Yes. I was at a hospital appointment the date it was notarized. There are records.”
Evelyn looked at the document. “The notary is Daniel Pike.”
Charles went pale.
Julian noticed. “Who is that?”
“My former chief financial officer.”
“You keep having dead men and former employees appear in my son’s life.”
“He isn’t dead.”
“Wonderful.”
Evelyn called her attorney.
Within an hour they learned Daniel Pike had notarized twelve suspicious trust-related documents over six years.
Three involved Mercer Holdings.
Four involved Cross family entities.
Five involved guardianships.
Maya arrived that evening.
Leo ran to her.
She hugged him, then looked at Julian. “I never signed anything.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
The question stopped him.
Maya’s voice was calm but hurt. “Because two days ago you asked me why I was in your office like I might be part of this.”
Julian nodded. “You’re right.”
“I have protected your son in that house for nine years.”
“I know.”
“Then start acting like you know.”
Leo looked between them.
Julian said, “I’m sorry.”
Maya accepted the words with a small nod, not forgiveness.
Then Claire rushed into the room holding a laptop.
“We found Pike.”
“Where?”
“He booked a flight to Montreal.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
Julian reached for his coat.
Claire stopped him.
“There’s more.”
She turned the screen.
Security footage from a bank showed Pike entering a private vault with Eleanor three months earlier.
A third person followed them.
Julian leaned closer.
May you like
It was Rebecca Shaw.
His own attorney.
