Chapter 3 - THE ORDER
The man's name was Leonard Hale.
Daniel knew him as his father's oldest friend, the attorney who had handled every Voss family contract since Daniel could remember.
Hale placed a document on the desk. "This woman is violating a protective order."
Alan read the first page and frowned. "Issued when?"
"This morning."
Mara stared at Victor. "You knew I was coming."
Daniel took the order. It accused Mara of stalking, harassment, threats, and attempted extortion. His stomach turned when he reached the signature line.
Petitioner: Daniel Michael Voss.
"I didn't file this."
Hale's face barely moved. "Your office authorized it."
"My office is closed on Saturdays."
"Your digital signature was on file."
Emily stepped between Daniel and Hale. "You're saying somebody used my husband's signature to get a court order against a woman he didn't even know was alive?"
Mara pulled another envelope from her coat. "Your grandmother left this for you."
"Don't touch it."
Victor's voice cracked like a whip. "This is family business."
Emily stared at him. "I married into the family forty minutes ago. Congratulations."
Daniel opened the envelope.
The handwriting belonged to his grandmother Evelyn. He recognized the looping E from birthday cards she had sent until her death eight years earlier.
Danny,
If you are reading this, then Mara finally found a way back to you. I helped your father keep her away. I told myself I was protecting you. I was protecting our name. There is no day I do not regret it.
Victor whispered, "Mother was sick at the end."
The accident was not the end of your mother's fight. It was the beginning of ours. Victor threatened doctors, paid attorneys, and used your injury to rewrite your childhood. I signed papers I should have burned.
"What papers?"
Mara answered. "Custody papers. Medical papers. A death certificate."
Hale moved toward the door.
Alan blocked him.
"Where are you going, Leonard?"
Then Daniel's wedding videographer appeared in the doorway, breathless.
"Mr. Voss," she said. "I think you need to see what my camera recorded before the ceremony."
May you like
On the screen, Victor was whispering to Hale outside the church.
And the microphone had caught every word.
