Chapter 4 - The Signature That Wasn't Mine
Charles arrived at the estate before sunrise carrying a leather folder and the expression of a man who hated surprises.
He laid the document on my kitchen island.
At first glance, the signature looked perfect.
My full name. My usual slant. Even the little break in the H.
But I knew I hadn’t signed it.
“What does this amendment do?” I asked.
Charles tapped the second page. “It appoints Victoria co-trustee over Lily’s inheritance and gives her broad discretion over distributions until Lily turns twenty-five.”
“How broad?”
“She could approve housing, education, travel, medical expenses, asset sales.”
“In plain English.”
“She could control nearly everything.”
My hands curled against the counter.
The trust held more than money. Claire had transferred shares in Hale Maritime, the estate itself, two rental properties, and a life-insurance payout into it. I remained trustee until Lily reached adulthood, but the assets were Lily’s.
Victoria had always known that.
“Who notarized this?”
“A mobile notary named Evelyn Shore.”
“Did she see me sign?”
“She claims she did.”
“Then she’s lying.”
Anna walked in carrying a sleepy Lily. My daughter had one arm around her aunt’s neck and the repaired half of the music box clutched against her chest.
Charles softened when he saw her.
Lily looked at the papers. “Are those the papers Victoria talked about?”
I crouched. “Maybe.”
“She said when you signed them, the house would be hers.”
Anna’s eyes shot to mine.
I kept my voice calm. “When did she tell you that?”
“Tuesday. In the car.”
Victoria had taken Lily to piano lessons Tuesday.
Or so I thought.
I asked Daniel to pull the vehicle GPS history.
Twenty minutes later he returned.
“The Bentley never went near the music school,” he said.
“Where did it go?”
He placed the map in front of me.
May you like
A law office in Manhattan.
The same building where Evelyn Shore, the notary, rented a suite.
