Chapter 6 - THE SIGNATURE
Priya photographed the hospital form and called the records department.
The answer came back within an hour.
Hannah had never been admitted that day.
But someone had created a preliminary intake file in her name.
Someone had provided her date of birth, insurance information, address, and emergency contact.
The emergency contact was Evelyn.
Lucas felt sick.
“This took planning.”
Priya nodded. “Yes.”
Hannah sat very still beside the window.
For weeks, Evelyn had told her she was forgetful.
Too emotional.
Too tired.
Too fragile.
Now Hannah understood the purpose.
“She wanted me to doubt myself before anyone else did.”
Lucas knelt beside her.
“I should have listened.”
She looked at him.
“Yes.”
The word hurt, but he didn’t defend himself.
“Yes,” he repeated.
That afternoon, digital investigators examined Evelyn’s tablet under a warrant related to the assault complaint. Lucas expected to wait days.
Instead, Officer Reyes called before dinner.
“We found a synced copy of Mrs. Mercer’s messages.”
Lucas put the phone on speaker.
“And?” Priya asked.
“Several messages in the petition were composed on the tablet, not on Hannah’s phone.”
Hannah closed her eyes.
Lucas gripped the counter.
“There’s more,” Reyes said. “The device contains scanned copies of Hannah’s driver’s license, insurance card, and signature from an old refinancing document.”
Priya went quiet.
Forgery material.
Reyes continued.
“We also found a folder called Sophie Plan.”
Lucas’s jaw tightened.
“What’s in it?”
“We’re still reviewing.”
“Tell me one thing.”
A pause.
“There’s a draft temporary guardianship form naming Evelyn Mercer as guardian.”
Hannah stared at Sophie.
Lucas asked, “On what basis?”
Reyes’s voice became careful.
“Incapacity of both parents.”
Both.
Not just Hannah.
May you like
Lucas looked at Priya.
“What was she planning to do to me?”
