Chapter 4 - THE TRUST
Lily’s trust had been created by my mother before she died.
It wasn’t enormous by billionaire standards, but it was enough to change a life: company shares, a Beacon Hill property, and investments worth nearly nineteen million dollars.
I had almost forgotten the exact terms.
Claire hadn’t.
James arrived at the hospital just after midnight with a folder under his arm.
“The petition was filed six weeks ago,” he said. “It claims Lily has escalating behavioral problems, unexplained self-injury, and attachment issues after her mother’s death.”
I felt sick.
“She was two when Emma died.”
“I know.”
“Who signed the supporting statement?”
James slid a page toward me.
Maria Alvarez.
Maria stared at it.
“That is not my signature.”
Detective Ortiz photographed the document.
The second supporting statement came from a pediatric therapist Lily had never met.
The third came from me.
Also forged.
The filing requested temporary financial authority for Claire “to secure specialized long-term care.”
I read the sentence twice.
Long-term care.
“She was trying to send my daughter away.”
James’s jaw tightened. “Or create legal permission to control the money while claiming she was.”
Claire was released from immediate questioning because no one had yet charged her. Hospital security escorted her from the building under a no-contact order while the investigation continued.
Before she left, she looked at me across the lobby.
“You think Maria saved you?” she said.
“Don’t speak to me.”
“You don’t know what she is.”
Maria stiffened.
Claire smiled.
“Ask her where she was the night Emma died.”
Then she walked out.
I turned toward Maria.
The color had disappeared from her face.
“Maria?”
She said nothing.
“Where were you?”
Her eyes filled again.
“At your house.”
The lobby seemed to go silent.
“You told me you didn’t start working for us until after Emma’s funeral.”
“I lied.”
My chest tightened.
“Why?”
May you like
Maria reached into her purse and removed an old brass key.
“Because your first wife asked me to.”
