Chapter 8 - A DEAD MAN’S SIGNATURE
The forged approval carried Daniel’s signature and a date from six months ago.
Six months after we buried him.
Rachel didn’t swear often.
She swore then.
We drove straight to Hale Manufacturing’s headquarters in Aurora.
My uncle Peter chaired the board. When he saw the document, he went pale.
“This never came before us.”
He called the company’s general counsel into the room.
Within an hour, we learned Michael had used the fake approval to secure a $1.4 million private loan against my shares.
The lender was North Shore Custodial Services.
Another Patricia entity.
“It’s circular,” Rachel said. “They moved stolen money into a company Patricia controls, then used that company to pretend it loaned money against Emma’s shares.”
Peter stared at me. “Why?”
Rachel answered before I could.
“To create a default.”
The loan agreement said if payment was missed, the lender could claim the shares.
The first payment was due in nine days.
I had never even known the loan existed.
Peter’s attorney immediately prepared an injunction.
Then my phone rang.
Claire.
I answered so fast I nearly dropped it.
Her voice was weak.
“I’m okay.”
“Where are you?”
“Police station. Michael didn’t take me.”
I looked at Rachel.
“Who did?”
“Patricia’s driver. Leonard.”
Claire said Leonard had forced her into a second car, then panicked when police cruisers appeared. She escaped at a gas station.
“Emma,” she whispered, “there’s something else.”
“What?”
“The affair wasn’t the reason Michael wanted you gone.”
My throat tightened.
“He was already planning the divorce before he met me.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I found the draft settlement.”
May you like
Claire took a breath.
“It says you admit to being mentally unstable and voluntarily surrender your Hale shares.”
