Chapter 4 - Her Forged Signature
The signature looked enough like Sarah's to frighten her.
Not perfect.
But close.
It appeared beneath a statement saying she had a history of panic episodes, irrational behavior, and dangerous pregnancy-related confusion.
"That's a lie," Sarah said.
Ethan scrolled through the scanned pages.
There were physician letters.
A psychological assessment.
Even a witness affidavit from a household employee.
Miriam Cole.
Sarah felt sick.
"Bring her in."
Miriam entered the hospital room fifteen minutes later with both hands clasped in front of her.
She looked older than she had that morning.
Ethan placed the affidavit on the table.
"Did you sign this?"
Miriam's eyes filled.
"Yes."
Sarah recoiled.
"Why?"
"I didn't know what it was. Mrs. Vance said it was an insurance statement after you fainted in the kitchen last month."
"I fainted because I hadn't eaten."
"I know."
"Then why didn't you read it?"
Miriam's voice broke. "Because my husband needs dialysis. Mrs. Vance pays for the treatment insurance doesn't cover. She said if I caused trouble, the help would stop."
Silence filled the room.
Ethan's anger became something colder.
"Who prepared the document?"
Miriam whispered, "Mr. Hale."
Preston Hale was Eleanor's personal attorney and a longtime board counsel for Vance Holdings.
Arthur leaned against the wall.
"He was at the estate yesterday."
Everyone looked at him.
"Why?" Ethan asked.
"He said he was reviewing insurance records."
Arthur's gaze moved to Sarah.
"He also asked whether the cameras on the upper landing recorded sound."
Ethan grabbed his phone.
"I'm calling security."
Arthur stopped him.
"Not our security."
"Why?"
"Because I checked the maintenance log before I came to the hospital. The cameras weren't taken offline by a technician."
Arthur placed a printed access record on the bed.
The deactivation command had come from an administrator account.
The account belonged to Victor Dane, head of estate security.
Ethan stared at the name.
May you like
Victor had worked for his family for fourteen years.
Then Arthur said, "And he left the property ten minutes after the ambulance."
