Chapter 2 - The Paper With His Name
Julian read the page twice.
His hands did not shake. That frightened Maya more than if he had shouted.
“What is this?” he asked.
Eleanor’s mouth tightened. “A precaution.”
“A court petition naming you temporary conservator over me?”
“You’ve been exhausted. Forgetful. Your blood pressure—”
“My blood pressure does not give you my company.”
Leo leaned against the newel post, one arm wrapped around his ribs. “Dad, there’s more.”
Julian looked at him.
“She’s been telling people you’re sick. She told the board you had memory problems.”
Eleanor spun around. “That is not what I said.”
Maya spoke quietly. “You told Dr. Keller at dinner that Mr. Mercer sometimes forgets whole meetings.”
Eleanor stared at her. “You listen at doors now?”
“I clear plates.”
The security officers shifted closer.
Julian unfolded the second sheet. A signature sat at the bottom.
His signature.
Except he had never signed it.
“Who forged this?”
Eleanor said nothing.
Leo gave a bitter laugh. “Still think I’m dramatic?”
The words landed harder than the fall.
Julian looked at his son’s bruised shoulder and saw the cost of every excuse he had accepted.
“I’m calling Whitmore & Hale,” he said.
Eleanor’s panic finally broke through. “You should call Miles Grant.”
Julian paused.
Miles was not the family’s estate lawyer. He was Eleanor’s private attorney.
“Why?” Julian asked.
“Because he understands the situation.”
“What situation?”
She looked from Julian to Leo to Maya.
Then she smiled.
It was small and ugly.
“The one where your son doesn’t actually own what he thinks he owns.”
Leo went still.
Julian stepped closer. “Explain.”
Eleanor lifted her chin. “Ask your late wife’s lawyer what Anna changed three days before she died.”
The room seemed to contract around them.
Julian’s phone was already in his hand when it rang.
The screen showed the name of the family attorney, Samuel Whitmore.
Julian answered.
May you like
Samuel did not say hello.
He said, “Julian, lock the house down. The original trust file is missing.”
