Chapter 14 - The Notary’s Story
The notary, a man named Carl Dwyer, met Marisol and Investigator Ruiz in a government office. Adrian attended with his attorney. Naomi stayed in the waiting area until Dwyer asked for her by name.
“I remember you from the house,” he said. “You brought coffee during the meeting.”
Naomi did remember him. He had looked uncomfortable while Celeste kept handing Adrian papers to sign.
Dwyer admitted that he had notarized a signature on a document that Adrian never read. Celeste told him it was a routine acknowledgment attached to the wedding venue agreement. Later, Graham Pike asked him to certify another page using the same date.
“Because I heard about the medication report. If they can do this to Mrs. Vale, they can do it to anyone.”
He provided his appointment book, a copy of the notary journal, and an email from Pike instructing him to use the earlier date. The documents showed the disputed agreement had been assembled weeks after the supposed signing.
Adrian stared at the evidence. “She planned this before she asked me to marry her.”
The investigator said the prosecutor would review the evidence for possible charges related to forgery, fraud, and elder abuse. The medical allegations would be reviewed separately by the licensing board.
“I treated you like you were a problem because you were the easiest person to blame. You told me what you saw, and I chose the story that made my life simpler.”
That evening, Evelyn asked Naomi to help her choose a dress for the charity dinner scheduled the night before the wedding. Celeste had planned the dinner as a public celebration, and the guest list included donors, trustees, and the people who had signed the estate’s financial reports.
Evelyn shook her head. “No. If Celeste thinks she still controls the room, she’ll come.”
May you like
She looked at Naomi.
“And this time, we won’t let her choose the story.”
