Chapter 2 - The Six Envelopes
I photographed everything before touching another page.
Acquisitions had taught me never to confront someone before securing evidence.
I called Miriam Cole.
She answered immediately.
“Adrian? Aren’t you in Singapore?”
“I came home early.”
There was silence.
“What happened?”
“I’m sending you photographs.”
Thirty seconds later she called back.
Her voice had changed.
“Do not confront Vanessa.”
“That bad?”
“These documents are serious.”
“You’ve never seen them?”
“No.”
“They’re addressed to you.”
“I never requested them.”
I looked toward Maya.
She was sitting on my bed hugging a pillow.
“Someone forged my signature.”
Miriam paused.
“There’s more.”
“What?”
“The trust amendment would give Vanessa enormous control if you were ruled temporarily incapacitated.”
“But I’m not incapacitated.”
“That isn’t necessarily the point.”
I understood.
Create the paper trail first.
Create the event later.
“Who is Dr. Malcolm Rainer?”
Miriam asked.
“That name is on the medical declaration?”
“Yes.”
Another pause.
“I’ve heard it before.”
“Where?”
“In guardianship litigation.”
I felt cold.
“What kind?”
“Contested cases involving wealthy patients.”
Maya appeared beside me.
“Daddy, can I have water?”
I softened my voice.
“Of course.”
When I returned, Miriam continued.
“You need an independent attorney for Vanessa-related matters.”
“You’re my attorney.”
“I’m also attorney for the family trust. If Vanessa is trying to alter that trust, I may become a witness.”
That worried me more.
“Miriam.”
“Yes?”
“Could someone really convince a court I was incompetent?”
“With convincing documentation? Temporarily, yes.”
“And during that time?”
“Depending on the order, someone else could control assets.”
I looked at the papers again.
“How quickly?”
“Fast enough that you should take this seriously.”
I ended the call.
Then Maya tugged my sleeve.
“There are more papers.”
I looked down.
“What do you mean?”
“Mom has a drawer.”
“Where?”
“She said never open it.”
Maya pointed toward Vanessa’s dressing room.
Behind the bottom drawer of Vanessa’s jewelry cabinet, I found a false panel.
Inside was a black notebook.
Every page contained dates.
My business trips.
My cardiology appointments.
Board meetings.
Maya’s school schedule.
Beside several future dates Vanessa had written initials.
One entry was three days away.
The day I had originally been scheduled to return home.
A.H. — 7:30 PM. Rainer ready. N.C. confirmed.
Below it:
Maya staying with L. overnight.
My original flight was supposed to land at 5:55 PM.
Whatever Vanessa had planned for 7:30 that night, Maya apparently wasn’t supposed to be there.
Then I heard the garage door.
May you like
Vanessa was home.
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