Chapter 2: The Document With My Name on It
Camille sat in her parked car for nearly a minute, staring at the photograph.
The document was slightly crooked, as though Marcus had taken the picture beneath the table.
She zoomed in.
At the top was the letterhead of a law firm in Buckhead.
Below it were the words:
*NOTICE OF BENEFICIARY DISTRIBUTION*
The date was almost eleven months old.
Camille read the first paragraph.
Then she read it again.
The document referred to an insurance policy belonging to Raymond Reed.
The listed beneficiaries were Derrick Reed and Patricia Reed.
But there was a third name.
Camille Reed.
Her heart began beating faster.
She called Marcus.
He answered immediately.
“Where are you?”” he whispered.
“Outside the restaurant. Marcus, what is this?””
“I don't know everything. I just know your name is on it.””
“Why?””
“Because Uncle Raymond wanted it that way.””
Camille closed her eyes.
“Did Derrick know?””
Marcus hesitated.
“I'm pretty sure.””
“Pretty sure isn't good enough.””
“I heard him talking to Aunt Patricia about it last summer. They said something about keeping the money in the family.””
Camille gripped her phone.
“What money?””
“Two hundred and eighty thousand dollars.””
The number seemed to hang in the air.
“Marcus, I need you to explain.””
“I can't do it over the phone. Can you meet me tomorrow?””
“Why not now?””
“Because my mother is sitting three seats away from me, and she keeps watching my phone.””
Camille looked through the restaurant window.
Patricia was laughing at something Jason had said.
Derrick had his arm around his mother.
They looked like a happy family.
A family that had just sent the person who organized and paid for their celebration out into the night.
“Marcus,” Camille said, “take a picture of every page you can find.””
“I already have the first two.””
“Where did you get them?””
“A folder in my father's old office. Uncle Raymond gave me access before he died because he wanted me to help organize some paperwork.””
“Why didn't you tell me earlier?””
“I didn't know you were supposed to receive anything until I saw your name.””
Camille swallowed.
“Send me everything.””
“I will.””
After the call, she started her car.
But instead of driving home, she pulled into a quiet parking lot and called her best friend, Olivia Bennett.
Olivia answered on the second ring.
“Hey, girl. How was the birthday circus?””
Camille let out a shaky breath.
“Not good.””
“What happened?””
“My mother-in-law told me to leave. Derrick told me not to ruin her evening.””
Silence.
Then Olivia said, “I'm coming over.””
“Wait. There's more.””
Camille explained the document, the insurance policy, and Marcus's discovery.
Olivia listened without interrupting.
When Camille finished, her friend said something that made her sit straighter.
“Did you ever sign anything agreeing to transfer your inheritance?””
“No.””
“Did you ever receive a check?””
“No.””
“Then don't assume this is just a family misunderstanding.””
Camille looked down at the photograph.
Olivia continued.
“Camille, you need an attorney.””
“I know.””
“And don't go home and confront Derrick tonight.””
“I wasn't planning to.””
“Good. Because people who have been hiding money tend to become very creative when they realize someone has discovered it.””
Camille swallowed.
“I'm going to my sister's apartment.””
“Call me when you get there.””
They ended the call.
Twenty minutes later, Camille arrived at her younger sister's condominium in Midtown.
Nia opened the door wearing an oversized sweatshirt and holding a bowl of popcorn.
One look at Camille's face made her put it down.
“Oh, honey. What happened?””
Camille stepped inside.
“Can I stay here tonight?””
Nia immediately took her handbag.
“Of course. Do you need me to get anything from your house?””
“Not yet.””
They sat at the kitchen island.
Camille explained what had happened.
Nia listened with growing disbelief.
“Wait,” she interrupted.
“You paid for the entire dinner?””
“Yes.””
“And Patricia told you to leave?””
“Yes.””
“And Derrick watched?””
Camille nodded.
Nia stared at her.
“I'm going to need a moment before I say something that will get me arrested.””
Despite everything, Camille laughed.
It was a small, broken laugh.
Nia reached across the counter and squeezed her hand.
“You know what's bothering me most?””
“What?””
“You keep talking about what they did tonight. But I remember what you did for them last year.””
Camille looked down.
“When Uncle Raymond died, you were at that funeral home every day. You were the one arranging flowers, speaking to the pastor, dealing with the insurance company, and making sure Patricia ate something.””
“I loved Raymond.””
“I know. And he loved you.””
Nia paused.
“Did he ever tell you anything about his estate?””
Camille shook her head.
“He told me once that I was the daughter he never had. I thought he was just being sweet.””
Nia frowned.
“Maybe he meant more than you realized.””
Camille didn't answer.
At 11:43 p.m., Marcus sent another message.
*Marcus:* I found another document. It's a copy of the original policy. Your share was supposed to be transferred directly to your account.
A second photograph appeared.
This time, Camille could read the amount.
$280,000.
The policy had been divided into three portions.
Patricia: $140,000.
Derrick: $140,000.
Camille: $280,000.
The total benefit was $560,000.
Camille stared at the numbers.
“That's impossible,” she whispered.
Nia came around the island.
“What?””
Camille showed her.
Nia's eyes widened.
“Your name is on that?””
“Yes.””
“Then why did you never get it?””
Camille thought about the previous year.
Derrick had told her that his father's estate was complicated. He had said the insurance company needed additional paperwork. Later, he said Patricia had hired an attorney and everything was being handled.
Camille had trusted him.
She had never asked for details.
And while she was waiting, she had paid Patricia's property taxes.
She had covered Jason's car insurance.
She had even transferred money to Derrick when he claimed he needed to settle a business debt connected to his father's affairs.
Her phone suddenly rang.
Derrick.
She let it ring.
Then it rang again.
Nia shook her head.
“Don't answer.””
The third call came with a text.
*Derrick:* Where are you? Mom is furious. The restaurant says the card was declined.
Camille stared at the screen.
She had not declined the card.
She had removed her authorization.
Another message followed.
*Derrick:* Call me immediately. You can't just abandon everyone because you're upset.
Camille typed slowly.
*Camille:* I didn't abandon anyone. I left after being told I wasn't welcome. The dinner bill is no longer my responsibility.
Derrick replied almost instantly.
*Derrick:* Are you serious? There are eighteen people here!
Camille placed the phone facedown.
Nia raised an eyebrow.
“Did he apologize?””
“No.””
“Did he ask if you got home safely?””
“No.””
“Did he mention that his mother physically shoved your chair?””
“No.””
Nia nodded.
“Then I think we're learning something.””
Camille's phone vibrated again.
This time, it was an unknown number.
She opened the message.
*Unknown:* Mrs. Reed, my name is Thomas Whitaker. I am an attorney who previously represented your father-in-law, Raymond Reed. I understand you may have questions about an insurance distribution.
Camille sat completely still.
A second message arrived.
*Thomas:* Your father-in-law specifically instructed me to contact you if certain irregularities occurred after his death. I believe that time has come.
Camille looked at Nia.
“Someone else knows.””
“Who?””
“His attorney.””
She typed a response.
*Camille:* What irregularities?
The reply came almost immediately.
*Thomas:* Before I explain, I need to ask you something. Have you ever signed a document authorizing Derrick or Patricia Reed to receive your $280,000 beneficiary distribution?
Camille's fingers trembled.
*Camille:* No. Never.
There was a pause.
Then the attorney sent one final message.
*Thomas:* Then I strongly recommend that you do not sign anything your husband presents to you. According to our records, someone has already submitted a document bearing your signature.
Camille felt the room tilt.
She looked at the photographs Marcus had sent.
Then at her phone.
Someone had signed her name.
May you like
Someone had taken money that belonged to her.
And the person most likely to know exactly how it happened was sleeping beside her every night.
