Chapter 7: The Doctor Who Never Examined My Mother
"Dr. Carter?""
My mother repeated the name as if she had heard something impossible.
I picked up the photograph from the floor.
"Mom, who is he?""
She sat down slowly.
"He was your father's physician.""
I frowned.
"Why would he write a medical report about you?""
Mom shook her head.
"He wouldn't.""
"Do you know him well?""
"Very well. He treated your father for years. He attended his funeral. He even helped me after your father died.""
I looked at the phone.
"Daniel, did the report include a date?""
"Yes. Three weeks ago.""
My mother closed her eyes.
Three weeks ago.
That was when Diane had started staying in our house.
That was when Nia had begun asking questions about her savings.
That was when my mother had started avoiding the living room.
I looked at her.
"Did you visit Dr. Carter three weeks ago?""
"No.""
"Did he call you?""
"No.""
Daniel spoke again.
"Marcus, I need to know whether Evelyn has any history of cognitive problems.""
I glanced at my mother.
She looked offended.
"Tell him I can still remember my own birthday.""
I almost smiled.
"She's perfectly capable of managing her affairs.""
"Good. Don't confront anyone about the medical report yet. I'll contact the clinic and request verification.""
After ending the call, I sat beside Mom.
"Do you want to tell me something about Dr. Carter?""
She stared at the silver key in my hand.
Then she nodded.
"Your father trusted him more than anyone.""
"Then why would he do this?""
"I don't know.""
She stood and walked toward the dresser.
There was an old address book inside the drawer.
She flipped through the pages until she found a number.
Her hands trembled as she dialed.
A man's voice answered.
"Hello?""
"Samuel?""
There was a long pause.
"Evelyn?""
"It's me.""
His voice changed.
"How are you?""
Mom looked at me.
"I need to ask you something. Did you recently sign a medical report about my mental capacity?""
Silence.
Then he said something that made my blood run cold.
"No.""
Mom gripped the phone.
"What?""
"I haven't examined you in years, Evelyn. I haven't signed anything.""
"Are you sure?""
"Absolutely.""
I leaned forward.
"Dr. Carter, this is Marcus Evans.""
"Marcus. My goodness. How are you?""
"Someone submitted a report using your name, claiming my mother is mentally incapable of managing her finances.""
The doctor exhaled sharply.
"That's impossible.""
"Can you confirm that in writing?""
"Of course. But Marcus, I need to tell you something.""
My stomach tightened.
"What?""
"Someone called my office last month asking for copies of your mother's old medical records.""
"Who?""
"I was told it was an insurance representative. But the request came from a law office.""
"Which law office?""
The doctor paused.
"Reynolds and Associates.""
I looked at Mom.
She closed her eyes.
"Thank you, Doctor," I said.
"Marcus, I want you to know something. Your mother was one of the most capable people I've ever known. She managed your father's business accounts for years.""
I glanced at the wooden box.
"She never told me that.""
"Your father insisted she understand everything about the trust. He knew he might not be around forever.""
After we ended the call, Mom sat silently.
I reached for her hand.
"Why did you tell me you knew nothing about the trust?""
She gave a tired smile.
"Because I didn't want you growing up thinking money was more important than people.""
I squeezed her hand.
"You're not responsible for what Diane did.""
She looked at me.
"Neither are you.""
I nodded.
But I wasn't so sure.
Because I had brought Nia into my mother's life.
I had allowed her to believe that my wife would protect her.
And now someone was trying to take everything from her.
The following morning, Daniel arrived at the house.
He brought a thick folder and a laptop.
We sat around the dining table while Mom prepared coffee.
Daniel opened the folder.
"First, the medical report. Dr. Carter has confirmed he didn't sign it. His office is preparing an affidavit.""
"Good.""
"Second, the property filing. The signature attributed to Marcus appears to be a forgery. We have the contractor's invoice and payment records disproving Diane's claimed contribution.""
He placed several documents on the table.
"Third, the trust.""
Mom sat down.
Daniel turned toward her.
"Mrs. Evans, I need to ask you something. Do you still have the original trust agreement and all amendments?""
Mom nodded.
"Yes.""
"Have you ever authorized anyone to access the trust?""
"No.""
"Have you ever signed a document transferring your interest to Diane Whitmore?""
"Never.""
Daniel nodded.
"Then we have a strong foundation to challenge the current filings.""
I leaned forward.
"What about the three million dollars?""
Daniel opened another folder.
"That's where things become complicated.""
He placed a spreadsheet in front of us.
It showed a series of transfers from the family trust over several years.
The amounts ranged from $15,000 to $240,000.
Each transfer had been authorized under the name of a company associated with Diane's family.
Mom studied the page.
Then she pointed to one entry.
"That's the same account.""
Daniel looked at her.
"Which account?""
"Your father's original investment account.""
He nodded.
"Yes.""
Mom's eyes filled.
"That money was supposed to be protected.""
Daniel continued.
"The transfers began twenty-seven years ago. We don't yet know who authorized all of them.""
I stared at the spreadsheet.
"How much is missing?""
"Approximately $2.8 million, based on the available records.""
Mom covered her mouth.
"Robert would never have allowed that.""
Daniel looked at her.
"Mrs. Evans, I believe someone may have used Robert Whitmore's authority after his death.""
Mom went pale.
I turned another page.
There was a signature beside several transactions.
It looked familiar.
I compared it with the photograph of my father's old business partner.
"That's Robert's signature.""
Daniel nodded.
"That's what the documents claim.""
Mom shook her head.
"Robert died before some of these transfers.""
Daniel looked up.
"Are you certain?""
"I attended his funeral. He died twenty-four years ago.""
Daniel stared at the dates.
Then he slowly closed the folder.
"That means someone was signing his name after his death.""
I felt a chill move through me.
"Who had access to the account?""
Mom looked toward the stairs.
Then she said:
"Diane.""
Daniel wrote something down.
"Why would she have access?""
Mom took a breath.
"Because Robert trusted his daughter. He made her the backup administrator before he died.""
I leaned back.
"Then she could move the money?""
"Only with authorization from the other trustee.""
Daniel looked at me.
"Who was the other trustee?""
Mom's eyes filled with tears.
"Your father.""
A long silence followed.
Then Daniel spoke.
"Marcus, we need to retrieve the original documents from the safety deposit box as soon as possible.""
I reached into my pocket and touched the silver key.
"We're going today.""
But before we could leave, my phone rang.
It was Nia.
I considered ignoring it.
Then I answered.
"Hello?""
Her voice was barely audible.
"Marcus, I need to see you.""
"Why?""
"Because I found something.""
"What?""
She began crying.
"Something Mom has been hiding.""
I looked at Daniel.
He raised his eyebrows.
I lowered my voice.
"Where are you?""
"At the house.""
I looked toward the staircase.
Nia was supposed to be packing.
"What did you find?""
She whispered:
"The original transfer agreement. The one that proves Diane wasn't acting alone.""
My stomach tightened.
"Who was helping her?""
There was a long pause.
May you like
Then Nia said:
"Your father.""
