Chapter 9: The Woman Who Knew Too Much
Patricia## Chapter 9: The Woman Who Knew Too Much
Patricia Wells called me Wells called me the next morning.
I was in my office reviewing a construction contract when my phone rang. Her name appeared on the screen, along the next morning.
I was in my office reviewing a construction contract when my phone rang. Her name appeared on the screen, along with a number I recognized from the correspondence David had shown me.
I let it ring twice before answering.
"Mr. Bennett," with a number I recognized from the correspondence David had shown me.
I let it ring twice before answering.
"Mr. Bennett," she said.
"I believe we need to speak.""
"About what?""
"Your property documents.""
I leaned back in my chair.
"Which documents?""
"The filing concerning your house. I understand you've obtained legal representation she said.
"I believe we need to speak.""
"About what?""
"Your property documents.""
I leaned back in my chair.
"Which documents?""
"The filing concerning your house. I understand you've obtained legal representation.""
"I have.""
"Then I suggest our attorneys communicate directly.""
"That sounds sensible. Why are you calling me?""
A pause.
"Because I believe you're making assumptions.""
"I have.""
"Then I suggest our attorneys communicate directly.""
"That sounds sensible. Why are you calling me?""
A pause.
"Because I believe you're making assumptions about my involvement that could damage several people's reputations.""
I almost smiled.
"You requested certified copies of a property filing connected to a suspected unauthorized signature. Your name appears about my involvement that could damage several people's reputations.""
I almost smiled.
"You requested certified copies of a property filing connected to a suspected unauthorized signature. Your name appears in correspondence with Richard Brooks, and your name appears in documents Denise kept in a locked room in my basement. What assumptions am I making?""
Patricia exhaled.
"I never prepared a fraudulent document.""
"I didn't say you did.""
"Your tone in correspondence with Richard Brooks, and your name appears in documents Denise kept in a locked room in my basement. What assumptions am I making?""
Patricia exhaled.
"I never prepared a fraudulent document.""
"I didn't say you did.""
"Your tone suggests otherwise.""
"My tone reflects the fact that someone tried to alter the legal arrangements for my house without my permission.""
"Then you should be careful about accusing people before you suggests otherwise.""
"My tone reflects the fact that someone tried to alter the legal arrangements for my house without my permission.""
"Then you should be careful about accusing people before you have all the facts.""
"I agree.""
That seemed to catch her off guard.
I continued.
"Which is why my attorney is handling the matter.""
" have all the facts.""
"I agree.""
That seemed to catch her off guard.
I continued.
"Which is why my attorney is handling the matter.""
"Mr. Bennett, there are aspects of Alicia's estate that you don't understand.""
"Then explain them.""
"I can't discuss confidential client information.""
"Then we have nothing toMr. Bennett, there are aspects of Alicia's estate that you don't understand.""
"Then explain them.""
"I can't discuss confidential client information.""
"Then we have nothing to discuss.""
I ended the call.
My hands were shaking, but I wasn't sure whether it was anger or the exhaustion of living inside a mystery that kept revealing new layers.
I called David and told him what had happened.
He asked me discuss.""
I ended the call.
My hands were shaking, but I wasn't sure whether it was anger or the exhaustion of living inside a mystery that kept revealing new layers.
I called David and told him what had happened.
He asked me to forward Patricia's call details and any follow-up messages.
"Don't engage with her further," he said.
"We'll contact her through the appropriate channels. If she has information relevant to the to forward Patricia's call details and any follow-up messages.
"Don't engage with her further," he said.
"We'll contact her through the appropriate channels. If she has information relevant to the filing, she can provide it through the proper process.""
An hour later, David sent me a copy of a letter he'd received from Patricia's firm.
It stated that she represented a client with an interest in the filing, she can provide it through the proper process.""
An hour later, David sent me a copy of a letter he'd received from Patricia's firm.
It stated that she represented a client with an interest in the property dispute and requested that all further communication go through counsel.
The client was not named.
But a reference number appeared at the bottom.
David was checking it.
I returned to work, hoping property dispute and requested that all further communication go through counsel.
The client was not named.
But a reference number appeared at the bottom.
David was checking it.
I returned to work, hoping the ordinary routine would help me think clearly.
At eleven, Leon walked into my office holding a folder.
"Marcus, I found something in the company archive.""
He placed it on my desk.
"What is it?""
"A set of invoices from a document preparation service. They were submitted the ordinary routine would help me think clearly.
At eleven, Leon walked into my office holding a folder.
"Marcus, I found something in the company archive.""
He placed it on my desk.
"What is it?""
"A set of invoices from a document preparation service. They were submitted for reimbursement through the household account you use for property expenses.""
I opened the folder.
The invoices listed document scanning, signature for reimbursement through the household account you use for property expenses.""
I opened the folder.
The invoices listed document scanning, signature-page preparation, and courier services.
The dates matched the period before the suspicious property filing.
The customer name was Richard Brooks's business.
But the billing-page preparation, and courier services.
The dates matched the period before the suspicious property filing.
The customer name was Richard Brooks's business.
But the billing address was our home.
"Who approved these?"" I asked.
Leon checked the paperwork.
"They weren't paid through the company. They were charged to a household card connected to your joint account.""
I studied the invoices.
"Can you tell what documents they prepared?""
"Not from the invoices address was our home.
"Who approved these?"" I asked.
Leon checked the paperwork.
"They weren't paid through the company. They were charged to a household card connected to your joint account.""
I studied the invoices.
"Can you tell what documents they prepared?""
"Not from the invoices alone. There's a reference to a file number, but we don't have the underlying documents.""
I photographed the pages and sent them to David.
He responded that the invoices could be relevant, alone. There's a reference to a file number, but we don't have the underlying documents.""
I photographed the pages and sent them to David.
He responded that the invoices could be relevant, but we needed the original records and a proper accounting trail before drawing conclusions.
I understood.
I was learning that evidence wasn't simply something that supported what I already believed.
It was something that had to survive scrutiny.
At noon but we needed the original records and a proper accounting trail before drawing conclusions.
I understood.
I was learning that evidence wasn't simply something that supported what I already believed.
It was something that had to survive scrutiny.
At noon, I met Angela for lunch.
She had been helping Maya catch up on schoolwork and had offered to take her to a college information session that weekend.
When she arrived, I met Angela for lunch.
She had been helping Maya catch up on schoolwork and had offered to take her to a college information session that weekend.
When she arrived, she looked tired.
"How's Maya?"" I asked.
"She's doing better. She laughed at breakfast this morning.""
I smiled faintly.
"That's good.""
"She still worries about Jordan, she looked tired.
"How's Maya?"" I asked.
"She's doing better. She laughed at breakfast this morning.""
I smiled faintly.
"That's good.""
"She still worries about Jordan and Noah.""
"Jordan has been honest with me.""
Angela stirred her coffee.
"That boy is carrying a lot.""
"I know.""
She looked at me carefully.
"Marcus, what are you going to do when this and Noah.""
"Jordan has been honest with me.""
Angela stirred her coffee.
"That boy is carrying a lot.""
"I know.""
She looked at me carefully.
"Marcus, what are you going to do when this is over?""
I frowned.
"What do you mean?""
"After the divorce. After the house. After all the legal problems. What are you going to do with yourself?""
I looked through the restaurant window.
For years, I'd organized is over?""
I frowned.
"What do you mean?""
"After the divorce. After the house. After all the legal problems. What are you going to do with yourself?""
I looked through the restaurant window.
For years, I'd organized my life around work, Maya, and the belief that if I provided enough stability, everything else would eventually fall into place.
Now I was facing the possibility that the woman I had married had been trying to use my life around work, Maya, and the belief that if I provided enough stability, everything else would eventually fall into place.
Now I was facing the possibility that the woman I had married had been trying to use that stability for her own purposes.
"I don't know," I admitted.
Angela reached across the table.
"Then don't decide everything right now. You need to protect Maya, that stability for her own purposes.
"I don't know," I admitted.
Angela reached across the table.
"Then don't decide everything right now. You need to protect Maya, but you also need to remember that your life isn't over because this marriage is.""
I nodded.
Then my phone rang.
It was Jordan.
"Mr. Bennett, can you come to the house?""
"What's wrong but you also need to remember that your life isn't over because this marriage is.""
I nodded.
Then my phone rang.
It was Jordan.
"Mr. Bennett, can you come to the house?""
"What's wrong?""
"Mom's packing things.""
I stood.
"What things?""
"Documents. She said she's going to stay with a friend, but she's taking the folders from the basement.""
I?""
"Mom's packing things.""
I stood.
"What things?""
"Documents. She said she's going to stay with a friend, but she's taking the folders from the basement.""
I grabbed my keys.
"Don't touch anything, Jordan. Don't argue with her. I'm on my way.""
I called David from the car.
He told me to avoid confrontation and contact the appropriate authorities if I believed evidence was being removed unlawfully grabbed my keys.
"Don't touch anything, Jordan. Don't argue with her. I'm on my way.""
I called David from the car.
He told me to avoid confrontation and contact the appropriate authorities if I believed evidence was being removed unlawfully. He also reminded me that the house was my property, but I should not assume I had the right to seize another person's belongings or search private devices.
I understood.
When I arrived, Denise's car was parked in the driveway.
Two suitcases stood near the front door.
She was carrying a plastic storage bin toward the garage.
I. He also reminded me that the house was my property, but I should not assume I had the right to seize another person's belongings or search private devices.
I understood.
When I arrived, Denise's car was parked in the driveway.
Two suitcases stood near the front door.
She was carrying a plastic storage bin toward the garage.
I got out.
"Denise.""
She stopped.
Her face hardened.
"Don't start.""
"What are you taking?""
"My personal belongings.""
"Then take your clothes and personal items. Leave the household records got out.
"Denise.""
She stopped.
Her face hardened.
"Don't start.""
"What are you taking?""
"My personal belongings.""
"Then take your clothes and personal items. Leave the household records where they are until the attorneys sort out what's relevant.""
She laughed.
"You don't get to tell me what to do.""
"I'm asking you not to remove documents connected to the property dispute where they are until the attorneys sort out what's relevant.""
She laughed.
"You don't get to tell me what to do.""
"I'm asking you not to remove documents connected to the property dispute.""
"You've turned this house into a crime scene.""
"No. The paperwork did that.""
She placed the bin in her trunk.
I could see.""
"You've turned this house into a crime scene.""
"No. The paperwork did that.""
She placed the bin in her trunk.
I could see folders inside.
"Are those the documents from the basement?""
"They're mine.""
"Some of them contain my personal records and Maya's private information.""
"Then talk to your attorney.""
She slammed the trunk.
Jordan stood in the doorway, pale and silent.
Denise looked at him.
" folders inside.
"Are those the documents from the basement?""
"They're mine.""
"Some of them contain my personal records and Maya's private information.""
"Then talk to your attorney.""
She slammed the trunk.
Jordan stood in the doorway, pale and silent.
Denise looked at him.
"Get inside.""
He didn't move.
"Jordan!""
He flinched but stayed where he was.
I stepped forward.
"He's allowed to stand on the porch.""
DeniseGet inside.""
He didn't move.
"Jordan!""
He flinched but stayed where he was.
I stepped forward.
"He's allowed to stand on the porch.""
Denise turned toward me.
"You're poisoning my children against me.""
"No. I'm giving them permission to tell the truth.""
Her face twisted.
"You think you're better than me because you have money and a big house? You think everyone turned toward me.
"You're poisoning my children against me.""
"No. I'm giving them permission to tell the truth.""
Her face twisted.
"You think you're better than me because you have money and a big house? You think everyone should bow to your daughter because her mother died?""
I felt anger rise, but I kept my voice steady.
"This isn't about money. It's about what you did.""
"You don't know what I did!""
"Then should bow to your daughter because her mother died?""
I felt anger rise, but I kept my voice steady.
"This isn't about money. It's about what you did.""
"You don't know what I did!""
"Then explain the recording.""
Her face went blank.
For the first time, she had no immediate response.
I continued.
"Explain the property filing. Explain why your communications with Richard discuss getting me to sign documents before I discover the beneficiary agreement. Explain explain the recording.""
Her face went blank.
For the first time, she had no immediate response.
I continued.
"Explain the property filing. Explain why your communications with Richard discuss getting me to sign documents before I discover the beneficiary agreement. Explain why Alicia's letter disappeared from my office.""
Denise looked at Jordan.
Then back at me.
"Who gave you the recording?""
I didn't answer.
She took a step toward me.
why Alicia's letter disappeared from my office.""
Denise looked at Jordan.
Then back at me.
"Who gave you the recording?""
I didn't answer.
She took a step toward me.
"Was it Jordan?""
Jordan's face crumpled.
"Mom, please.""
Denise pointed at him.
"You had no right to record me!""
"I didn't know what you were doing," he said, his voice shaking.
"I just heard you talking about Dad and"Was it Jordan?""
Jordan's face crumpled.
"Mom, please.""
Denise pointed at him.
"You had no right to record me!""
"I didn't know what you were doing," he said, his voice shaking.
"I just heard you talking about Dad and Maya.""
"You went behind my back!""
"I was scared!""
The words rang through the driveway.
Denise stared at her son.
He wiped his face with his sleeve.
"You kept Maya.""
"You went behind my back!""
"I was scared!""
The words rang through the driveway.
Denise stared at her son.
He wiped his face with his sleeve.
"You kept telling me that Dad would take everything away from us if he found out. You said Maya was going to ruin our future. I didn't know what was true anymore.""
Denise's expression shifted from telling me that Dad would take everything away from us if he found out. You said Maya was going to ruin our future. I didn't know what was true anymore.""
Denise's expression shifted from anger to disbelief.
"Jordan, come here.""
He stepped backward.
"No.""
The single word seemed to wound her more deeply than anything I had said.
She looked at me.
"You're happy now, anger to disbelief.
"Jordan, come here.""
He stepped backward.
"No.""
The single word seemed to wound her more deeply than anything I had said.
She looked at me.
"You're happy now, aren't you? You've turned my own son against me.""
I shook my head.
"No, Denise. He made his own decision.""
She got into her car.
Before closing the door, she looked at Jordan aren't you? You've turned my own son against me.""
I shook my head.
"No, Denise. He made his own decision.""
She got into her car.
Before closing the door, she looked at Jordan.
"You'll regret this.""
Then she drove away.
Jordan stood on the porch, trembling.
I walked over and put a hand on his shoulder.
"You did nothing wrong by telling the truth.""
He.
"You'll regret this.""
Then she drove away.
Jordan stood on the porch, trembling.
I walked over and put a hand on his shoulder.
"You did nothing wrong by telling the truth.""
He looked at me.
"She's still my mom.""
"I know.""
"What if she never forgives me?""
I took a slow breath.
"You can't control whether she forgives you. You can control whether you tell looked at me.
"She's still my mom.""
"I know.""
"What if she never forgives me?""
I took a slow breath.
"You can't control whether she forgives you. You can control whether you tell the truth and how you treat people from this point forward.""
He nodded, though I could see he wasn't convinced.
Inside, I photographed the storage area and noted which documents appeared to be missing. I didn't enter the truth and how you treat people from this point forward.""
He nodded, though I could see he wasn't convinced.
Inside, I photographed the storage area and noted which documents appeared to be missing. I didn't enter Denise's private belongings or attempt to retrieve anything from her car.
David arranged for the relevant records to be addressed through the proper legal process.
That evening, he called with an update.
"We've identified the client Patricia Denise's private belongings or attempt to retrieve anything from her car.
David arranged for the relevant records to be addressed through the proper legal process.
That evening, he called with an update.
"We've identified the client Patricia Wells represents.""
"Who?""
"Richard Brooks.""
I closed my eyes.
"Does he have a legitimate interest in the trust?""
"He has a family connection, but his previous request to dissolve the trust was rejected. We are investigating whether his current involvement relates to the property filing or Wells represents.""
"Who?""
"Richard Brooks.""
I closed my eyes.
"Does he have a legitimate interest in the trust?""
"He has a family connection, but his previous request to dissolve the trust was rejected. We are investigating whether his current involvement relates to the property filing or the proposed trust arrangement.""
"Can we prove Denise worked with him?""
"We have the recording, the emails, and the invoices. Together, they provide reasons to investigate. But we still need authentication the proposed trust arrangement.""
"Can we prove Denise worked with him?""
"We have the recording, the emails, and the invoices. Together, they provide reasons to investigate. But we still need authentication and supporting records.""
I looked toward the kitchen.
The room where Denise had once promised me that Maya would never feel alone.
The room where she had and supporting records.""
I looked toward the kitchen.
The room where Denise had once promised me that Maya would never feel alone.
The room where she had later told my daughter to disappear from the family.
"What's next?"" I asked.
"Richard has agreed to provide a statement through his attorney. There's also a meeting scheduled with the relevant parties to discuss the filing and the trust documents.""
" later told my daughter to disappear from the family.
"What's next?"" I asked.
"Richard has agreed to provide a statement through his attorney. There's also a meeting scheduled with the relevant parties to discuss the filing and the trust documents.""
"Will Denise be there?""
"If her attorney attends, she may be. Don't contact her about the meeting.""
I thanked him and ended the call.
ForWill Denise be there?""
"If her attorney attends, she may be. Don't contact her about the meeting.""
I thanked him and ended the call.
For the first time, I believed the truth might finally emerge in a form that couldn't be dismissed as misunderstanding.
But the next morning, David sent me a message that changed everything again.
**Richard has the first time, I believed the truth might finally emerge in a form that couldn't be dismissed as misunderstanding.
But the next morning, David sent me a message that changed everything again.
*Richard has provided a preliminary statement. He claims Denise asked him to help obtain the property documents, but he says Patricia Wells was the person who prepared the proposed trust. We need to verify his account.*
I stared at the screen.
Denise provided a preliminary statement. He claims Denise asked him to help obtain the property documents, but he says Patricia Wells was the person who prepared the proposed trust. We need to verify his account.**
I stared at the screen.
Denise had blamed everyone else.
Richard was blaming Patricia.
Patricia was refusing to discuss her client.
And somewhere in the middle of their conflicting stories was the missing letter Alicia had written for Maya.
Then another message arrived.
**Richard also claims the original letter is had blamed everyone else.
Richard was blaming Patricia.
Patricia was refusing to discuss her client.
And somewhere in the middle of their conflicting stories was the missing letter Alicia had written for Maya.
Then another message arrived.
*Richard also claims the original letter is no longer in Denise's possession. He says she gave it to Patricia for review.*
I felt my pulse quicken.
Patricia had the letter.
The woman who knew about the old trust no longer in Denise's possession. He says she gave it to Patricia for review.**
I felt my pulse quicken.
Patricia had the letter.
The woman who knew about the old trust records.
The woman who had requested copies of the suspicious property filing.
The woman who now represented Richard.
I called David immediately.
"Can we get the letter back?""
"We'll request its preservation records.
The woman who had requested copies of the suspicious property filing.
The woman who now represented Richard.
I called David immediately.
"Can we get the letter back?""
"We'll request its preservation and return through counsel. If it is relevant to the estate or the investigation, we need to handle it carefully.""
I stared at the phone.
For three years, Denise had made my daughter and return through counsel. If it is relevant to the estate or the investigation, we need to handle it carefully.""
I stared at the phone.
For three years, Denise had made my daughter feel as though she had no right to belong.
Now I was beginning to understand that Maya's place in the family had never been the only thing Denise feel as though she had no right to belong.
Now I was beginning to understand that Maya's place in the family had never been the only thing Denise wanted to control.
She wanted control over the story itself.
Over what Alicia had written.
Over what Maya would inherit.
Over what I believed.
And over which version of the truth would survive when everyone finally stopped looking away.
wanted to control.
She wanted control over the story itself.
Over what Alicia had written.
Over what Maya would inherit.
May you like
Over what I believed.
And over which version of the truth would survive when everyone finally stopped looking away.
