Chapter 9: The Evidence Denise Couldn't Explain
The next morning, Maya and I sat across from Daniel Foster in his office.
This time, a second solicitor was present.
Her name was Helen Carter.
She specialized in trust disputes and financial misconduct.
Maya looked nervous.
I placed my hand over hers.
Daniel opened the disputed management agreement.
"Before we begin," Helen said, "I want to reassure you that no changes have been made to the trust. The trustees have rejected the request.""
Maya nodded.
Helen continued.
"We need to establish whether the signature is forged and whether anyone attempted to obtain control of the property through misrepresentation.""
She placed the document in front of Maya.
"Have you ever seen this?""
Maya shook her head.
"No.""
"Have you ever met with Denise and Patricia to discuss managing the property?""
"No.""
"Have you signed anything authorizing either woman to act on your behalf?""
"Never.""
Helen made a note.
Then she asked Maya to provide examples of her genuine signature.
Maya signed several sheets.
Helen compared them with the disputed document.
After several minutes, she looked up.
"The signatures appear inconsistent. We will arrange an independent examination.""
I asked the question that had been bothering me.
"Why would Patricia claim she met Maya?""
Helen folded her hands.
"That is something we need to establish.""
Daniel turned his laptop toward us.
"We also received a response from the property company.""
He opened an email.
The townhouse purchase had been delayed.
The seller had requested additional proof of funds after the escrow company raised concerns about the source of the deposit.
I leaned closer.
"Did Denise disclose where the money came from?""
"She represented that the funds were personal savings.""
I looked at the transfer record.
"But eighteen thousand five hundred dollars came from our joint account.""
"Correct.""
Helen nodded.
"That is a separate financial matter between you and Denise. We recommend you obtain independent advice regarding your joint assets and the credit card liability.""
I agreed.
Then Daniel opened another file.
"There is something else. We found a communication between Denise and Patricia.""
He read the message aloud.
"Once the beneficiary signs, we can move forward. Marcus must not know the property is being transferred until the company is established.""
My chest tightened.
Maya squeezed my hand.
Daniel continued.
"Another message refers to the proposed sale of the property.""
I looked at him.
"Sale?""
He nodded.
"The plan appears to have involved placing the property under the company's management, obtaining financing against it, and eventually selling or refinancing it.""
Maya looked confused.
"Would that mean I lost the building?""
Helen answered carefully.
"Not automatically. But it could have placed your inheritance at significant risk if the documents had been accepted and the company obtained authority it wasn't entitled to.""
I felt sick.
Angela's parents had worked hard to provide something for their granddaughter.
And Denise had apparently spent months trying to put it beyond Maya's control.
I looked at Maya.
"Your mother wanted you to have security.""
Maya's eyes filled.
"I know.""
Helen closed the folder.
"We have enough concerns to justify a formal investigation. We also recommend that Maya avoid direct communication with Denise about the trust.""
I nodded.
Then I asked:
"What about Patricia?""
"She will be contacted through the appropriate legal channels.""
We left the office shortly after noon.
On the drive home, Maya stared out the window.
After several minutes, she spoke.
"Dad?""
"Yes?""
"Do you think Denise ever loved me?""
I tightened my grip on the steering wheel.
I wanted to give her a comforting answer.
But I didn't want to lie.
"I think she wanted the appearance of being a family. I don't know whether she ever understood what loving you actually required.""
Maya looked down.
"I used to think if I tried harder, she'd like me.""
I glanced at her.
"You never had to earn your place.""
She wiped her cheek.
"I know that now.""
When we reached home, Jordan was waiting outside.
He opened the passenger door.
"There's a problem.""
I frowned.
"What?""
He held up his phone.
"Mom called Brianna.""
I looked at Maya.
"What did she say?""
Jordan took a breath.
"She wants everybody to meet her at Patricia's house tonight.""
"Why?""
"She says she has proof that Maya agreed to the transfer.""
Maya shook her head.
"That's impossible.""
"I know," Jordan said.
He showed us a message.
*Denise:* I have the original paperwork. If Maya wants to avoid embarrassing everybody, she should come and discuss this privately.
I looked at the screen.
Then I called Daniel.
He answered immediately.
"Mr. Bennett?""
I explained the message.
He was silent for a moment.
"Do not attend a private meeting without legal representation. If she claims to have original documents, ask her to provide them to the solicitors.""
I agreed.
But then Maya spoke.
"I want to go.""
I turned toward her.
"No.""
"Dad, I want to hear what she has to say.""
"She has already threatened you.""
"I know.""
"Then why?""
Maya looked at me.
"Because I'm tired of being afraid of her.""
I studied my daughter.
She wasn't the frightened girl who had been packing a suitcase behind her bedroom door anymore.
She was still hurt.
Still grieving.
But she was no longer willing to disappear to keep everybody else comfortable.
I nodded slowly.
"Then we go with Daniel and Helen. Nobody meets her alone.""
That evening, we arrived at Patricia's house.
Daniel and Helen came separately.
Jordan and Brianna joined us.
Patricia opened the door.
She looked startled when she saw the solicitors.
"I thought this was a family conversation.""
Daniel smiled politely.
"Then there should be no problem discussing the documents in their presence.""
Patricia stepped aside.
Denise was sitting in the living room.
She wore a dark blue dress and had a folder on her lap.
When she saw Maya, she stood.
"Finally.""
Maya remained beside me.
"Show me the original paperwork.""
Denise looked offended.
"Hello to you too.""
"Show me.""
Denise opened the folder.
She removed a document and placed it on the coffee table.
"I have your signed authorization.""
Maya didn't touch it.
Helen picked it up.
She studied the page.
Then she looked at Denise.
"Where did you obtain this?""
"From Maya.""
Maya shook her head.
"I never gave you that.""
Denise sighed.
"You're making this unnecessarily difficult.""
Helen pointed toward the signature.
"Ms. Bennett, do you have evidence that this was signed in your presence?""
Denise nodded.
"Patricia witnessed it.""
Patricia shifted in her chair.
Daniel turned toward her.
"Ms. Collins, were you physically present when Maya signed this document?""
Patricia hesitated.
"I believe so.""
Helen looked up.
"That isn't a yes.""
Patricia looked at Denise.
Denise's expression hardened.
"Tell them what happened.""
Patricia swallowed.
"I remember the paperwork.""
Daniel asked again.
"Did you witness Maya signing this document?""
Silence.
Then Patricia said:
"No.""
Denise stood abruptly.
"Patricia!""
Patricia's eyes filled.
"I'm sorry.""
I looked at Denise.
"Why did you do this?""
She turned toward me.
"Because nobody was listening!""
Maya stepped forward.
"You didn't need to take my inheritance to make somebody listen to you.""
Denise pointed at her.
"You have no idea what I've sacrificed!""
Maya's voice trembled, but she didn't look away.
"I gave you money when you said Brianna needed help. I helped Jordan when you asked. I paid bills.
I worked. I stayed quiet when you made me feel unwanted.""
She took a breath.
"And you still wanted more.""
Denise's face crumpled.
"I wanted to give my children a better life.""
Jordan stood.
"Mom, we never asked you to do this.""
Brianna nodded through tears.
"Neither did I.""
Denise looked around the room.
Then she turned toward Patricia.
"You said this would work.""
Patricia shook her head.
"Don't put this on me.""
Denise's voice rose.
"You helped me!""
"I didn't know you were going to submit a false signature!""
Daniel immediately interrupted.
"That's enough. We have heard sufficient statements for today.""
Helen collected the documents.
"We will preserve these records and provide them to the relevant investigators.""
Denise sat down.
For the first time, she looked completely defeated.
As we prepared to leave, she called Maya.
"Wait.""
Maya stopped.
Denise's voice was suddenly quiet.
"Can we talk alone?""
Maya shook her head.
"No.""
Denise looked at me.
"Marcus, please.""
I didn't answer.
She looked back at Maya.
"I never wanted things to go this far.""
Maya stared at her.
"But you wanted me gone.""
Denise began crying.
Maya continued.
"You wanted me to sign away something my grandparents left me. And when I refused, you tried to make me feel like I didn't belong in my own home.""
Denise covered her face.
Maya turned toward the door.
I followed her.
Outside, Jordan caught up with us.
He looked shaken.
"Marcus.""
I stopped.
"What?""
He glanced toward the house.
"There's one more thing you need to know.""
I frowned.
"What now?""
Jordan took a breath.
"Mom told me the townhouse wasn't really for us.""
I stared at him.
"Then who was it for?""
He looked toward the dark windows.
"Patricia.""
I froze.
Jordan continued.
"Mom promised her a percentage of the property company. And I think Patricia was supposed to get the townhouse after everything went through.""
I looked at Maya.
She closed her eyes.
The inheritance had never been intended to help the family.
It had been part of a plan between two women.
And Denise had been willing to destroy her marriage, her relationship with her stepchildren, and a young woman's sense of security to complete it.
But the next morning, Daniel called with news that changed everything again.
The investigators had found something inside the original company registration.
A document Denise had signed herself.
And it contained a statement that made no sense.
May you like
She had claimed to be Maya's legal guardian.
Even though Maya was twenty-two years old.
