Chapter 5: The Secret Hidden in My Father's Will
Martin Shaw's office looked exactly as I remembered it.
Dark wooden shelves lined the walls. Framed law degrees hung above a leather sofa, and a brass clock ticked steadily beside the reception desk. Even the faint smell of old paper and furniture polish brought back memories of visiting my father here as a little girl.
The only difference was Martin himself.
At seventy it.
Dark wooden shelves lined the walls. Framed law degrees hung above a leather sofa, and a brass clock ticked steadily beside the reception desk. Even the faint smell of old paper and furniture polish brought back memories of visiting my father here as a little girl.
The only difference was Martin himself.
At seventy-two, he walked with a cane and moved carefully, but his eyes remained sharp behind his glasses. He greeted me warmly, looked down at Harper, and immediately asked whether I needed a more comfortable chair.
“I brought coffee,” he said, indicating a tray.
“Though Rachel tells me new mothers are-two, he walked with a cane and moved carefully, but his eyes remained sharp behind his glasses. He greeted me warmly, looked down at Harper, and immediately asked whether I needed a more comfortable chair.
“I brought coffee,” he said, indicating a tray.
“Though Rachel tells me new mothers are usually too tired to drink it while it's hot.””
“I've discovered that most things are cold before I remember they're there,” I replied.
He smiled.
Then his expression changed as Rachel placed the disputed usually too tired to drink it while it's hot.””
“I've discovered that most things are cold before I remember they're there,” I replied.
He smiled.
Then his expression changed as Rachel placed the disputed power of attorney on his desk.
“I understand someone has been using my name,” Martin said.
Rachel nodded.
“Christopher Bennett says his mother obtained the document through you.””
Martin took his glasses off.
power of attorney on his desk.
“I understand someone has been using my name,” Martin said.
Rachel nodded.
“Christopher Bennett says his mother obtained the document through you.””
Martin took his glasses off.
“Then Christopher Bennett has been misinformed, or he is lying.””
He examined the paper carefully, moving his finger along the notarial certificate.
“I didn't prepare this document. I didn't sign it. I didn't witness Nora's signature, and I certainly didn't authorize anyone to use my name.””
I“Then Christopher Bennett has been misinformed, or he is lying.””
He examined the paper carefully, moving his finger along the notarial certificate.
“I didn't prepare this document. I didn't sign it. I didn't witness Nora's signature, and I certainly didn't authorize anyone to use my name.””
I felt a strange mixture of relief and dread.
“Then how did they get my father's information?”” I asked.
Martin leaned back.
“Your father kept unusually detailed records. His will, the original deed, the property surveys, and several financial documents were maintained in my office for years. After his death, some of those records were transferred to Rachel felt a strange mixture of relief and dread.
“Then how did they get my father's information?”” I asked.
Martin leaned back.
“Your father kept unusually detailed records. His will, the original deed, the property surveys, and several financial documents were maintained in my office for years. After his death, some of those records were transferred to Rachel during probate. Other archived files remained with me.””
“Could someone have copied them?””
“Certainly. But accessing an old document is not the same as having authority to create a new one.””
Rachel opened her notebook.
“Do during probate. Other archived files remained with me.””
“Could someone have copied them?””
“Certainly. But accessing an old document is not the same as having authority to create a new one.””
Rachel opened her notebook.
“Do you have records of anyone requesting copies of the Bennett estate files in the last six months?””
Martin nodded.
“My assistant checked yesterday. There was a request about eight weeks ago. Someone claimed to be acting on behalf of a family member.””
“Who made the request?””
“Brenda Bennett.””
I stared at him.
“What did you have records of anyone requesting copies of the Bennett estate files in the last six months?””
Martin nodded.
“My assistant checked yesterday. There was a request about eight weeks ago. Someone claimed to be acting on behalf of a family member.””
“Who made the request?””
“Brenda Bennett.””
I stared at him.
“What did she want?””
“The original deed, a copy of the will, and a schedule of the assets transferred to Nora.””
My fingers tightened around Harper's blanket.
“Why would she ask for those?””
Martin looked at me steadily.
“That is the question I hoped you could answer.””
“I had no idea she contacted you.””
“She she want?””
“The original deed, a copy of the will, and a schedule of the assets transferred to Nora.””
My fingers tightened around Harper's blanket.
“Why would she ask for those?””
Martin looked at me steadily.
“That is the question I hoped you could answer.””
“I had no idea she contacted you.””
“She told my assistant she was helping Christopher organize his family's financial affairs. She was very insistent that the documents were needed urgently.””
“Did you give them to her?””
“No. I refused. told my assistant she was helping Christopher organize his family's financial affairs. She was very insistent that the documents were needed urgently.””
“Did you give them to her?””
“No. I refused. Those documents were confidential, and she had no authority to request them on your behalf.””
Rachel glanced at me.
“That may explain why someone prepared a document using Martin's name. They could have copied information from another source, then tried to make the authorization appear legitimate.””
Martin reached into a desk drawer and removed a thin Those documents were confidential, and she had no authority to request them on your behalf.””
Rachel glanced at me.
“That may explain why someone prepared a document using Martin's name. They could have copied information from another source, then tried to make the authorization appear legitimate.””
Martin reached into a desk drawer and removed a thin folder.
“There is something else.””
He opened it and took out a photocopy of a letter written by my father.
I recognized Dad's handwriting immediately. His capital letters leaned slightly to the right, and he always drew a firm line beneath the date.
The folder.
“There is something else.””
He opened it and took out a photocopy of a letter written by my father.
I recognized Dad's handwriting immediately. His capital letters leaned slightly to the right, and he always drew a firm line beneath the date.
The letter was dated two months before his death.
Martin slid it toward me.
“Your father asked me to keep this with the estate records. He never instructed me to give it to you unless I believed someone was attempting to interfere with your inheritance.””
I read the first paragraph.
Then I read it again.
*Martin, I am letter was dated two months before his death.
Martin slid it toward me.
“Your father asked me to keep this with the estate records. He never instructed me to give it to you unless I believed someone was attempting to interfere with your inheritance.””
I read the first paragraph.
Then I read it again.
Martin, I am increasingly concerned about Christopher's interest in my financial affairs. He has asked several questions about the house, the deed, and whether Nora would have unrestricted authority to sell the property after my death.
My throat tightened.
I continued.
I do not wish increasingly concerned about Christopher's interest in my financial affairs. He has asked several questions about the house, the deed, and whether Nora would have unrestricted authority to sell the property after my death.
My throat tightened.
I continued.
I do not wish to interfere in my daughter's marriage. However, if my concerns prove justified, please ensure that Nora understands the difference between sharing her life with her husband and surrendering control of what I leave her.
I stopped to interfere in my daughter's marriage. However, if my concerns prove justified, please ensure that Nora understands the difference between sharing her life with her husband and surrendering control of what I leave her.*
I stopped reading.
For a moment, I couldn't see the rest of the page.
My father had known something was wrong.
He hadn't accused Christopher outright. He hadn't asked me to leave my husband. He had simply tried to protect me in the only way he could reading.
For a moment, I couldn't see the rest of the page.
My father had known something was wrong.
He hadn't accused Christopher outright. He hadn't asked me to leave my husband. He had simply tried to protect me in the only way he could without destroying the life he hoped I would build.
Martin spoke softly.
“Your father loved you very much, Nora. He was proud of your marriage at first. But he was also a careful without destroying the life he hoped I would build.
Martin spoke softly.
“Your father loved you very much, Nora. He was proud of your marriage at first. But he was also a careful man, and he worried when Christopher began asking about the property.””
I wiped my eyes.
“Why didn't you show me this before?””
“Because your father explicitly asked me not to unless circumstances warranted it. He wanted man, and he worried when Christopher began asking about the property.””
I wiped my eyes.
“Why didn't you show me this before?””
“Because your father explicitly asked me not to unless circumstances warranted it. He wanted you to have the freedom to live your life without being haunted by his suspicions.””
Rachel turned the letter over.
“Did he mention Brenda?””
Martin hesitated.
“Not in this letter. But I remember a conversation with him you to have the freedom to live your life without being haunted by his suspicions.””
Rachel turned the letter over.
“Did he mention Brenda?””
Martin hesitated.
“Not in this letter. But I remember a conversation with him shortly before he died. He told me that Brenda had asked whether the inheritance could be placed under her son's control if Nora became incapacitated.””
My stomach twisted.
“Inc ap shortly before he died. He told me that Brenda had asked whether the inheritance could be placed under her son's control if Nora became incapacitated.””
My stomach twisted.
“Inc apacitated?””
“He was referring to circumstances in which you might be unable to manage your own affairs. Illness, injury, or something similar.””
The room seemed to grow colder.
I thought about the months of pregnancy, Christopheracitated?””
“He was referring to circumstances in which you might be unable to manage your own affairs. Illness, injury, or something similar.””
The room seemed to grow colder.
I thought about the months of pregnancy, Christopher's sudden interest in my father's papers, and the night I heard him say they would handle the sale while I was in the hospital.
They had not simply found an opportunity.
They had been waiting for one.
Rachel asked Martin whether he had any records of the original will.
He opened another drawer and removed a sealed envelope.
“Your father's original will is secure. I reviewed it yesterday's sudden interest in my father's papers, and the night I heard him say they would handle the sale while I was in the hospital.
They had not simply found an opportunity.
They had been waiting for one.
Rachel asked Martin whether he had any records of the original will.
He opened another drawer and removed a sealed envelope.
“Your father's original will is secure. I reviewed it yesterday after Rachel contacted me. The provisions are clear, and the property was transferred solely to Nora. There is no clause giving Christopher or Brenda any ownership interest.””
“Then why did Brenda ask for the documents?”” I whispered.
Martin's expression darkened.
“Because she may have wanted to know exactly what she needed to imitate.””
Rachel said nothing for a moment.
after Rachel contacted me. The provisions are clear, and the property was transferred solely to Nora. There is no clause giving Christopher or Brenda any ownership interest.””
“Then why did Brenda ask for the documents?”” I whispered.
Martin's expression darkened.
“Because she may have wanted to know exactly what she needed to imitate.””
Rachel said nothing for a moment.
Then she asked, “Martin, was there ever a later draft of the will?””
His eyes narrowed.
“Yes. Your father prepared an early draft several years before his death. It contained a different arrangement for the property, but he rejected it and signed aThen she asked, “Martin, was there ever a later draft of the will?””
His eyes narrowed.
“Yes. Your father prepared an early draft several years before his death. It contained a different arrangement for the property, but he rejected it and signed a new will.””
“What was the different arrangement?””
“He briefly considered leaving Christopher a financial interest in the property if he contributed to its upkeep. But he abandoned the idea. He told me he didn't want money to become a source of conflict in your marriage.””
I stared at him.
“Could someone have found that draft?””
“Possibly. It was stored separately from new will.””
“What was the different arrangement?””
“He briefly considered leaving Christopher a financial interest in the property if he contributed to its upkeep. But he abandoned the idea. He told me he didn't want money to become a source of conflict in your marriage.””
I stared at him.
“Could someone have found that draft?””
“Possibly. It was stored separately from the final will, and it was never executed.””
Rachel exchanged a look with Martin.
“An unsigned draft could be useful to someone trying to create the appearance of a right that never existed.””
Martin nodded.
“Especially if they misunderstood the legal effect of the final document.””
I thought of the unknown message from the night before.
Ask Christopher what happened to the original will.
the final will, and it was never executed.””
Rachel exchanged a look with Martin.
“An unsigned draft could be useful to someone trying to create the appearance of a right that never existed.””
Martin nodded.
“Especially if they misunderstood the legal effect of the final document.””
I thought of the unknown message from the night before.
Ask Christopher what happened to the original will.
“Martin,” I said, “has anyone ever reported the original will missing?””
“No. I have it here.””
“Then why would someone ask me about it?””
He folded his hands.
“Because they may have“Martin,” I said, “has anyone ever reported the original will missing?””
“No. I have it here.””
“Then why would someone ask me about it?””
He folded his hands.
“Because they may have been searching for something else.””
Rachel leaned forward.
“What else was in the archive?””
Martin considered the question.
“Your father kept a private memorandum with certain estate papers. It wasn't part of the will, and it wasn't legally binding. It recorded his concerns about people who had asked him for money and people been searching for something else.””
Rachel leaned forward.
“What else was in the archive?””
Martin considered the question.
“Your father kept a private memorandum with certain estate papers. It wasn't part of the will, and it wasn't legally binding. It recorded his concerns about people who had asked him for money and people he believed might attempt to pressure Nora in the future.””
“Was Brenda named?””
“I would need to check the original file.””
He rose slowly and crossed to he believed might attempt to pressure Nora in the future.””
“Was Brenda named?””
“I would need to check the original file.””
He rose slowly and crossed to a locked cabinet.
After opening two drawers, he removed a thick ledger and several folders, examining the labels one by one.
I held Harper close, listening to the clock tick.
Finally, Martin stopped.
“This is unusual.””
“What is it?”” Rachel asked.
He placed a locked cabinet.
After opening two drawers, he removed a thick ledger and several folders, examining the labels one by one.
I held Harper close, listening to the clock tick.
Finally, Martin stopped.
“This is unusual.””
“What is it?”” Rachel asked.
He placed a folder on the desk.
“The inventory sheet indicates that a small envelope was removed from this file approximately a month before your father died.””
“By whom?”” I asked.
Martin checked the record.
“There is no name. Only an authorization code entered by my former office manager.””
“Who was the office manager?””
“Den a folder on the desk.
“The inventory sheet indicates that a small envelope was removed from this file approximately a month before your father died.””
“By whom?”” I asked.
Martin checked the record.
“There is no name. Only an authorization code entered by my former office manager.””
“Who was the office manager?””
“Denise Parker.””
The room went silent.
The same Denise Parker whose name appeared on the disputed power of attorney.
Rachel took a slow breath.
“Did she have permission to remove documents?””
“Notise Parker.””
The room went silent.
The same Denise Parker whose name appeared on the disputed power of attorney.
Rachel took a slow breath.
“Did she have permission to remove documents?””
“Not from that file. She was authorized to make copies of routine correspondence, but not to remove original estate materials.””
“Was she dismissed?””
“No. She resigned two months later.””
Martin lowered himself into his chair.
“At the time, I believed she'd found a better position. I had no reason to suspect anything else.””
I looked from that file. She was authorized to make copies of routine correspondence, but not to remove original estate materials.””
“Was she dismissed?””
“No. She resigned two months later.””
Martin lowered himself into his chair.
“At the time, I believed she'd found a better position. I had no reason to suspect anything else.””
I looked at the inventory sheet.
“Do you know what was in the envelope?””
“No,” he said.
“But your father attached a note to the ledger.””
He carefully lifted a loose page tucked inside the folder.
The handwriting was unmistakably Dad's.
*If the original agreement disappears, do not assume it at the inventory sheet.
“Do you know what was in the envelope?””
“No,” he said.
“But your father attached a note to the ledger.””
He carefully lifted a loose page tucked inside the folder.
The handwriting was unmistakably Dad's.
If the original agreement disappears, do not assume it was destroyed. There is a second copy in the place Christopher once promised never to search.
Rachel looked at me.
“What agreement?””
I read the note again, trying to remember the house as it had been when my father was alive.
The basement workshop.
The was destroyed. There is a second copy in the place Christopher once promised never to search.*
Rachel looked at me.
“What agreement?””
I read the note again, trying to remember the house as it had been when my father was alive.
The basement workshop.
The old desk near the fireplace.
The locked cabinet where he kept tools and photographs.
Then a memory surfaced.
When Christopher and I first moved in together, Dad had taken us into his study and shown us a small metal box. He had said it contained personal papers that were to old desk near the fireplace.
The locked cabinet where he kept tools and photographs.
Then a memory surfaced.
When Christopher and I first moved in together, Dad had taken us into his study and shown us a small metal box. He had said it contained personal papers that were to remain private.
Christopher had laughed and promised he would never touch it.
At the time, I had thought the conversation was an odd bit of family sentiment.
Now I understood why Dad had mentioned Christopher at all.
“It's still in the house,” I whispered.
Martin nodded.
“Then I suggest you find it before anyone else does.””
Rachel closed remain private.
Christopher had laughed and promised he would never touch it.
At the time, I had thought the conversation was an odd bit of family sentiment.
Now I understood why Dad had mentioned Christopher at all.
“It's still in the house,” I whispered.
Martin nodded.
“Then I suggest you find it before anyone else does.””
Rachel closed the folder.
“We'll make arrangements to secure the remaining records. Nora, you should not search the property alone, especially while this situation remains unsettled.””
I agreed.
But as we stood to leave, Martin caught the folder.
“We'll make arrangements to secure the remaining records. Nora, you should not search the property alone, especially while this situation remains unsettled.””
I agreed.
But as we stood to leave, Martin caught my attention.
“One more thing,” he said.
I turned.
“I checked Denise Parker's professional status this morning. She stopped practicing several months ago. But before she left, she my attention.
“One more thing,” he said.
I turned.
“I checked Denise Parker's professional status this morning. She stopped practicing several months ago. But before she left, she requested copies of several archived documents relating to your father's estate.””
“Which documents?””
Martin picked up a final sheet.
“The old draft will. The original property survey. And a letter your requested copies of several archived documents relating to your father's estate.””
“Which documents?””
Martin picked up a final sheet.
“The old draft will. The original property survey. And a letter your father wrote to me about a private financial arrangement.””
I stared at the paper.
“What financial arrangement?””
Martin looked down at the final line on the inventory.
It listed a company name I recognized from Christopher's business correspondence.
*Bennett Construction Group.*
And beneath it, in handwriting that was not my father's, someone father wrote to me about a private financial arrangement.””
I stared at the paper.
“What financial arrangement?””
Martin looked down at the final line on the inventory.
It listed a company name I recognized from Christopher's business correspondence.
*Bennett Construction Group.*
And beneath it, in handwriting that was not my father's, someone had added a note:
Outstanding debt. Personal guarantee disputed.
May you like
had added a note:
Outstanding debt. Personal guarantee disputed.
