Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Secret Elena Took to Her Grave
The letter arrived at: The Secret Elena Took to Her Grave
The letter arrived at 8:23 on a rainy Thursday 8:23 on a rainy Thursday morning, and Marcus knew something was wrong before he even opened it.
Pat morning, and Marcus knew something was wrong before he even opened it.
Patricia Wells had sent it by secure courier, along with a bank statement, a photocopy of a handwritten agreementricia Wells had sent it by secure courier, along with a bank statement, a photocopy of a handwritten agreement, and a sealed envelope bearing Elena's signature.
On the outside, Patricia had written three words.
**Do not open, and a sealed envelope bearing Elena's signature.
On the outside, Patricia had written three words.
*Do not open alone.*
Marcus stood in the kitchen, staring at the envelope while the coffee machine hissed behind him. Through the window, rain alone.**
Marcus stood in the kitchen, staring at the envelope while the coffee machine hissed behind him. Through the window, rain ran down the glass in crooked lines. Upstairs, Maya was getting ready for school, humming a ran down the glass in crooked lines. Upstairs, Maya was getting ready for school, humming a song she had learned in music class.
For several days, he had tried to make life feel normal again song she had learned in music class.
For several days, he had tried to make life feel normal again.
He had packed her lunches, listened to her stories, and let her choose what.
He had packed her lunches, listened to her stories, and let her choose what they watched in the evenings. He had even taken her to a bookstore, where she spent twenty they watched in the evenings. He had even taken her to a bookstore, where she spent twenty minutes deciding between two mystery novels before finally buying both.
But every time she went quiet, he wondered what minutes deciding between two mystery novels before finally buying both.
But every time she went quiet, he wondered what memory had returned.
Every time she glanced toward the front door, he wondered whether she was afraid Sondra would come memory had returned.
Every time she glanced toward the front door, he wondered whether she was afraid Sondra would come back.
And every time he looked at the empty chair at the dining table, he remembered the words his daughter had whispered on the staircase.
back.
And every time he looked at the empty chair at the dining table, he remembered the words his daughter had whispered on the staircase.
Why don't you want me here?
His phone rang.
Patricia.
"Marcus, did the courier deliverWhy don't you want me here?
His phone rang.
Patricia.
"Marcus, did the courier deliver the documents?""
"Yes. I'm looking at them now.""
"Good. I need you to understand that we the documents?""
"Yes. I'm looking at them now.""
"Good. I need you to understand that we have verified the existence of the payment to Sondra, but we have not yet established that the have verified the existence of the payment to Sondra, but we have not yet established that the money was obtained unlawfully. The original agreement may clarify that.""
He picked up the photocopy.
The handwriting was Elena's. The signature money was obtained unlawfully. The original agreement may clarify that.""
He picked up the photocopy.
The handwriting was Elena's. The signature at the bottom was unmistakable.
"What was the agreement?""
"A promise of repayment, at the bottom was unmistakable.
"What was the agreement?""
"A promise of repayment, accompanied by a confidentiality clause. Elena's notes suggest that the money was connected to a financial dispute Sondra had been involved accompanied by a confidentiality clause. Elena's notes suggest that the money was connected to a financial dispute Sondra had been involved in before your relationship began.""
Marcus frowned.
"What kind of dispute?""
"That is what we're trying to establish.""
He in before your relationship began.""
Marcus frowned.
"What kind of dispute?""
"That is what we're trying to establish.""
He turned the page.
The document stated that Sondra had received a substantial sum from Elena and agreed to repay it in turned the page.
The document stated that Sondra had received a substantial sum from Elena and agreed to repay it in installments. In return, Elena agreed not to disclose certain information about Sondra's financial circumstances to Marcus.
The agreement had been signed installments. In return, Elena agreed not to disclose certain information about Sondra's financial circumstances to Marcus.
The agreement had been signed three years before Elena died.
Marcus felt a cold knot tighten in his stomach.
"Why would Elena agree to keep something from three years before Elena died.
Marcus felt a cold knot tighten in his stomach.
"Why would Elena agree to keep something from me?""
"She may have been trying to prevent a personal matter from becoming a larger conflict. But I don't me?""
"She may have been trying to prevent a personal matter from becoming a larger conflict. But I don't want to speculate.""
He looked toward the stairs.
"Did Sondra repay the money?""
"Some want to speculate.""
He looked toward the stairs.
"Did Sondra repay the money?""
"Some payments were made. Others appear to have stopped.""
"How much remains outstanding?""
Patricia gave him the figure.
Marcus sat payments were made. Others appear to have stopped.""
"How much remains outstanding?""
Patricia gave him the figure.
Marcus sat down.
It was less than the original amount, but still enough to make his hands tremble.
"Was down.
It was less than the original amount, but still enough to make his hands tremble.
"Was this why Sondra approached Elena?""
"Possibly. The correspondence indicates they had a this why Sondra approached Elena?""
"Possibly. The correspondence indicates they had a financial relationship before you met Sondra. It doesn't yet tell us why that relationship began.""
Marcus rubbed financial relationship before you met Sondra. It doesn't yet tell us why that relationship began.""
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
"Then what does the letter say?""
"Elena's letter is addressed to you. She asked me to his forehead.
"Then what does the letter say?""
"Elena's letter is addressed to you. She asked me to preserve it in case the circumstances described in her notes ever occurred. I believe those circumstances may now preserve it in case the circumstances described in her notes ever occurred. I believe those circumstances may now exist.""
Marcus looked at the envelope again.
"Can I read it?""
"Of course. exist.""
Marcus looked at the envelope again.
"Can I read it?""
"Of course. But I would like you to remember that Elena wrote it while she was seriously ill. It may contain her fears as well as established facts.""
"I But I would like you to remember that Elena wrote it while she was seriously ill. It may contain her fears as well as established facts.""
"I understand.""
After the call ended, Marcus carried the documents into his study.
He shut the door, sat understand.""
After the call ended, Marcus carried the documents into his study.
He shut the door, sat at Elena's old desk, and carefully broke the seal.
Inside lay two pages.
The first began with a sentence that at Elena's old desk, and carefully broke the seal.
Inside lay two pages.
The first began with a sentence that made his heart ache.
*My darling Marcus, if you're reading this, I am no longer there to explain what I made his heart ache.
My darling Marcus, if you're reading this, I am no longer there to explain what I should have told you while I still could.
He stopped and pressed his fingers against his eyes.
Then he continued.
I should have told you while I still could.
He stopped and pressed his fingers against his eyes.
Then he continued.
I need you to know that I did not lend Sondra money because I trusted her. I lent it because I was afraid of what would happen need you to know that I did not lend Sondra money because I trusted her. I lent it because I was afraid of what would happen if I refused.
Marcus lowered the paper.
He read the sentence again.
Afraid.
His wife had been afraid of Sondra.
He if I refused.*
Marcus lowered the paper.
He read the sentence again.
Afraid.
His wife had been afraid of Sondra.
He continued reading.
*Several months before I became ill, I discovered that Sondra had been using the name of a charity to solicit private loans continued reading.
Several months before I became ill, I discovered that Sondra had been using the name of a charity to solicit private loans from people who believed they were helping families in financial difficulty. I don't know how much money was involved from people who believed they were helping families in financial difficulty. I don't know how much money was involved, and I cannot tell you whether every allegation was true.
When I confronted her, she insisted that she had been trying, and I cannot tell you whether every allegation was true.
When I confronted her, she insisted that she had been trying to help people who had nowhere else to turn. She said she had borrowed money to keep the operation running and that everything would be repaid.
to help people who had nowhere else to turn. She said she had borrowed money to keep the operation running and that everything would be repaid.*
I believed some of what she said. I did not believe all of it.
Marcus's jaw tightened.
The letter continued.
She told me that if theI believed some of what she said. I did not believe all of it.*
Marcus's jaw tightened.
The letter continued.
She told me that if the matter became public, several families could lose money they could not afford to lose. She said she had records that would prove I matter became public, several families could lose money they could not afford to lose. She said she had records that would prove I had known about the arrangement and had helped her financially.
I had given her money. I had signed an had known about the arrangement and had helped her financially.
I had given her money. I had signed an agreement. I had tried to keep a desperate situation from becoming worse.
I worried that she agreement. I had tried to keep a desperate situation from becoming worse.
I worried that she would twist those facts into something they were not.
Marcus sat back.
For the first time, he understood why Elena had been reluctant would twist those facts into something they were not.*
Marcus sat back.
For the first time, he understood why Elena had been reluctant to involve him.
She had been dying. She had been trying to protect her daughter, preserve her to involve him.
She had been dying. She had been trying to protect her daughter, preserve her family's finances, and keep an uncertain accusation from becoming a public scandal.
Sondra had understood that fear.
And she had used it family's finances, and keep an uncertain accusation from becoming a public scandal.
Sondra had understood that fear.
And she had used it.
The second page was shorter.
*Marcus, I cannot tell you what kind of person Sondra will become. I can only tell you what she.
The second page was shorter.
Marcus, I cannot tell you what kind of person Sondra will become. I can only tell you what she has already shown me.
She believes that if she can make someone afraid enough has already shown me.
She believes that if she can make someone afraid enough, she can make them cooperate.
If she ever comes into your life, please don't judge her only by the way, she can make them cooperate.
If she ever comes into your life, please don't judge her only by the way she treats you. Watch how she treats Maya when she thinks you aren't looking.
And please remember this: money can be she treats you. Watch how she treats Maya when she thinks you aren't looking.
And please remember this: money can be replaced. A child's trust is much harder to repair.
Marcus lowered the letter.
The room seemed impossibly quiet.
He thought replaced. A child's trust is much harder to repair.*
Marcus lowered the letter.
The room seemed impossibly quiet.
He thought about Sondra's polished smile at the anniversary dinner. The way she'd greeted every guest by name. The way she'd turned toward about Sondra's polished smile at the anniversary dinner.
The way she'd greeted every guest by name. The way she'd turned toward the staircase and told a nine-year-old girl that she ruined the picture whenever she entered a room.
He had the staircase and told a nine-year-old girl that she ruined the picture whenever she entered a room.
He had once believed those two versions of his wife could not possibly belong to the same once believed those two versions of his wife could not possibly belong to the same person.
Now he understood that the smile had never been proof of kindness.
It had simply been the part of her everyone was person.
Now he understood that the smile had never been proof of kindness.
It had simply been the part of her everyone was allowed to see.
At eleven, Patricia arrived at the house with a second folder.
allowed to see.
At eleven, Patricia arrived at the house with a second folder.
Marcus met her in the study.
"Have you found the charity?"" he asked.
"We've identified anMarcus met her in the study.
"Have you found the charity?"" he asked.
"We've identified an organization with a similar name to the one mentioned in Elena's records. We're verifying whether it was the same entity organization with a similar name to the one mentioned in Elena's records. We're verifying whether it was the same entity and whether Sondra had an official role.""
"Was she investigated?""
"There's evidence of complaints from several people, but we don't yet and whether Sondra had an official role.""
"Was she investigated?""
"There's evidence of complaints from several people, but we don't yet have enough information to draw conclusions about her involvement.""
Marcus stood beside the desk.
"If she was connected have enough information to draw conclusions about her involvement.""
Marcus stood beside the desk.
"If she was connected to something like this, why did she marry me?""
Patricia considered him carefully.
"I can't tell you what motivated her to marry to something like this, why did she marry me?""
Patricia considered him carefully.
"I can't tell you what motivated her to marry you. We can establish what she did. Her intentions are a separate question.""
"She knew about Elena's estate before she met me.""
"Yes.""
"She knew you. We can establish what she did. Her intentions are a separate question.""
"She knew about Elena's estate before she met me.""
"Yes.""
"She knew about Maya's trust.""
"Yes.""
"And she tried to access it.""
"Yes.""
Marcus looked down at the documents.
"How about Maya's trust.""
"Yes.""
"And she tried to access it.""
"Yes.""
Marcus looked down at the documents.
"How much more do we need?""
"Enough to protect Maya without creating claims we cannot substantiate.""
He nodded reluctantly much more do we need?""
"Enough to protect Maya without creating claims we cannot substantiate.""
He nodded reluctantly.
Then Patricia opened the folder.
"There's another development. The trustee has located correspondence suggesting that Sondra recently.
Then Patricia opened the folder.
"There's another development. The trustee has located correspondence suggesting that Sondra recently contacted a financial adviser about the possibility of restructuring the family estate.""
Marcus stared at her.
"Recently?""
"Six weeks before contacted a financial adviser about the possibility of restructuring the family estate.""
Marcus stared at her.
"Recently?""
"Six weeks before the anniversary party.""
"Before she tried to transfer the money.""
"Correct.""
Patricia placed a printed email the anniversary party.""
"Before she tried to transfer the money.""
"Correct.""
Patricia placed a printed email on the desk.
The message was brief. Sondra had asked whether a minor beneficiary's protected on the desk.
The message was brief. Sondra had asked whether a minor beneficiary's protected assets could be reorganized if her father agreed that the changes would benefit the household.
The adviser had explained that assets could be reorganized if her father agreed that the changes would benefit the household.
The adviser had explained that any changes would require the proper legal process and could not simply be made at a spouse's request.
S any changes would require the proper legal process and could not simply be made at a spouse's request.
Sondra had replied with one sentence.
*Then I need Marcus to see that Maya's arrangements are preventing usondra had replied with one sentence.
Then I need Marcus to see that Maya's arrangements are preventing us from building the life we deserve.
Marcus felt his stomach turn.
"She was planning to convince me to sign something from building the life we deserve.*
Marcus felt his stomach turn.
"She was planning to convince me to sign something.""
"That appears to be the implication, but we don't know exactly what she intended to present.""
"That appears to be the implication, but we don't know exactly what she intended to present.""
He read the message again.
For months, Sondra had complained that he was too protective of Maya,.""
He read the message again.
For months, Sondra had complained that he was too protective of Maya, that he was sentimental about Elena, that their family needed to move forward.
He had thought she that he was sentimental about Elena, that their family needed to move forward.
He had thought she was asking for emotional reassurance.
Perhaps she had also been preparing him to surrender control of the assets that protected his was asking for emotional reassurance.
Perhaps she had also been preparing him to surrender control of the assets that protected his daughter.
Patricia closed the folder.
"I recommend that you don't meet with Sondra alone while these matters are unresolved. daughter.
Patricia closed the folder.
"I recommend that you don't meet with Sondra alone while these matters are unresolved. Keep your communications factual, and let us handle the financial questions.""
Marcus nodded.
"I have no intention of discussing Keep your communications factual, and let us handle the financial questions.""
Marcus nodded.
"I have no intention of discussing Maya's trust with her.""
"Good.""
Patricia stood to leave, then paused.
"One more thing. Sondra has contacted my office Maya's trust with her.""
"Good.""
Patricia stood to leave, then paused.
"One more thing. Sondra has contacted my office twice this morning.""
"What did she want?""
"She asked whether you had received Elena's letter.""
Marcus went still.
"How would twice this morning.""
"What did she want?""
"She asked whether you had received Elena's letter.""
Marcus went still.
"How would she know about the letter?""
"She didn't say. But she was very specific about wanting to know whether the original she know about the letter?""
"She didn't say. But she was very specific about wanting to know whether the original documents had been released.""
He looked at the sealed envelope on his desk.
"Did you tell her?""
"No. I'm documents had been released.""
He looked at the sealed envelope on his desk.
"Did you tell her?""
"No. I'm not authorized to disclose your private correspondence.""
Marcus stared toward the hallway.
"She knows we're getting not authorized to disclose your private correspondence.""
Marcus stared toward the hallway.
"She knows we're getting close.""
"Possibly.""
Patricia picked up her coat.
"Which means we should assume she may try to contact close.""
"Possibly.""
Patricia picked up her coat.
"Which means we should assume she may try to contact you directly.""
She did.
At 2:17 that afternoon, Marcus was in the you directly.""
She did.
At 2:17 that afternoon, Marcus was in the kitchen when his phone lit up with Sondra's name.
He watched it ring twice before answering.
"What do kitchen when his phone lit up with Sondra's name.
He watched it ring twice before answering.
"What do you want, Sondra?""
Her voice sounded exhausted.
"To talk to my husband.""
"You can speak you want, Sondra?""
Her voice sounded exhausted.
"To talk to my husband.""
"You can speak to me through Patricia about the legal matters.""
"I don't want to talk about lawyers.""
"Then what do to me through Patricia about the legal matters.""
"I don't want to talk about lawyers.""
"Then what do you want?""
A long pause followed.
Finally, she said, "I want to see Maya you want?""
A long pause followed.
Finally, she said, "I want to see Maya.""
Marcus closed his eyes.
"No.""
"You can't keep my family away from me.""
"You made her feel unwelcome in her own home.""
Marcus closed his eyes.
"No.""
"You can't keep my family away from me.""
"You made her feel unwelcome in her own home.""
"I was angry. I said things I shouldn't have said.""
"You told a nine-year-old child.""
"I was angry. I said things I shouldn't have said.""
"You told a nine-year-old child that she ruined the picture whenever she entered a room.""
"I apologized.""
"No, you didn't.""
Sondra's voice sharpened that she ruined the picture whenever she entered a room.""
"I apologized.""
"No, you didn't.""
Sondra's voice sharpened.
"Because you never gave me the chance!""
Marcus gripped the edge of the counter.
"You had eighteen months to make her feel safe. You chose not.
"Because you never gave me the chance!""
Marcus gripped the edge of the counter.
"You had eighteen months to make her feel safe. You chose not to.""
"You're acting as if I've never done anything for that child. I bought her clothes. I helped with to.""
"You're acting as if I've never done anything for that child. I bought her clothes. I helped with school projects. I took her shopping.""
"And then you told her she didn't belong.""
"I was trying to create school projects. I took her shopping.""
"And then you told her she didn't belong.""
"I was trying to create a certain atmosphere for our anniversary!""
"She was part of the anniversary.""
" a certain atmosphere for our anniversary!""
"She was part of the anniversary.""
"She was part of every single thing, Marcus! Every conversation. EveryShe was part of every single thing, Marcus! Every conversation.
Every decision. Every memory. I couldn't even put a photograph on the mantel without you asking whether it was okay to decision.
Every memory. I couldn't even put a photograph on the mantel without you asking whether it was okay to move Elena's picture!""
Marcus stared at the wall.
There it was again.
Her resentment.
Her belief that move Elena's picture!""
Marcus stared at the wall.
There it was again.
Her resentment.
Her belief that love was a limited resource, something she had to win by pushing another person love was a limited resource, something she had to win by pushing another person aside.
"Elena's photographs were never stopping you from being part of this family," he said.
"Your treatment aside.
"Elena's photographs were never stopping you from being part of this family," he said.
"Your treatment of Maya is what did that.""
Sondra breathed shakily.
"Do you really think Elena was of Maya is what did that.""
Sondra breathed shakily.
"Do you really think Elena was perfect? Do you think she never made mistakes?""
"I never said she was perfect.""
"Then stop treating everything perfect? Do you think she never made mistakes?""
"I never said she was perfect.""
"Then stop treating everything she left behind as sacred!""
Marcus glanced toward the study.
"Her trust protects Maya. Her letters she left behind as sacred!""
Marcus glanced toward the study.
"Her trust protects Maya. Her letters explain what happened. Her photographs remind our daughter that she was loved before you arrived.
None of that explain what happened. Her photographs remind our daughter that she was loved before you arrived. None of that is an attack on you.""
Sondra was silent.
Then she asked, "What did she tell you?""
Marcus didn't answer.
"Marcus is an attack on you.""
Sondra was silent.
Then she asked, "What did she tell you?""
Marcus didn't answer.
"Marcus, what did Elena write?""
"That is private.""
"Did she tell you about the money?""
His blood, what did Elena write?""
"That is private.""
"Did she tell you about the money?""
His blood ran cold.
Sondra had just confirmed what she'd been trying to hide.
He kept his voice steady.
"What money?""
She went ran cold.
Sondra had just confirmed what she'd been trying to hide.
He kept his voice steady.
"What money?""
She went silent.
Then she whispered, "You have no idea what she was like when she got sick. She silent.
Then she whispered, "You have no idea what she was like when she got sick. She became suspicious of everyone. She thought every person who asked her for help was trying to take something from became suspicious of everyone. She thought every person who asked her for help was trying to take something from her.""
Marcus's fingers tightened around the phone.
"Did you ask Elena for money?""
Sondra exhaled sharply.
her.""
Marcus's fingers tightened around the phone.
"Did you ask Elena for money?""
Sondra exhaled sharply.
"She offered to help.""
"That isn't what I asked.""
"She knew I was in trouble.""
"Did"She offered to help.""
"That isn't what I asked.""
"She knew I was in trouble.""
"Did you ask her?""
A long pause.
Then, quietly, "Yes.""
"Did you you ask her?""
A long pause.
Then, quietly, "Yes.""
"Did you promise to repay her?""
"Yes.""
"Did you repay her?""
"Some of it.""
"Why did you try to access Maya's trust?""
promise to repay her?""
"Yes.""
"Did you repay her?""
"Some of it.""
"Why did you try to access Maya's trust?""
Sondra's voice hardened.
"Because I thought I could solve everything if you would justSondra's voice hardened.
"Because I thought I could solve everything if you would just listen to me.""
"You don't solve your problems by taking money from a child.""
"I wasn't taking it listen to me.""
"You don't solve your problems by taking money from a child.""
"I wasn't taking it!""
"You tried to transfer it into your personal account.""
"It would have been temporary!""
Marcus stared at the phone.
He could!""
"You tried to transfer it into your personal account.""
"It would have been temporary!""
Marcus stared at the phone.
He could hear her breathing.
For a moment, he wanted to believe there was an explanation that would make everything less ugly.
hear her breathing.
For a moment, he wanted to believe there was an explanation that would make everything less ugly.
Then he remembered Maya's trembling hands on the staircase.
"Don't contact Maya directly,"Then he remembered Maya's trembling hands on the staircase.
"Don't contact Maya directly," he said.
"If you need to discuss anything, speak to Patricia.""
"Marcus, please.""
"No.""
"You can't he said.
"If you need to discuss anything, speak to Patricia.""
"Marcus, please.""
"No.""
"You can't end our marriage over this.""
"I'm not making that decision on this call.""
She seemed to seize on the end our marriage over this.""
"I'm not making that decision on this call.""
She seemed to seize on the words.
"So there's still a chance?""
Marcus looked toward the stairs.
"I haven't decided what happens to our words.
"So there's still a chance?""
Marcus looked toward the stairs.
"I haven't decided what happens to our marriage. But I have decided what happens to Maya. She will never again be expected to make herself smaller to keep you comfortable.""
He marriage. But I have decided what happens to Maya. She will never again be expected to make herself smaller to keep you comfortable.""
He ended the call.
For several seconds, he stood motionless.
Then he heard Maya's voice from the living room.
"Dad?""
He turned.
She ended the call.
For several seconds, he stood motionless.
Then he heard Maya's voice from the living room.
"Dad?""
He turned.
She stood in the doorway holding a glass of water.
"Was that Sondra?""
Marcus nodded.
"Yes.""
"Does she want to come stood in the doorway holding a glass of water.
"Was that Sondra?""
Marcus nodded.
"Yes.""
"Does she want to come back?""
He walked toward her and knelt.
"She wanted to talk.""
"Did you let her?""
" back?""
He walked toward her and knelt.
"She wanted to talk.""
"Did you let her?""
"Yes.""
Maya looked down at the glass.
"Did you tell her I don't want her to come back?""
MarcusYes.""
Maya looked down at the glass.
"Did you tell her I don't want her to come back?""
Marcus shook his head.
"I told her that the adults need to sort things out. You don't have to decide anything shook his head.
"I told her that the adults need to sort things out. You don't have to decide anything today.""
Maya's shoulders relaxed a little.
Then she whispered, "I don't want her to be lonely today.""
Maya's shoulders relaxed a little.
Then she whispered, "I don't want her to be lonely. But I don't want to feel like that again.""
Marcus pulled her gently into. But I don't want to feel like that again.""
Marcus pulled her gently into his arms.
"You can care about someone's feelings without letting them hurt you.""
She rested her head against him.
"Is that his arms.
"You can care about someone's feelings without letting them hurt you.""
She rested her head against him.
"Is that what Mom would say?""
He kissed her hair.
"I think she would.""
That evening what Mom would say?""
He kissed her hair.
"I think she would.""
That evening, Marcus returned to Elena's study and took out the sealed envelope marked For Maya, when she asks.
He didn't, Marcus returned to Elena's study and took out the sealed envelope marked For Maya, when she asks.
He didn't open it.
Instead, he placed it in a small fireproof document box with Elena's letters, the trust papers, and the original photograph open it.
Instead, he placed it in a small fireproof document box with Elena's letters, the trust papers, and the original photograph of Elena and Sondra.
He locked the box and put the key in his desk.
As he closed the drawer of Elena and Sondra.
He locked the box and put the key in his desk.
As he closed the drawer, his, his phone vibrated.
A message from Patricia.
We've confirmed that the original transfer request to Sondra's account was submitted using information from the family estate file. We're now investigating how she obtained the relevant documents.
Marcus read it twice.
Then another message appeared.
*There is phone vibrated.
A message from Patricia.
We've confirmed that the original transfer request to Sondra's account was submitted using information from the family estate file. We're now investigating how she obtained the relevant documents.
Marcus read it twice.
Then another message appeared.
There is also a separate inquiry regarding a property outside the city that Elena inherited from her parents.
He stared at the screen.
The old also a separate inquiry regarding a property outside the city that Elena inherited from her parents.*
He stared at the screen.
The old estate.
The garden Maya wanted to see.
The place Elena had once called her childhood sanctuary estate.
The garden Maya wanted to see.
The place Elena had once called her childhood sanctuary.
Marcus typed a reply.
What kind of inquiry?
Patricia answered almost immediately.
*Someone has.
Marcus typed a reply.
What kind of inquiry?
Patricia answered almost immediately.
Someone has requested a copy of the original title records. The request was submitted under your name.
Marcus's blood requested a copy of the original title records. The request was submitted under your name.*
Marcus's blood ran cold.
He hadn't requested anything.
He called Patricia.
"Who submitted it?""
"We're checking.""
"Could it ran cold.
He hadn't requested anything.
He called Patricia.
"Who submitted it?""
"We're checking.""
"Could it have been Sondra?""
"Possibly, but we don't have confirmation.""
Marcus stood and have been Sondra?""
"Possibly, but we don't have confirmation.""
Marcus stood and looked out into the darkening garden.
The house was quiet. Maya was upstairs, reading the looked out into the darkening garden.
The house was quiet. Maya was upstairs, reading the mystery novel she'd bought at the bookstore.
For the mystery novel she'd bought at the bookstore.
For the first time, he realized that Sondra might not simply be trying to gain access to money.
She might be trying to obtain something that had belonged to Elena long before either of them met.
Something valuable enough that Elena had built an entire legal structure around keeping it protected.
And someone had first time, he realized that Sondra might not simply be trying to gain access to money.
She might be trying to obtain something that had belonged to Elena long before either of them met.
May you like
Something valuable enough that Elena had built an entire legal structure around keeping it protected.
And someone had just tried to use Marcus's name to get it.
