Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Guardianship Papers
David Reynolds called at 7:12 the: The Guardianship Papers
David Reynolds called at 7:12 the next morning.
I was sitting at Tasha's kitchen table, watching next morning.
I was sitting at Tasha's kitchen table, watching sunlight crawl across a stack of documents I'd barely sunlight crawl across a stack of documents I'd barely slept enough to read.
“Marcus, I've located the guardianship papers,” he said.
“I need you to come to my slept enough to read.
“Marcus, I've located the guardianship papers,” he said.
“I need you to come to my office as soon as possible.””
“Do they explain the baby?””
“They explain part of it. I don't want to interpret the rest until we've reviewed the original documents together office as soon as possible.””
“Do they explain the baby?””
“They explain part of it. I don't want to interpret the rest until we've reviewed the original documents together.””
“David, just tell me whether Renee is lying.””
“I can't responsibly tell you that yet.””
I closed my eyes.
“Then tell.””
“David, just tell me whether Renee is lying.””
“I can't responsibly tell you that yet.””
I closed my eyes.
“Then tell me what I need to bring.””
“Everything you received from Renee. The photograph, the messages, and any correspondence connected to Danielle's me what I need to bring.””
“Everything you received from Renee. The photograph, the messages, and any correspondence connected to Danielle's estate. And Marcus, please don't contact the hospital employee again until we've established the proper process for obtaining the records.””
“I understand.””
I ended estate. And Marcus, please don't contact the hospital employee again until we've established the proper process for obtaining the records.””
“I understand.””
I ended the call and looked toward the hallway.
Nia was sitting on the floor outside the guest room, drawing on a sheet of paper. She had begun doing the call and looked toward the hallway.
Nia was sitting on the floor outside the guest room, drawing on a sheet of paper. She had begun doing that whenever she was worried: making small, careful pictures with every object placed exactly where it belonged.
I crouched beside her.
that whenever she was worried: making small, careful pictures with every object placed exactly where it belonged.
I crouched beside her.
“Hey, sweetheart. I'm going to see David this morning.””
“Is it about the baby?””
“Yes.””
“Are you going to find“Hey, sweetheart. I'm going to see David this morning.””
“Is it about the baby?””
“Yes.””
“Are you going to find out who it is?””
“I'm going to try.””
She set her pencil down.
“Will you come back?””
The question stopped me.
I placed out who it is?””
“I'm going to try.””
She set her pencil down.
“Will you come back?””
The question stopped me.
I placed a hand against my chest.
“Always, baby. I'll tell you where I'm going, and I'll tell you when I'm coming a hand against my chest.
“Always, baby. I'll tell you where I'm going, and I'll tell you when I'm coming home. You won't have to wonder.””
She nodded, then handed me the drawing.
It showed a house with a red roof and three windows. A little home. You won't have to wonder.””
She nodded, then handed me the drawing.
It showed a house with a red roof and three windows. A little girl stood beside a tall man at the front door.
Above them, Nia had written:
*HOME IS WHERE SOMEONE BEL girl stood beside a tall man at the front door.
Above them, Nia had written:
HOME IS WHERE SOMEONE BELIEVES YOU.
I folded the paper carefully and placed it in my briefcase.
“I believe you,” I told her.
For theIEVES YOU.*
I folded the paper carefully and placed it in my briefcase.
“I believe you,” I told her.
For the first time that morning, she smiled.
It was small.
But it was real.
David's office smelled of coffee and old books. The blinds first time that morning, she smiled.
It was small.
But it was real.
David's office smelled of coffee and old books. The blinds were half open, allowing strips of morning light to fall across his desk.
He had arranged three folders in front of him.
One contained Danielle's original trust documents.
Another contained the guardianship papers.
The third was marked with Renee's name.
I were half open, allowing strips of morning light to fall across his desk.
He had arranged three folders in front of him.
One contained Danielle's original trust documents.
Another contained the guardianship papers.
The third was marked with Renee's name.
I sat down.
“Start with the baby.””
David opened the second folder.
“On June 14, 2018, Renee Whitmore signed a temporary guardianship agreement concerning a newborn boy. sat down.
“Start with the baby.””
David opened the second folder.
“On June 14, 2018, Renee Whitmore signed a temporary guardianship agreement concerning a newborn boy. The biological mother was Renee. The child's father was not listed on the copy we have.””
I stared at him.
“Renee had a baby?””
“Yes.””
I tried The biological mother was Renee. The child's father was not listed on the copy we have.””
I stared at him.
“Renee had a baby?””
“Yes.””
I tried to reconcile that information with the woman I'd married.
Renee had never mentioned a pregnancy. We'd met in 2019, more than a year after the date on the paperwork to reconcile that information with the woman I'd married.
Renee had never mentioned a pregnancy. We'd met in 2019, more than a year after the date on the paperwork.
I had assumed she'd told me everything important about her past.
Apparently, I had never asked the right questions.
“Why was Danielle.
I had assumed she'd told me everything important about her past.
Apparently, I had never asked the right questions.
“Why was Danielle involved?””
David slid a document across the desk.
“Danielle was named as an emergency contact and temporary caregiver. The agreement authorized involved?””
David slid a document across the desk.
“Danielle was named as an emergency contact and temporary caregiver. The agreement authorized her to care for the infant if Renee became unable to do so. It did not transfer permanent custody.””
I read the names.
Danielle Carter.
Renee Whitmore.
An her to care for the infant if Renee became unable to do so. It did not transfer permanent custody.””
I read the names.
Danielle Carter.
Renee Whitmore.
An unnamed newborn.
“What happened to the baby?””
“The papers indicate that the child was placed with a licensed adoption agency several weeks later. We don't have the complete adoption file, and unnamed newborn.
“What happened to the baby?””
“The papers indicate that the child was placed with a licensed adoption agency several weeks later. We don't have the complete adoption file, and we cannot assume what happened after that.””
“Did Danielle agree to the adoption?””
“Not according to this document. She was authorized we cannot assume what happened after that.””
“Did Danielle agree to the adoption?””
“Not according to this document. She was authorized to provide temporary care, not to make permanent decisions about the child's future.””
I looked up.
“Then why did Renee tell me Danielle helped her give the baby away?””
“Because she may be to provide temporary care, not to make permanent decisions about the child's future.””
I looked up.
“Then why did Renee tell me Danielle helped her give the baby away?””
“Because she may be describing events we haven't documented. Or she may be attempting to shift responsibility. We need independent records.””
I ran a hand over my face.
“What describing events we haven't documented. Or she may be attempting to shift responsibility. We need independent records.””
I ran a hand over my face.
“What does this have to do with Nia's inheritance?””
David opened the third folder.
“That's the question we need to answer.””
Inside was a copy of an email does this have to do with Nia's inheritance?””
David opened the third folder.
“That's the question we need to answer.””
Inside was a copy of an email Renee had sent to David's office four months earlier.
She had asked whether a guardian who had cared for a child could later claim reimbursement from Renee had sent to David's office four months earlier.
She had asked whether a guardian who had cared for a child could later claim reimbursement from that child's estate for expenses incurred during the guardianship.
David's reply was brief.
The trust could not be used for expenses unrelated that child's estate for expenses incurred during the guardianship.
David's reply was brief.
The trust could not be used for expenses unrelated to Nia's welfare, and Renee had no authority to make claims against it.
A week later, Renee had sent another message.
*Would the to Nia's welfare, and Renee had no authority to make claims against it.
A week later, Renee had sent another message.
Would the same restrictions apply if the guardian had made a financial sacrifice to protect the child's family?
David had answered that the circumstances same restrictions apply if the guardian had made a financial sacrifice to protect the child's family?*
David had answered that the circumstances would require legal review, but no claim could be made without a valid legal basis.
I stared at the email.
“Was she trying to claim money would require legal review, but no claim could be made without a valid legal basis.
I stared at the email.
“Was she trying to claim money for raising the baby?””
“Possibly. But she was asking about Nia's trust, not her son's adoption expenses for raising the baby?””
“Possibly. But she was asking about Nia's trust, not her son's adoption expenses.””
I leaned back.
“So what was she after?””
David folded his hands.
“I believe she was attempting to create a document that would give her leverage over Nia's.””
I leaned back.
“So what was she after?””
David folded his hands.
“I believe she was attempting to create a document that would give her leverage over Nia's inheritance. Whether that was for financial gain, to settle a perceived debt, or for another reason remains unclear.””
He opened the first folder inheritance. Whether that was for financial gain, to settle a perceived debt, or for another reason remains unclear.””
He opened the first folder and removed Danielle's handwritten instructions.
“There's something else. Danielle specifically requested that the trust remain separate from any future household arrangements and removed Danielle's handwritten instructions.
“There's something else. Danielle specifically requested that the trust remain separate from any future household arrangements. She also asked that any person who claimed to have cared for Nia's family be prevented from using that claim to influence the trust.””
I read the paragraph.
Then I read it again.
Danielle had anticipated exactly the. She also asked that any person who claimed to have cared for Nia's family be prevented from using that claim to influence the trust.””
I read the paragraph.
Then I read it again.
Danielle had anticipated exactly the kind of argument Renee now appeared to be making.
“Did Danielle know Renee's son had been placed for adoption?””
“The papers suggest she knew about the temporary kind of argument Renee now appeared to be making.
“Did Danielle know Renee's son had been placed for adoption?””
“The papers suggest she knew about the temporary guardianship. They don't establish what she knew about the later adoption.””
“Could Renee have blamed Danielle for losing her baby?””
“It's possible. But guardianship. They don't establish what she knew about the later adoption.””
“Could Renee have blamed Danielle for losing her baby?””
“It's possible. But we cannot treat that as fact.””
I thought of Renee's messages.
Danielle helped me give him away.
Danielle begged me never to tell you.
The we cannot treat that as fact.””
I thought of Renee's messages.
Danielle helped me give him away.
Danielle begged me never to tell you.
The words could be an accusation, a confession, or a calculated attempt to make me doubt everything I knew.
I wasn't going to decide which words could be an accusation, a confession, or a calculated attempt to make me doubt everything I knew.
I wasn't going to decide which without evidence.
“David, I want the full adoption record obtained through the proper channels.””
“I'll consult the appropriate without evidence.
“David, I want the full adoption record obtained through the proper channels.””
“I'll consult the appropriate legal professionals. Adoption records can be confidential, and access may require authorization or a court order.””
“And I want every document connected to Renee's attempts to access N legal professionals. Adoption records can be confidential, and access may require authorization or a court order.””
“And I want every document connected to Renee's attempts to access Nia's trust preserved.””
“Already underway.””
He paused.
“Marcus, I need to ask you something. Did Renee ever tell you why heria's trust preserved.””
“Already underway.””
He paused.
“Marcus, I need to ask you something. Did Renee ever tell you why her son lived with her full-time while she had no contact with his biological father?””
“She said he abandoned them son lived with her full-time while she had no contact with his biological father?””
“She said he abandoned them.””
“Did she ever mention the adoption?””
“No.””
David nodded slowly.
“Then you need to be prepared for a difficult conversation. But I would not recommend having it without.””
“Did she ever mention the adoption?””
“No.””
David nodded slowly.
“Then you need to be prepared for a difficult conversation. But I would not recommend having it without safeguards, especially given the allegations involving Nia.””
I gathered the papers.
“I'm not going to meet with her alone.””
“Good.””
As safeguards, especially given the allegations involving Nia.””
I gathered the papers.
“I'm not going to meet with her alone.””
“Good.””
As I stood, David handed me a final page.
It was a copy of Danielle's appointment notes from June 14, 2018.
One line had I stood, David handed me a final page.
It was a copy of Danielle's appointment notes from June 14, 2018.
One line had been underlined.
Client expresses concern that Ms. Whitmore may attempt to use past caregiving arrangements to create financial obligations.
I looked at him.
been underlined.
Client expresses concern that Ms. Whitmore may attempt to use past caregiving arrangements to create financial obligations.
I looked at him.
“Danielle said that?””
“Those are the notes from my office. I can confirm that she raised the concern, but I don't have enough information“Danielle said that?””
“Those are the notes from my office. I can confirm that she raised the concern, but I don't have enough information to explain why.””
I put the page into my briefcase.
For the first time, I understood that the inheritance might not have been the beginning of this conflict.
It might have been the last piece of a much older one.
That afternoon, Renee's attorney to explain why.””
I put the page into my briefcase.
For the first time, I understood that the inheritance might not have been the beginning of this conflict.
It might have been the last piece of a much older one.
That afternoon, Renee's attorney contacted David.
She was willing to participate in a supervised meeting to discuss the guardianship documents and the allegations involving Nia.
David contacted David.
She was willing to participate in a supervised meeting to discuss the guardianship documents and the allegations involving Nia.
David advised me not to agree to anything until the appropriate arrangements were made.
But he also explained that hearing Renee's account, under controlled conditions, could help establish what happened.
I agreed to a meeting the following day.
Before I advised me not to agree to anything until the appropriate arrangements were made.
But he also explained that hearing Renee's account, under controlled conditions, could help establish what happened.
I agreed to a meeting the following day.
Before I left his office, I called Tasha.
“How's Nia?””
“She's doing better,” Tasha said.
“She ate lunch and asked if she could go to the park left his office, I called Tasha.
“How's Nia?””
“She's doing better,” Tasha said.
“She ate lunch and asked if she could go to the park this weekend.””
“That's good.””
“Marcus, there's something else. Renee called me.””
My stomach tightened.
“What did she want?””
“She asked whether N this weekend.””
“That's good.””
“Marcus, there's something else. Renee called me.””
My stomach tightened.
“What did she want?””
“She asked whether Nia had told us about the baby.””
“What did you say?””
“That I wasn't discussing your daughter's private conversations with her.””
“Good.””
Tasha hesitated.
“Then sheia had told us about the baby.””
“What did you say?””
“That I wasn't discussing your daughter's private conversations with her.””
“Good.””
Tasha hesitated.
“Then she said something strange. She told me that if Danielle had kept her promise, none of this would have happened.””
I stared at the wall.
“What promise?””
“I asked her. said something strange. She told me that if Danielle had kept her promise, none of this would have happened.””
I stared at the wall.
“What promise?””
“I asked her. She hung up.””
I thanked Tasha and ended the call.
Another promise.
Another secret.
Another adult using the past to justify something happening in the present.
When I returned to She hung up.””
I thanked Tasha and ended the call.
Another promise.
Another secret.
Another adult using the past to justify something happening in the present.
When I returned to Tasha's house, Nia was sitting at the dining table with a bowl of strawberries.
She looked up.
“Did you find out who the baby was?””
“I found out the baby was Renee's son.””
Nia's eyes widened.
“R Tasha's house, Nia was sitting at the dining table with a bowl of strawberries.
She looked up.
“Did you find out who the baby was?””
“I found out the baby was Renee's son.””
Nia's eyes widened.
“Renee had a baby?””
“Yes.””
“Then why did she say Mommy was the bad person?””
I sat beside her.
“I don't know yet. But we'reenee had a baby?””
“Yes.””
“Then why did she say Mommy was the bad person?””
I sat beside her.
“I don't know yet. But we're finding out.””
She thought about that.
“Does Renee's son know?””
“I don't know, sweetheart.””
Nia picked finding out.””
She thought about that.
“Does Renee's son know?””
“I don't know, sweetheart.””
Nia picked up a strawberry and examined it.
“Maybe he misses his mommy.””
The simplicity of the observation hurt.
Even after everything Renee had up a strawberry and examined it.
“Maybe he misses his mommy.””
The simplicity of the observation hurt.
Even after everything Renee had done, Nia could still imagine how a child might feel.
“Maybe,” I said.
“And if he does, that isn't done, Nia could still imagine how a child might feel.
“Maybe,” I said.
“And if he does, that isn't his fault.””
Nia nodded.
Then she looked at me.
“Daddy, if Renee was sad about her baby, why did she take his fault.””
Nia nodded.
Then she looked at me.
“Daddy, if Renee was sad about her baby, why did she take it out on me?””
I took her hand.
“Being hurt doesn't give anyone permission to hurt someone else.””
She seemed to consider this it out on me?””
I took her hand.
“Being hurt doesn't give anyone permission to hurt someone else.””
She seemed to consider this carefully.
Then she leaned against my shoulder.
I held her until she was ready to return to her strawberries.
That evening, after she carefully.
Then she leaned against my shoulder.
I held her until she was ready to return to her strawberries.
That evening, after she went to bed, I opened the guardianship papers again.
I read every line.
The agreement confirmed that Danielle had been authorized to care for Renee went to bed, I opened the guardianship papers again.
I read every line.
The agreement confirmed that Danielle had been authorized to care for Renee's newborn son temporarily. It did not establish that Danielle had arranged an adoption, signed away custody, or concealed the child from anyone.
But a separate page contained a's newborn son temporarily. It did not establish that Danielle had arranged an adoption, signed away custody, or concealed the child from anyone.
But a separate page contained a note in Renee's handwriting.
If the placement proceeds, Danielle will explain the arrangement to Marcus when the time is right.
I stared at the note in Renee's handwriting.
If the placement proceeds, Danielle will explain the arrangement to Marcus when the time is right.
I stared at the sentence.
Danielle had intended to tell me something.
But she'd never had the chance.
I turned the page.
At the bottom, someone had written a second note.
It wasn't in Renee's sentence.
Danielle had intended to tell me something.
But she'd never had the chance.
I turned the page.
At the bottom, someone had written a second note.
It wasn't in Renee's handwriting.
It wasn't Danielle's, either.
*The father has been located. Do not disclose his identity until the handwriting.
It wasn't Danielle's, either.
The father has been located. Do not disclose his identity until the adoption process is complete.
I read it twice.
Then I called David.
He answered, sounding tired.
“Marcus?””
adoption process is complete.*
I read it twice.
Then I called David.
He answered, sounding tired.
“Marcus?””
“There's a note in the guardianship file. It says the baby's father was located.””
“Yes. I saw that.””
“Do“There's a note in the guardianship file. It says the baby's father was located.””
“Yes. I saw that.””
“Do we know who he is?””
“Not from the documents we have.””
I looked at the final line.
“David, someone deliberately we know who he is?””
“Not from the documents we have.””
I looked at the final line.
“David, someone deliberately withheld his identity.””
“That's what the note suggests.””
I swallowed.
“What if the father is connected to my family?””
“Then we'll establish withheld his identity.””
“That's what the note suggests.””
I swallowed.
“What if the father is connected to my family?””
“Then we'll establish that through the records. Don't jump ahead.””
I agreed, but after we hung up, I couldn't stop thinking about the date that through the records. Don't jump ahead.””
I agreed, but after we hung up, I couldn't stop thinking about the date.
June 14, 2018.
The day Renee signed away temporary care of her newborn.
The day Danielle signed the trust documents.
The day someone.
June 14, 2018.
The day Renee signed away temporary care of her newborn.
The day Danielle signed the trust documents.
The day someone decided the baby's father's identity should remain secret.
Three events, linked by a single date.
And now, years later, Renee had returned to my life decided the baby's father's identity should remain secret.
Three events, linked by a single date.
And now, years later, Renee had returned to my life, married me, and begun pressuring my daughter to surrender her inheritance.
I was beginning to understand why Danielle, married me, and begun pressuring my daughter to surrender her inheritance.
I was beginning to understand why Danielle had written her warning.
But I still didn't know what Renee believed Danielle had done to her.
And until I knew that, I couldn't know whether the had written her warning.
But I still didn't know what Renee believed Danielle had done to her.
And until I knew that, I couldn't know whether the next secret would explain everything—or destroy what remained of my family's past.
My phone buzzed.
A message from an next secret would explain everything—or destroy what remained of my family's past.
My phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
If you want to know why Renee chose you, ask her who the baby's father was.
Then another unknown number.
If you want to know why Renee chose you, ask her who the baby's father was.
Then another message appeared.
He's been living closer than you think.
I stared at the screen.
The sender's name was hidden.
But message appeared.
He's been living closer than you think.
I stared at the screen.
The sender's name was hidden.
But the final message contained a photograph.
A man standing beside Renee outside the same brick building.
I recognized him immediately.
He was the financial adviser who had managed Danielle's estate.
the final message contained a photograph.
A man standing beside Renee outside the same brick building.
I recognized him immediately.
He was the financial adviser who had managed Danielle's estate.
May you like
And beneath the photograph, someone had written three words.
*He knows everything.*
