Chapter 8: The Woman Who Planned Everything
Vanessa had created a trust in my family's name.
The thought made me feel physically sick.
I looked at Rochelle.
“Can she actually do that?””
“Anyone can attempt to register an entity using information they have access to.I looked at Rochelle.
“Can she actually do that?””
“Anyone can attempt to register an entity using information they have access to. Whether the filing is valid, whether the trust exists as claimed, and whether it has any Whether the filing is valid, whether the trust exists as claimed, and whether it has any legitimate authority over your assets are separate questions.””
“Can she transfer my properties?””
“Not lawfully without the necessary authority. But someone has legitimate authority over your assets are separate questions.””
“Can she transfer my properties?””
“Not lawfully without the necessary authority. But someone has clearly attempted to make that happen.””
My father lowered his head.
My mother sat beside him without touching him.
I looked at clearly attempted to make that happen.””
My father lowered his head.
My mother sat beside him without touching him.
I looked at the document again.
The phrase irrevocable trust appeared several times.
Then I noticed the document again.
The phrase irrevocable trust appeared several times.
Then I noticed a section listing the supposed beneficiaries.
My name.
My father's name.
And Vanessa's name.
She had placed herself inside a financial arrangement involving my a section listing the supposed beneficiaries.
My name.
My father's name.
And Vanessa's name.
She had placed herself inside a financial arrangement involving my family without anyone's knowledge.
“Why would she do this?”” I asked.
Rochelle closed the laptop.
“That's family without anyone's knowledge.
“Why would she do this?”” I asked.
Rochelle closed the laptop.
“That's what we need to establish.””
My phone vibrated.
Nathan.
I answered.
“Where are you now?””
“Still what we need to establish.””
My phone vibrated.
Nathan.
I answered.
“Where are you now?””
“Still at the hotel. Marcus left.””
“Did he say anything else?””
Nathan hesitated.
“He told me at the hotel. Marcus left.””
“Did he say anything else?””
Nathan hesitated.
“He told me Vanessa wasn't acting alone.””
I looked at Rochelle.
“Who else?””
“He wouldn't say. He just told me to look at the last page of the Vanessa wasn't acting alone.””
I looked at Rochelle.
“Who else?””
“He wouldn't say. He just told me to look at the last page of the documents he gave me.””
“Read it.””
Nathan shuffled documents he gave me.””
“Read it.””
Nathan shuffled through the papers.
“There's a list of names.””
“Read them.””
“Vanessa Reed. Darius Cole. Gregory Mills. Linda Shaw…”
He paused.
Then his voice dropped.
“And Daniel Brooks.””
I stopped breathing through the papers.
“There's a list of names.””
“Read them.””
“Vanessa Reed. Darius Cole. Gregory Mills. Linda Shaw…”
He paused.
Then his voice dropped.
“And Daniel Brooks.””
I stopped breathing.
Daniel.
My company's current chief financial officer.
The man who had called me earlier.
The man who had reported the suspicious transactions.
Daniel.
My company's current chief financial officer.
The man who had called me earlier.
The man who had reported the suspicious transactions.
The man who had apparently helped identify the forged documents.
“Are you sure?”” I.
The man who had apparently helped identify the forged documents.
“Are you sure?”” I asked.
“His name is here, Ethan.””
“Send me a photograph.””
A moment later, the image arrived.
There were five names asked.
“His name is here, Ethan.””
“Send me a photograph.””
A moment later, the image arrived.
There were five names.
Each had a role listed beside it.
Vanessa: Beneficiary coordination.
Darius: Transaction management.
Gregory: Financial records.
Each had a role listed beside it.
Vanessa: Beneficiary coordination.
Darius: Transaction management.
Gregory: Financial records.
Linda: Investment sourcing.
Daniel: Internal authorization.
I stared at the page.
Rochelle took my phone.
“Ethan, we need.
Linda: Investment sourcing.
Daniel: Internal authorization.
I stared at the page.
Rochelle took my phone.
“Ethan, we need to verify this before drawing conclusions.””
I nodded.
But I couldn't ignore the possibility.
Daniel might have to verify this before drawing conclusions.””
I nodded.
But I couldn't ignore the possibility.
Daniel might have been feeding me information to control what I discovered.
I called him.
He answered immediately.
“Ethan?””
“Daniel, where are you?””
“At the office.””
“Are been feeding me information to control what I discovered.
I called him.
He answered immediately.
“Ethan?””
“Daniel, where are you?””
“At the office.””
“Are you alone?””
A pause.
“Why?””
“I need you to come to my parents' house.””
“Is something you alone?””
A pause.
“Why?””
“I need you to come to my parents' house.””
“Is something wrong?””
“Yes. Something involving the property transfer.””
Another pause.
“I can come over.””
“Bring your records.””
wrong?””
“Yes. Something involving the property transfer.””
Another pause.
“I can come over.””
“Bring your records.””
“Of course.””
I ended the call.
Rochelle looked at me.
“Don't confront him aggressively. Let him“Of course.””
I ended the call.
Rochelle looked at me.
“Don't confront him aggressively. Let him explain.””
My mother finally spoke.
“Ethan, perhaps we should contact the police now explain.””
My mother finally spoke.
“Ethan, perhaps we should contact the police now.””
“We will.””
“Then why are we waiting?””
“Because I want.””
“We will.””
“Then why are we waiting?””
“Because I want to know who else is involved.””
My father looked up.
“Son, I think I know something about Linda.””
I turned.
“What?””
“She didn't disappear after the transportation company collapsed. She contacted me last month.””
“Why?””
“She said she had information about Darius.””
“What information?””
My father swallowed.
“She told me Vanessa was planning to marry you for to know who else is involved.””
My father looked up.
“Son, I think I know something about Linda.””
I turned.
“What?””
“She didn't disappear after the transportation company collapsed. She contacted me last month.””
“Why?””
“She said she had information about Darius.””
“What information?””
My father swallowed.
“She told me Vanessa was planning to marry you for your company.””
My jaw tightened.
“And you didn't tell me?””
He shook his head.
“I didn't believe her at first. Then she showed me a photograph of Vanessa your company.””
My jaw tightened.
“And you didn't tell me?””
He shook his head.
“I didn't believe her at first. Then she showed me a photograph of Vanessa and Darius together.””
I stared at him.
“Dad, you knew?””
“I suspected.””
“And you and Darius together.””
I stared at him.
“Dad, you knew?””
“I suspected.””
“And you said nothing?””
“I was afraid.””
“Afraid of what?””
He looked toward the window.
“Linda told me Darius had connections with people who could make problems disappear. said nothing?””
“I was afraid.””
“Afraid of what?””
He looked toward the window.
“Linda told me Darius had connections with people who could make problems disappear. She said if I spoke, everyone would know about the money I took from the company.””
My mother stood.
She said if I spoke, everyone would know about the money I took from the company.””
My mother stood.
“So you stayed silent?””
“I thought I could fix it.””
She shook her head.
“You keep saying that. Every“So you stayed silent?””
“I thought I could fix it.””
She shook her head.
“You keep saying that. Every time you make another mistake, you say you were trying to fix the last one.””
My father lowered his eyes.
I couldn't defend him time you make another mistake, you say you were trying to fix the last one.””
My father lowered his eyes.
I couldn't defend him.
Not anymore.
An hour later, Daniel arrived.
He entered carrying a leather briefcase.
“Ethan, what's going.
Not anymore.
An hour later, Daniel arrived.
He entered carrying a leather briefcase.
“Ethan, what's going on?””
I pointed to a chair.
“Sit down.””
He noticed Rochelle.
Then he looked at the documents on the table.
His expression changed.
“What are these?””
I slid Nathan on?””
I pointed to a chair.
“Sit down.””
He noticed Rochelle.
Then he looked at the documents on the table.
His expression changed.
“What are these?””
I slid Nathan's photograph toward him.
“Explain your name.””
Daniel picked up the page.
He studied it.
Then he laughed nervously.
“This's photograph toward him.
“Explain your name.””
Daniel picked up the page.
He studied it.
Then he laughed nervously.
“This is ridiculous.””
“Is it?””
“Someone put my name there.””
“Why?””
“I have no is ridiculous.””
“Is it?””
“Someone put my name there.””
“Why?””
“I have no idea.””
I leaned forward.
“Were you involved in the property transfer?””
“Absolutely not.””
“Did you authorize any payments to idea.””
I leaned forward.
“Were you involved in the property transfer?””
“Absolutely not.””
“Did you authorize any payments to Reed Advisory Group?””
“No.””
“Did you know Gregory was stealing money?””
Daniel looked offended.
“Ethan, I've been protecting this company for years.””
I Reed Advisory Group?””
“No.””
“Did you know Gregory was stealing money?””
Daniel looked offended.
“Ethan, I've been protecting this company for years.””
I stared at him.
“Then explain why your name appears beside the words INTERNAL AUTHORIZATION.””
He pushed the paper away.
“It's fabricated.””
Roc stared at him.
“Then explain why your name appears beside the words INTERNAL AUTHORIZATION.””
He pushed the paper away.
“It's fabricated.””
Rochelle opened her laptop.
“Then you won't mind answering some questions about the login recordshelle opened her laptop.
“Then you won't mind answering some questions about the login records.””
Daniel stiffened.
“What login records?””
“The administrator account used to access the archived finance folder.””
He looked at me.
“I told you, that wasn't me.””
.””
Daniel stiffened.
“What login records?””
“The administrator account used to access the archived finance folder.””
He looked at me.
“I told you, that wasn't me.””
Rochelle turned the screen toward him.
“The login occurred using credentials assigned to your department.””
Daniel shook his head.
“Other people haveRochelle turned the screen toward him.
“The login occurred using credentials assigned to your department.””
Daniel shook his head.
“Other people have access.””
“Who?””
He hesitated.
“Gregory had administrative access before he left.””
“But the account was accessed access.””
“Who?””
He hesitated.
“Gregory had administrative access before he left.””
“But the account was accessed yesterday.””
“I don't know anything about that.””
Rochelle studied him.
“Daniel, did you ever share your password with Vanessa?””
His eyes yesterday.””
“I don't know anything about that.””
Rochelle studied him.
“Daniel, did you ever share your password with Vanessa?””
His eyes moved toward me.
“No.””
“Darius?””
“No.””
“Gregory?””
He moved toward me.
“No.””
“Darius?””
“No.””
“Gregory?””
He swallowed.
“Years ago, we worked on several projects together. But I never shared my current credentials.””
I looked at him.
“Did you receive money from any of swallowed.
“Years ago, we worked on several projects together. But I never shared my current credentials.””
I looked at him.
“Did you receive money from any of them?””
His expression hardened.
“That's an insulting question.””
“Answer it.””
“No.””
Then his phone vibrated.
He glanced at them?””
His expression hardened.
“That's an insulting question.””
“Answer it.””
“No.””
Then his phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
It was only a second.
But I saw the name.
GREGORY.
Daniel quickly turned the phone the screen.
It was only a second.
But I saw the name.
GREGORY.
Daniel quickly turned the phone face down.
Rochelle noticed.
“Who was that?””
“Nobody.””
I stood.
“Daniel face down.
Rochelle noticed.
“Who was that?””
“Nobody.””
I stood.
“Daniel.””
He looked at me.
“Show me your phone.””
“No.””
“Then explain why Gregory Mills is calling you.””
Daniel's face.””
He looked at me.
“Show me your phone.””
“No.””
“Then explain why Gregory Mills is calling you.””
Daniel's face changed.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he stood abruptly.
“This is getting out of hand. I'm leaving.””
Rochelle moved toward the door.
“Daniel, changed.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he stood abruptly.
“This is getting out of hand. I'm leaving.””
Rochelle moved toward the door.
“Daniel, I strongly recommend you remain available for questioning.””
He looked at her.
“Are you threatening me?””
“No. I'm advising you I strongly recommend you remain available for questioning.””
He looked at her.
“Are you threatening me?””
“No. I'm advising you that this matter involves suspected financial fraud and that your cooperation may be important.””
Daniel grabbed his briefcase.
I stepped that this matter involves suspected financial fraud and that your cooperation may be important.””
Daniel grabbed his briefcase.
I stepped in front of him.
“Were you working with Gregory?””
He stared at me.
Then he whispered, “You in front of him.
“Were you working with Gregory?””
He stared at me.
Then he whispered, “You have no idea what he knows.””
“What does that mean?””
Daniel looked toward my father.
Then at my mother.
Finally, he looked at me.
have no idea what he knows.””
“What does that mean?””
Daniel looked toward my father.
Then at my mother.
Finally, he looked at me.
“Gregory didn't just steal money from your company.””
My chest tightened.
“What else did he do?””
“He changed the ownership records on several properties before“Gregory didn't just steal money from your company.””
My chest tightened.
“What else did he do?””
“He changed the ownership records on several properties before he resigned.””
Rochelle immediately stepped closer.
“Which properties?””
Daniel shook his head.
“I don't he resigned.””
Rochelle immediately stepped closer.
“Which properties?””
Daniel shook his head.
“I don't remember all of them.””
“You don't remember?””
“He handled the filings.””
“Then why didn't you report it?””
Daniel looked away.
I understood.
He remember all of them.””
“You don't remember?””
“He handled the filings.””
“Then why didn't you report it?””
Daniel looked away.
I understood.
He had known something.
Perhaps not everything.
But enough to be afraid.
“Daniel, did you had known something.
Perhaps not everything.
But enough to be afraid.
“Daniel, did you help him?””
He didn't answer.
I took a step forward.
“Did you?””
He finally whispered, “I approved some help him?””
He didn't answer.
I took a step forward.
“Did you?””
He finally whispered, “I approved some transfers.””
My mother gasped.
My father closed his eyes.
I felt my hands trembling transfers.””
My mother gasped.
My father closed his eyes.
I felt my hands trembling.
“How much?””
“About one hundred thousand.””
Rochelle immediately began taking notes.
“Where did the money.
“How much?””
“About one hundred thousand.””
Rochelle immediately began taking notes.
“Where did the money go?””
“I don't know.””
“You approved transactions without verifying the beneficiaries?””
Daniel's voice rose.
“Gregory told me they were go?””
“I don't know.””
“You approved transactions without verifying the beneficiaries?””
Daniel's voice rose.
“Gregory told me they were legitimate consulting expenses!””
“And you believed him?””
“He had worked there longer than I had!””
legitimate consulting expenses!””
“And you believed him?””
“He had worked there longer than I had!””
I shook my head.
“You were supposed to protect the company.””
Daniel looked at me.
“Ethan, listen. I can help youI shook my head.
“You were supposed to protect the company.””
Daniel looked at me.
“Ethan, listen. I can help you find him.””
“Why should I trust you?””
“Because I know where he is.””
The room fell silent.
Rochelle stared at him.
“Where find him.””
“Why should I trust you?””
“Because I know where he is.””
The room fell silent.
Rochelle stared at him.
“Where?””
Daniel hesitated.
Then he gave us an address.
A private office building near Midtown Atlanta.
“He's?””
Daniel hesitated.
Then he gave us an address.
A private office building near Midtown Atlanta.
“He's meeting Darius there tonight,” Daniel said.
“I was supposed to bring the final documents.””
My phone vibrated.
A message from Vanessa.
**Ethan, please meet meeting Darius there tonight,” Daniel said.
“I was supposed to bring the final documents.””
My phone vibrated.
A message from Vanessa.
**Ethan, please meet me. I know who forged the signature on the trust. I can prove I never intended me.
I know who forged the signature on the trust. I can prove I never intended to steal your company.**
I showed it to Rochelle.
She shook her head.
“Don't meet her alone.””
Another to steal your company.**
I showed it to Rochelle.
She shook her head.
“Don't meet her alone.””
Another message arrived.
**There's something about your mother you don't know. Darius has been using her identity message arrived.
*There's something about your mother you don't know. Darius has been using her identity for months.*
I looked at my mother.
She was visibly frightened.
“What does that mean?”” she whispered.
Then Vanessa sent one final message.
*If you want to for months.*
I looked at my mother.
She was visibly frightened.
“What does that mean?”” she whispered.
Then Vanessa sent one final message.
*If you want to know why your mother was named as the notary, come to the hotel basement at 9:00 know why your mother was named as the notary, come to the hotel basement at 9:00. Bring nobody.*
Rochelle immediately shook her head.
“Absolutely not. Bring nobody.**
Rochelle immediately shook her head.
“Absolutely not.””
But before I could respond, another message arrived.
It contained a photograph.
My mother was standing outside a bank.
Beside her was Darius.
The photograph was dated three weeks.””
But before I could respond, another message arrived.
It contained a photograph.
My mother was standing outside a bank.
Beside her was Darius.
The photograph was dated three weeks earlier.
My mother stared at it.
Then she whispered something that made my blood run cold.
“I've never earlier.
My mother stared at it.
May you like
Then she whispered something that made my blood run cold.
“I've never met that man.””
