Chapter 8: The Woman Who Cla Chapter 8: The Woman Who Claimed My Mother's Inheritance
Eleanor Pierce had just filed a legalimed My Mother's Inheritance
Eleanor Pierce had just filed a legal claim against a woman who had been dead for almost thirty years.
And claim against a woman who had been dead for almost thirty years.
And somehow, she had used my mother's death certificate to do it.
I stared at the telephone.
“Ms. Sloan, somehow, she had used my mother's death certificate to do it.
I stared at the telephone.
“Ms. Sloan, explain exactly what she filed.””
“The petition claims that Elizabeth Alden's original shares were never legally transferred to the Alden Family Trust. Eleanor explain exactly what she filed.””
“The petition claims that Elizabeth Alden's original shares were never legally transferred to the Alden Family Trust. Eleanor is arguing that the shares should be treated as unclaimed estate property.””
“That's impossible. My mother left those is arguing that the shares should be treated as unclaimed estate property.””
“That's impossible. My mother left those shares to me.””
“Your mother did leave a private instruction. However, the original transfer documentation appears to be shares to me.””
“Your mother did leave a private instruction. However, the original transfer documentation appears to be incomplete.””
I looked at the certificates on the table.
“What about these?””
“They establish the reserve allocation, incomplete.””
I looked at the certificates on the table.
“What about these?””
“They establish the reserve allocation, but they don't resolve the separate ownership dispute.””
I felt my jaw tighten.
“Who prepared the petition?””
“Caroline Voss.””
I turned toward Caroline.
She was standing near the but they don't resolve the separate ownership dispute.””
I felt my jaw tighten.
“Who prepared the petition?””
“Caroline Voss.””
I turned toward Caroline.
She was standing near the conference room window.
Her face had gone white.
“Caroline?””
She looked at me.
Then she slowly shook her head.
“I didn't conference room window.
Her face had gone white.
“Caroline?””
She looked at me.
Then she slowly shook her head.
“I didn't file it.””
I covered the telephone.
“Ms. Sloan, send the complete petition to Margaret Ellis. And do not release any funds or securities until the court has reviewed the dispute.””
“Understood.””
I ended file it.””
I covered the telephone.
“Ms. Sloan, send the complete petition to Margaret Ellis. And do not release any funds or securities until the court has reviewed the dispute.””
“Understood.””
I ended the call.
Caroline approached the table.
“Vivian, I swear I didn't prepare that filing.””
“Your name is on it.””
“Someone used my the call.
Caroline approached the table.
“Vivian, I swear I didn't prepare that filing.””
“Your name is on it.””
“Someone used my old attorney registration information.””
Margaret picked up the telephone.
“I'm checking the filing old attorney registration information.””
Margaret picked up the telephone.
“I'm checking the filing now.””
Daniel Mercer opened his laptop.
Within minutes, he had accessed the public court now.””
Daniel Mercer opened his laptop.
Within minutes, he had accessed the public court docket.
The petition appeared.
It had been filed at 8:16 that morning.
The plaintiff was Eleanor Pierce, docket.
The petition appeared.
It had been filed at 8:16 that morning.
The plaintiff was Eleanor Pierce, acting as representative of the alleged estate interests of Elizabeth Alden.
The filing attorney was Caroline Voss.
But there was something else.
The attached acting as representative of the alleged estate interests of Elizabeth Alden.
The filing attorney was Caroline Voss.
But there was something else.
The attached affidavit claimed that my mother had entered into a confidential agreement with Eleanor shortly before her death.
According to the document, Eleanor had been appointed cust affidavit claimed that my mother had entered into a confidential agreement with Eleanor shortly before her death.
According to the document, Eleanor had been appointed custodian of the original shares.
I read the paragraph twice.
“Where is this agreement?””
Daniel scrolled down.
“Exhibit C.””
odian of the original shares.
I read the paragraph twice.
“Where is this agreement?””
Daniel scrolled down.
“Exhibit C.””
He opened it.
A scanned document appeared.
My mother's signature sat at the bottom.
I recognized it immediately.
The elegant capitalHe opened it.
A scanned document appeared.
My mother's signature sat at the bottom.
I recognized it immediately.
The elegant capital E.
The long downward stroke.
The little flourish beneath Alden.
But the signature was dated three days before her E.
The long downward stroke.
The little flourish beneath Alden.
But the signature was dated three days before her death.
I leaned closer.
“That's not possible.””
Margaret examined it.
“Why?””
“My mother was in the hospital three days before she death.
I leaned closer.
“That's not possible.””
Margaret examined it.
“Why?””
“My mother was in the hospital three days before she died. She couldn't sign documents without assistance.””
Caroline stepped forward.
“Let me see.””
Margaret handed her the screen.
Caroline studied the died. She couldn't sign documents without assistance.””
Caroline stepped forward.
“Let me see.””
Margaret handed her the screen.
Caroline studied the signature.
Then she looked at me.
“That's a reproduction.””
“How can you tell?””
“Because I drafted the original document they're signature.
Then she looked at me.
“That's a reproduction.””
“How can you tell?””
“Because I drafted the original document they're copying.””
The room went silent.
“You drafted it?””
“Yes. But it was never signed.””
She pointed copying.””
The room went silent.
“You drafted it?””
“Yes. But it was never signed.””
She pointed toward the lower corner.
“Look at the document number. The original was marked preliminary. It was never notarized, never witnessed, and never entered toward the lower corner.
“Look at the document number. The original was marked preliminary. It was never notarized, never witnessed, and never entered into the company's records.””
Margaret enlarged the page.
Caroline was right.
The document number contained a handwritten letter that did not appear in the into the company's records.””
Margaret enlarged the page.
Caroline was right.
The document number contained a handwritten letter that did not appear in the official version.
Someone had taken an unsigned draft and added a signature.
I felt a strange calm settle over me.
E official version.
Someone had taken an unsigned draft and added a signature.
I felt a strange calm settle over me.
Eleanor had finally made a mistake.
Not because she had become careless.
Because she had become desperate.
“Margaret, can we use this?””
“Yes. We'll have the document examined by aleanor had finally made a mistake.
Not because she had become careless.
Because she had become desperate.
“Margaret, can we use this?””
“Yes. We'll have the document examined by a forensic handwriting specialist. We can also request the original drafting records from the law firm.””
Caroline looked down.
“I still forensic handwriting specialist. We can also request the original drafting records from the law firm.””
Caroline looked down.
“I still have the original file.””
I turned toward her.
“Where?””
“In a storage unit. I kept copies of the old corporate documents have the original file.””
I turned toward her.
“Where?””
“In a storage unit. I kept copies of the old corporate documents after I left the company.””
Margaret immediately wrote it down.
“Then we'll retrieve them under after I left the company.””
Margaret immediately wrote it down.
“Then we'll retrieve them under supervision.””
I glanced at the clock.
It was almost noon.
The day had already brought more revelations than I could process.
But Eleanor supervision.””
I glanced at the clock.
It was almost noon.
The day had already brought more revelations than I could process.
But Eleanor wasn't finished.
My phone rang.
Her name appeared on the screen.
I answered.
“Eleanor.””
“Vivian, darling.””
Her voice was warm.
Almost affectionate.
It made my wasn't finished.
My phone rang.
Her name appeared on the screen.
I answered.
“Eleanor.””
“Vivian, darling.””
Her voice was warm.
Almost affectionate.
It made my skin crawl.
“I heard you've been making inquiries at the bank.””
“Your information is impressive.””
“I've always skin crawl.
“I heard you've been making inquiries at the bank.””
“Your information is impressive.””
“I've always been interested in family matters.””
“Then perhaps you can explain why you filed a fraudulent claim against my mother's estate.””
A short laugh.
“Fra been interested in family matters.””
“Then perhaps you can explain why you filed a fraudulent claim against my mother's estate.””
A short laugh.
“Fraudulent? That's a serious word.””
“Your petition contains an unsigned draft with a fabricatedudulent? That's a serious word.””
“Your petition contains an unsigned draft with a fabricated signature.””
“Your mother made arrangements before she died.””
“She did not sign that document.””
“You were signature.””
“Your mother made arrangements before she died.””
“She did not sign that document.””
“You were twelve, Vivian. You couldn't possibly know everything she discussed with me.””
I looked at Margaret.
She was recording the call with twelve, Vivian. You couldn't possibly know everything she discussed with me.””
I looked at Margaret.
She was recording the call with my permission.
“Then tell me what she discussed.””
Eleanor sighed.
“Your mother was unhappy with Richard my permission.
“Then tell me what she discussed.””
Eleanor sighed.
“Your mother was unhappy with Richard. She believed he had become obsessed with the company. She wanted someone else to protect her interests.””
“And she. She believed he had become obsessed with the company. She wanted someone else to protect her interests.””
“And she chose you?””
“Of course.””
“Then why did she leave the shares to me?””
Eleanor's voice hardened chose you?””
“Of course.””
“Then why did she leave the shares to me?””
Eleanor's voice hardened.
“Because Richard manipulated her.””
I almost smiled.
There it was.
The same story she had been telling herself for decades.
Everyone.
“Because Richard manipulated her.””
I almost smiled.
There it was.
The same story she had been telling herself for decades.
Everyone else was responsible.
Everyone else had misunderstood.
Everyone else had taken what belonged to her.
“Eleanor, do you else was responsible.
Everyone else had misunderstood.
Everyone else had taken what belonged to her.
“Eleanor, do you have the original agreement?””
“I have something much more important.””
“What?””
“The original medical authorization.””
My stomach tightened.
“What medical authorization?””
“The one that proves your mother was not mentally competent when she signed the share have the original agreement?””
“I have something much more important.””
“What?””
“The original medical authorization.””
My stomach tightened.
“What medical authorization?””
“The one that proves your mother was not mentally competent when she signed the share transfer.””
I looked at the notebook.
My mother's handwriting.
Her careful notes.
Her financial records.
Everything indicated that transfer.””
I looked at the notebook.
My mother's handwriting.
Her careful notes.
Her financial records.
Everything indicated that she had understood exactly what she was doing.
“That's another lie.””
“Is it?””
Eleanor laughed softly.
“Ask Dr. H she had understood exactly what she was doing.
“That's another lie.””
“Is it?””
Eleanor laughed softly.
“Ask Dr. Harlan.””
The call ended.
I looked at Margaret.
“Find him.””
She nodded.
Daniel was already typing.
Within minutes,arlan.””
The call ended.
I looked at Margaret.
“Find him.””
She nodded.
Daniel was already typing.
Within minutes, he had located Dr. Peter Harlan.
He was no longer practicing medicine.
He lived in a large property outside he had located Dr. Peter Harlan.
He was no longer practicing medicine.
He lived in a large property outside Boston and had previously been the medical director of the hospital where my mother died.
There was another detail.
He had served Boston and had previously been the medical director of the hospital where my mother died.
There was another detail.
He had served as a paid consultant for Meridian Lifestyle Consulting.
For years.
Margaret leaned back.
“Vivian, I think we have as a paid consultant for Meridian Lifestyle Consulting.
For years.
Margaret leaned back.
“Vivian, I think we have enough to establish a pattern. But I want to know why Eleanor is suddenly pushing this claim.””
I looked at enough to establish a pattern. But I want to know why Eleanor is suddenly pushing this claim.””
I looked at the bank transfer.
The $1.2 million sent to Camden.
The forged authorization.
The acquisition proposal.
“Because she's running out of time.””
I the bank transfer.
The $1.2 million sent to Camden.
The forged authorization.
The acquisition proposal.
“Because she's running out of time.””
I picked up my phone.
“Contact Northstar. I want their legal representative in a room with us picked up my phone.
“Contact Northstar. I want their legal representative in a room with us.””
Margaret looked surprised.
“Why?””
“Because I want to know who is actually buying my company.””
At three o'clock, we met Northstar.””
Margaret looked surprised.
“Why?””
“Because I want to know who is actually buying my company.””
At three o'clock, we met Northstar's representative at Margaret's office.
His name was Andrew Keller.
He was in his early fifties, wore a dark gray suit, and carried a leather portfolio that looked expensive enough to contain's representative at Margaret's office.
His name was Andrew Keller.
He was in his early fifties, wore a dark gray suit, and carried a leather portfolio that looked expensive enough to contain several bad decisions.
He entered the conference room with a confident smile.
“Mrs. Pierce. It's a pleasure.””
I didn't return it.
“Mr. several bad decisions.
He entered the conference room with a confident smile.
“Mrs. Pierce. It's a pleasure.””
I didn't return it.
“Mr. Keller, are you purchasing Pierce Aero?””
He sat down.
“Northstar is exploring a strategic acquisition.””
“Through my husband?””
“ Keller, are you purchasing Pierce Aero?””
He sat down.
“Northstar is exploring a strategic acquisition.””
“Through my husband?””
“Mr. Pierce has been a valuable contact.””
“Does he own any shares?””
Keller hesitated.
“HeMr. Pierce has been a valuable contact.””
“Does he own any shares?””
Keller hesitated.
“He represents the operational interests.””
“That wasn't my question.””
“No. He doesn't own controlling represents the operational interests.””
“That wasn't my question.””
“No. He doesn't own controlling shares.””
“Then why are you negotiating with him?””
“We were advised that his management authority extended to corporate restructuring.””
I slid shares.””
“Then why are you negotiating with him?””
“We were advised that his management authority extended to corporate restructuring.””
I slid the ownership document across the table.
“Who advised you?””
He looked at the document.
Then he looked the ownership document across the table.
“Who advised you?””
He looked at the document.
Then he looked at me.
“Eleanor Pierce.””
I nodded.
“And what company is actually funding the acquisition?””
Keller opened his portfolio at me.
“Eleanor Pierce.””
I nodded.
“And what company is actually funding the acquisition?””
Keller opened his portfolio.
“Alden Meridian International.””
“Who owns it?””
He hesitated again.
“It's a private investment.
“Alden Meridian International.””
“Who owns it?””
He hesitated again.
“It's a private investment vehicle.””
“Who owns it?””
He glanced toward Margaret.
“I'm not authorized to disclose that information.””
I leaned forward.
“Mr. Keller, you are sitting vehicle.””
“Who owns it?””
He glanced toward Margaret.
“I'm not authorized to disclose that information.””
I leaned forward.
“Mr. Keller, you are sitting in a room with the controlling shareholder of the company you intend to purchase. I am asking you a direct question.””
He slowly in a room with the controlling shareholder of the company you intend to purchase. I am asking you a direct question.””
He slowly closed his portfolio.
“Eleanor Pierce is the principal investor.””
I looked at Margaret.
She made a note.
“How much closed his portfolio.
“Eleanor Pierce is the principal investor.””
I looked at Margaret.
She made a note.
“How much money has she committed?””
“Approximately forty million dollars.””
“And what is the purchase price?””
“Seventy-five million.””
I stared at him.
The company was worth substantially money has she committed?””
“Approximately forty million dollars.””
“And what is the purchase price?””
“Seventy-five million.””
I stared at him.
The company was worth substantially more.
“Who prepared the valuation?””
“An independent consultant.””
“Which one?””
He named a firm.
Marg more.
“Who prepared the valuation?””
“An independent consultant.””
“Which one?””
He named a firm.
Margaret immediately recognized it.
“They were dismissed from a previous engagement for a conflict of interest.””
Keller shifted.
“Iaret immediately recognized it.
“They were dismissed from a previous engagement for a conflict of interest.””
Keller shifted.
“I wasn't aware of that.””
“Of course you weren't.””
I placed the forged authorization on the table.
“Your proposed wasn't aware of that.””
“Of course you weren't.””
I placed the forged authorization on the table.
“Your proposed transaction also relies on a document bearing my signature.””
He looked at it.
“I was told Mrs. Pierce had approved the transaction.””
“ transaction also relies on a document bearing my signature.””
He looked at it.
“I was told Mrs. Pierce had approved the transaction.””
“Which Mrs. Pierce?””
His expression changed.
For a moment, he looked genuinely uncomfortable.
Then he said something that made theWhich Mrs. Pierce?””
His expression changed.
For a moment, he looked genuinely uncomfortable.
Then he said something that made the entire room go quiet.
“Mr. Pierce assured us that Vivian Alden Pierce would be legally removed from the company's management before closing entire room go quiet.
“Mr. Pierce assured us that Vivian Alden Pierce would be legally removed from the company's management before closing.””
I stared at him.
“Removed how?””
Keller looked at the document.
“Through a medical incapacity proceeding.””
I leaned back.””
I stared at him.
“Removed how?””
Keller looked at the document.
“Through a medical incapacity proceeding.””
I leaned back.
There it was.
The entire plan.
They weren't trying to persuade me to sell.
They were trying to make sure I couldn't stop.
There it was.
The entire plan.
They weren't trying to persuade me to sell.
They were trying to make sure I couldn't stop them.
I stood.
“Mr. Keller, this meeting is over.””
He gathered his portfolio.
“Mrs. Pierce, I hope we them.
I stood.
“Mr. Keller, this meeting is over.””
He gathered his portfolio.
“Mrs. Pierce, I hope we can find a way to resolve this.””
I looked at him.
“You can resolve it by preserving every communication, every transaction, can find a way to resolve this.””
I looked at him.
“You can resolve it by preserving every communication, every transaction, and every document relating to this acquisition. My attorneys will be contacting you.””
He left.
Margaret remained seated.
“ and every document relating to this acquisition. My attorneys will be contacting you.””
He left.
Margaret remained seated.
“Vivian, we need to move quickly.””
“I know.””
“Camden has been preparing this for months.””
“Vivian, we need to move quickly.””
“I know.””
“Camden has been preparing this for months.””
“Longer than that.””
I thought about the wedding.
The promises.
The business dinners.
The years ofLonger than that.””
I thought about the wedding.
The promises.
The business dinners.
The years of pretending that everything we had built belonged to both of us.
Then my phone rang.
An unfamiliar number.
I answered pretending that everything we had built belonged to both of us.
Then my phone rang.
An unfamiliar number.
I answered.
“Vivian Pierce.””
A man's voice spoke.
“Mrs. Pierce, this is Peter Harlan.””
I stood.
“.
“Vivian Pierce.””
A man's voice spoke.
“Mrs. Pierce, this is Peter Harlan.””
I stood.
“Dr. Harlan.””
“I understand you've been asking questions about Elizabeth Alden.””
“Yes.””
He sighedDr. Harlan.””
“I understand you've been asking questions about Elizabeth Alden.””
“Yes.””
He sighed.
“I think you deserve to know what happened.””
“Then tell me.””
“Not on the telephone.””
“Where?””
“My office. Tomorrow morning.””
“Why not tonight?””
There was a long pause.
Then he whispered.
“I think you deserve to know what happened.””
“Then tell me.””
“Not on the telephone.””
“Where?””
“My office. Tomorrow morning.””
“Why not tonight?””
There was a long pause.
Then he whispered:
“Because Eleanor Pierce is already here.””
The line went dead.
I looked at Margaret.
She had:
“Because Eleanor Pierce is already here.””
The line went dead.
I looked at Margaret.
She had heard enough to understand.
“Vivian, we're not going anywhere without security.””
I nodded.
But before we could make heard enough to understand.
“Vivian, we're not going anywhere without security.””
I nodded.
But before we could make arrangements, another message appeared on my screen.
It was from Lila Monroe.
*You don't arrangements, another message appeared on my screen.
It was from Lila Monroe.
You don't know what Camden has planned for tomorrow.
A second message followed.
He told me I know what Camden has planned for tomorrow.
A second message followed.
He told me I would be the new Mrs. Pierce by Christmas.
I stared at it.
Then she sent a photograph.
It showed Camden standing beside a woman in a white dress.
The photograph would be the new Mrs. Pierce by Christmas.*
I stared at it.
Then she sent a photograph.
It showed Camden standing beside a woman in a white dress.
The photograph had been taken inside a bridal boutique.
The date was three weeks earlier.
But the woman wearing the dress wasn't Lila.
It had been taken inside a bridal boutique.
The date was three weeks earlier.
But the woman wearing the dress wasn't Lila.
It was me.
Or someone who looked almost exactly like me.
And beneath the photograph was a message that made my was me.
Or someone who looked almost exactly like me.
May you like
And beneath the photograph was a message that made my blood run cold.
Vivian, they're planning to replace you.
