Chapter 7: The Person## Chapter 7: The Person Behind the Forgery
The following morning, I Behind the Forgery
The following morning, I arrived at Carter Bennett's office with my father and a folder containing every document Derek had ever asked me to sign arrived at Carter Bennett's office with my father and a folder containing every document Derek had ever asked me to sign.
I had barely slept.
Every time Maisie stirred.
I had barely slept.
Every time Maisie stirred during the night, I checked her blanket, kissed her forehead, and wondered how many other things my husband had done while during the night, I checked her blanket, kissed her forehead, and wondered how many other things my husband had done while I was busy preparing to become a mother.
At 9:15 a.m., Carter closed the conference room door.
“Before I was busy preparing to become a mother.
At 9:15 a.m., Carter closed the conference room door.
“Before we discuss the latest financial records, there's someone I'd like you both to meet.””
My father frowned.
“Who?””
“ we discuss the latest financial records, there's someone I'd like you both to meet.””
My father frowned.
“Who?””
“Your former financial controller.””
I looked at Dad.
“Martin?””
He nodded slowly.
“Martin Reeves?””
Your former financial controller.””
I looked at Dad.
“Martin?””
He nodded slowly.
“Martin Reeves?””
Carter opened the door.
A man in his late fifties entered, carrying a leather briefcase. His gray hair was neatly combed, but hisCarter opened the door.
A man in his late fifties entered, carrying a leather briefcase. His gray hair was neatly combed, but his face looked unusually pale.
I'd known Martin for years.
He had worked for my father for nearly fifteen years and had attended several family Christmas dinners.
He had once helped me understand face looked unusually pale.
I'd known Martin for years.
He had worked for my father for nearly fifteen years and had attended several family Christmas dinners.
He had once helped me understand the inheritance paperwork after my mother died.
I remembered him bringing me coffee when I visited Dad's office during college.
He had always seemed trustworthy.
“Thomas,” Martin said quietly.
My father the inheritance paperwork after my mother died.
I remembered him bringing me coffee when I visited Dad's office during college.
He had always seemed trustworthy.
“Thomas,” Martin said quietly.
My father didn't stand.
“Sit down.””
Martin placed his briefcase on the table.
Carter remained standing.
“Mr. Reeves has agreed to provide information didn't stand.
“Sit down.””
Martin placed his briefcase on the table.
Carter remained standing.
“Mr. Reeves has agreed to provide information concerning the unauthorized access to Thomas Vance Holdings' financial records.””
My father looked at him.
“Martin, did you give concerning the unauthorized access to Thomas Vance Holdings' financial records.””
My father looked at him.
“Martin, did you give Derek access to my files?””
Martin lowered his eyes.
“Yes.””
The word landed like a stone.
“Why?””
Martin swallowed.
Derek access to my files?””
Martin lowered his eyes.
“Yes.””
The word landed like a stone.
“Why?””
Martin swallowed.
“He approached me about an investment opportunity. He said he had your permission to prepare a financing proposal.””
“I never“He approached me about an investment opportunity. He said he had your permission to prepare a financing proposal.””
“I never gave him permission.””
“I know that now.””
My father's expression hardened.
“You knew it then.””
Martin didn't answer.
Carter pulled out a chair.
“Mr. gave him permission.””
“I know that now.””
My father's expression hardened.
“You knew it then.””
Martin didn't answer.
Carter pulled out a chair.
“Mr. Reeves, explain what happened.””
Martin sat.
“Derek contacted me last spring. He said Audrey and he Reeves, explain what happened.””
Martin sat.
“Derek contacted me last spring. He said Audrey and he were restructuring their personal finances and that Thomas intended to transfer the mansion into a new holding company.””
I stared at him.
“Why would you were restructuring their personal finances and that Thomas intended to transfer the mansion into a new holding company.””
I stared at him.
“Why would you believe that?””
“He showed me emails.””
“What emails?””
“Messages that appeared to come from your father.””
Dad leaned forward.
“I never sent them.””
Martin nodded.
“I understand believe that?””
“He showed me emails.””
“What emails?””
“Messages that appeared to come from your father.””
Dad leaned forward.
“I never sent them.””
Martin nodded.
“I understand that now.””
Carter opened a folder.
“Did you verify the emails?””
Martin looked uncomfortable.
“No.””
“Did you speak directly with Thomas?””
“No.””
“Then why did you proceed that now.””
Carter opened a folder.
“Did you verify the emails?””
Martin looked uncomfortable.
“No.””
“Did you speak directly with Thomas?””
“No.””
“Then why did you proceed?””
Martin rubbed his hands together.
“Derek offered me a consulting position with his development company. He said he was building something?””
Martin rubbed his hands together.
“Derek offered me a consulting position with his development company. He said he was building something substantial and needed someone familiar with the Vance portfolio.””
My father let out a bitter laugh.
“You sold fifteen years of loyalty for a consulting substantial and needed someone familiar with the Vance portfolio.””
My father let out a bitter laugh.
“You sold fifteen years of loyalty for a consulting position?””
Martin flinched.
“He offered me $120,000.””
Silence filled the room.
I looked at him.
“And position?””
Martin flinched.
“He offered me $120,000.””
Silence filled the room.
I looked at him.
“And the money?””
Martin nodded.
“I received an initial payment.””
“How much?””
“Forty thousand dollars.””
My father stood.
“Get out.””
Carter raised one hand.
“Thomas, please. the money?””
Martin nodded.
“I received an initial payment.””
“How much?””
“Forty thousand dollars.””
My father stood.
“Get out.””
Carter raised one hand.
“Thomas, please. We need the full account.””
My father slowly sat again.
Martin opened his briefcase.
He removed several printed emails, a USB drive, and a small notebook.
“I We need the full account.””
My father slowly sat again.
Martin opened his briefcase.
He removed several printed emails, a USB drive, and a small notebook.
“I kept copies of the communications,” he said.
Carter examined the papers.
“Why?””
“Because Derek started changing the instructions.””
“What instructions?””
Martin looked at me.
“He kept copies of the communications,” he said.
Carter examined the papers.
“Why?””
“Because Derek started changing the instructions.””
“What instructions?””
Martin looked at me.
“He wanted the property records modified to show that his company had an ownership interest in the mansion.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“Could you do that?””
“Not wanted the property records modified to show that his company had an ownership interest in the mansion.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“Could you do that?””
“Not officially. I didn't have the authority. But I could access the administrative portal and retrieve the documents he needed.””
“Did you change officially. I didn't have the authority. But I could access the administrative portal and retrieve the documents he needed.””
“Did you change anything?””
“No. I only downloaded records.””
“Then how did the forged documents appear?””
Martin hesitated.
“Derek said anything?””
“No. I only downloaded records.””
“Then how did the forged documents appear?””
Martin hesitated.
“Derek said he had someone who could prepare them.””
Carter leaned forward.
“Who?””
“I don't know the person's full name.””
“Do you have a name?””
“Ethan Cole.””
My heart he had someone who could prepare them.””
Carter leaned forward.
“Who?””
“I don't know the person's full name.””
“Do you have a name?””
“Ethan Cole.””
My heart stopped.
“Cole?””
Martin nodded.
“Derek introduced him as a corporate consultant.””
I looked at Carter.
“Vanessa's last name is Cole.””
Nobody stopped.
“Cole?””
Martin nodded.
“Derek introduced him as a corporate consultant.””
I looked at Carter.
“Vanessa's last name is Cole.””
Nobody spoke.
My father slowly turned toward Martin.
“Are you saying Vanessa was involved?””
“No. I spoke.
My father slowly turned toward Martin.
“Are you saying Vanessa was involved?””
“No. I never met her. I only know the man Derek introduced.””
Carter wrote the name down.
“Do you have any correspondence?””
Martin pushed never met her. I only know the man Derek introduced.””
Carter wrote the name down.
“Do you have any correspondence?””
Martin pushed the USB drive across the table.
“Everything I saved is on there.””
Carter examined the drive.
“Thank you. We'll preserve this the USB drive across the table.
“Everything I saved is on there.””
Carter examined the drive.
“Thank you. We'll preserve this and have it reviewed.””
My father stared at Martin.
“Did Derek know you kept copies?””
Martin shook his head.
“I don't think so.””
“Then why are and have it reviewed.””
My father stared at Martin.
“Did Derek know you kept copies?””
Martin shook his head.
“I don't think so.””
“Then why are you telling us now?””
Martin looked toward the window.
“Because yesterday, Derek called me.””
My father went still.
“What did he want?””
“He told you telling us now?””
Martin looked toward the window.
“Because yesterday, Derek called me.””
My father went still.
“What did he want?””
“He told me the lender was asking questions. He said I needed to confirm that Thomas had authorized the property transfer.””
“And me the lender was asking questions. He said I needed to confirm that Thomas had authorized the property transfer.””
“And what did you say?””
“I refused.””
Martin's voice cracked.
“He told me I would regret it.””
what did you say?””
“I refused.””
Martin's voice cracked.
“He told me I would regret it.””
Carter's expression changed.
“Did he threaten you?””
“He said he had copies of the emails showing that I accessed the company records. He saidCarter's expression changed.
“Did he threaten you?””
“He said he had copies of the emails showing that I accessed the company records. He said he could make it look like I had acted alone.””
My father closed his eyes.
For a moment, he looked older than I had ever seen him.
Then he opened them.
“Martin, you he could make it look like I had acted alone.””
My father closed his eyes.
For a moment, he looked older than I had ever seen him.
Then he opened them.
“Martin, you made your choices. I won't pretend otherwise. But if you're telling the truth now, cooperate fully with the investigation.””
made your choices. I won't pretend otherwise. But if you're telling the truth now, cooperate fully with the investigation.””
Martin nodded.
“I will.””
Carter took the USB drive.
“That's all for now.””
Martin stood.
Before leaving, he turned toward me.
“Audrey, I'mMartin nodded.
“I will.””
Carter took the USB drive.
“That's all for now.””
Martin stood.
Before leaving, he turned toward me.
“Audrey, I'm sorry.””
I looked at him.
“You knew I was pregnant.””
He nodded.
“You knew my father was trusting you.””
“Yes.””
“And you still helped my husband use our sorry.””
I looked at him.
“You knew I was pregnant.””
He nodded.
“You knew my father was trusting you.””
“Yes.””
“And you still helped my husband use our family records.””
Martin's eyes filled.
“I did.””
I didn't forgive him.
I wasn't ready.
I wasn't sure I ever would be.
But as he left the room, I understood something important family records.””
Martin's eyes filled.
“I did.””
I didn't forgive him.
I wasn't ready.
I wasn't sure I ever would be.
But as he left the room, I understood something important.
Derek hadn't built this scheme alone.
He had found people who were willing to help him because he made.
Derek hadn't built this scheme alone.
He had found people who were willing to help him because he made promises.
And now those promises were beginning to collapse.
At 11:30 a.m., Carter received a call from the lender's promises.
And now those promises were beginning to collapse.
At 11:30 a.m., Carter received a call from the lender's compliance department.
He listened without interrupting.
Then he asked for the relevant documents to be sent immediately.
When he ended the call, he looked at compliance department.
He listened without interrupting.
Then he asked for the relevant documents to be sent immediately.
When he ended the call, he looked at my father.
“They've suspended the financing application.””
Dad nodded.
“Good.””
“There's more. The lender has identified a second account connected to the proposed transaction.””
C my father.
“They've suspended the financing application.””
Dad nodded.
“Good.””
“There's more. The lender has identified a second account connected to the proposed transaction.””
Carter turned his laptop toward us.
A company called Vantage Ridge Holdings had received several payments from Halarter turned his laptop toward us.
A company called Vantage Ridge Holdings had received several payments from Halston Development Partners.
I didn't recognize the name.
My father did.
“Who owns that company?””
Carter checked the records.
“It's registeredston Development Partners.
I didn't recognize the name.
My father did.
“Who owns that company?””
Carter checked the records.
“It's registered to Ethan Cole.””
I stared.
Vanessa's brother.
Or perhaps her relative.
I didn't know.
“Is he the to Ethan Cole.””
I stared.
Vanessa's brother.
Or perhaps her relative.
I didn't know.
“Is he the same Ethan Martin mentioned?””
“That's what we're trying to establish.””
Carter opened another document.
“This company received $ same Ethan Martin mentioned?””
“That's what we're trying to establish.””
Carter opened another document.
“This company received $210,000 over four months.””
My father leaned closer.
“Where did the money come from?””
“210,000 over four months.””
My father leaned closer.
“Where did the money come from?””
“Halston Development Partners.””
“Which received the initial advance connected to the proposed property transaction,” Dad said.
Carter nodded.
“Correct.””
I looked at the figures.
“Was Derek movingHalston Development Partners.””
“Which received the initial advance connected to the proposed property transaction,” Dad said.
Carter nodded.
“Correct.””
I looked at the figures.
“Was Derek moving the money somewhere else?””
“It appears so.””
“Why?””
“Possibly to conceal the source or destination of funds. We need the complete the money somewhere else?””
“It appears so.””
“Why?””
“Possibly to conceal the source or destination of funds. We need the complete banking records before drawing conclusions.””
My phone vibrated.
A message from Vanessa.
I found out who Ethan is. He's my older brother.
I stared at the screen.
Another message arrived.
*Derek told me Ethan banking records before drawing conclusions.””
My phone vibrated.
A message from Vanessa.
I found out who Ethan is. He's my older brother.
I stared at the screen.
Another message arrived.
Derek told me Ethan was helping with the business. I didn't know he was involved with your family's property.
I showed Carter.
He read the messages.
“Ask her whether she has any relevant records or communications. was helping with the business. I didn't know he was involved with your family's property.*
I showed Carter.
He read the messages.
“Ask her whether she has any relevant records or communications. But again, don't encourage her to access anything without permission.””
I typed carefully.
*Did your brother know Derek was married But again, don't encourage her to access anything without permission.””
I typed carefully.
Did your brother know Derek was married and that the property belonged to my father's trust?
The reply came almost immediately.
Yes. I heard them and that the property belonged to my father's trust?
The reply came almost immediately.
Yes. I heard them discussing it.
My chest tightened.
When?
Three weeks ago. Derek said he needed the property transferred before discussing it.
My chest tightened.
When?
Three weeks ago. Derek said he needed the property transferred before the baby arrived.
I read the message twice.
Then Vanessa sent another.
Ethan told him the paperwork could be arranged. Derek said you the baby arrived.
I read the message twice.
Then Vanessa sent another.
Ethan told him the paperwork could be arranged. Derek said you would sign whatever he put in front of you once you were home from the hospital.
I felt sick.
The baby.
The hospital.
The documents.
It had would sign whatever he put in front of you once you were home from the hospital.*
I felt sick.
The baby.
The hospital.
The documents.
It had all been planned.
I handed my phone to Carter.
He read the messages silently.
Then he said, “This is important. We'll preserve the conversation and arrange for a formal statement if she's willing.””
I looked at my father all been planned.
I handed my phone to Carter.
He read the messages silently.
Then he said, “This is important. We'll preserve the conversation and arrange for a formal statement if she's willing.””
I looked at my father.
He was staring at the table.
“Dad?””
He raised his eyes.
“I should have protected you better.””
I.
He was staring at the table.
“Dad?””
He raised his eyes.
“I should have protected you better.””
I reached across and held his hand.
“You didn't do this.””
“I trusted people.””
“So did I.””
reached across and held his hand.
“You didn't do this.””
“I trusted people.””
“So did I.””
He squeezed my fingers.
Then Carter's office phone rang.
His assistant announced that a woman named Nicole was waiting downstairs.
My father's former executiveHe squeezed my fingers.
Then Carter's office phone rang.
His assistant announced that a woman named Nicole was waiting downstairs.
My father's former executive assistant.
The same woman I had called from the hospital when Derek wasn't answering.
Carter frowned.
“Did she say why she's here?””
“She said she has information about Mr. Halston.””
My father looked surprised.
“Bring her up assistant.
The same woman I had called from the hospital when Derek wasn't answering.
Carter frowned.
“Did she say why she's here?””
“She said she has information about Mr. Halston.””
My father looked surprised.
“Bring her up.””
A minute later, Nicole entered.
She looked nervous.
She held a large envelope against her chest.
“Audrey,” she.””
A minute later, Nicole entered.
She looked nervous.
She held a large envelope against her chest.
“Audrey,” she said.
I recognized her immediately.
“Nicole?””
She nodded.
“I heard about everything. I'm so sorry.””
“What's going on?””
She looked at Carter.
“I have copies of emails Derek sent said.
I recognized her immediately.
“Nicole?””
She nodded.
“I heard about everything. I'm so sorry.””
“What's going on?””
She looked at Carter.
“I have copies of emails Derek sent to his personal account through the office server.””
Carter gestured toward the chair.
“Please sit down.””
Nicole opened the envelope.
“There are messages from to his personal account through the office server.””
Carter gestured toward the chair.
“Please sit down.””
Nicole opened the envelope.
“There are messages from the week Audrey was in the hospital.””
the week Audrey was in the hospital.””
My throat tightened.
“What messages?””
Nicole looked at me.
“One of them was sent at 3:06 a.m. on the night you gave birth.””
I remembered that night.
I remembered calling Derek.
I remembered watching the clock.
Nicole placed a printed email on the table.
The sender was Derek.
The recipientMy throat tightened.
“What messages?””
Nicole looked at me.
“One of them was sent at 3:06 a.m. on the night you gave birth.””
I remembered that night.
I remembered calling Derek.
I remembered watching the clock.
Nicole placed a printed email on the table.
The sender was Derek.
The recipient was Vanessa.
The subject line read:
*Once the Baby Arrives.*
I looked at the first paragraph.
And felt the room disappear around me.
*Once Audrey delivers was Vanessa.
The subject line read:
*Once the Baby Arrives.*
I looked at the first paragraph.
And felt the room disappear around me.
Once Audrey delivers, she'll be exhausted and distracted. I'll get her to sign the remaining documents before she has time to ask questions.
My, she'll be exhausted and distracted. I'll get her to sign the remaining documents before she has time to ask questions.*
My hands began shaking.
There was more.
*After that, the mansion transfer will be straightforward. My father-in-law won't be able to block everything once the hands began shaking.
There was more.
After that, the mansion transfer will be straightforward. My father-in-law won't be able to block everything once the paperwork is underway.
My father stared at the page.
“He planned to use her recovery.””
Nicole nodded.
“There are more emails.””
Carter turned another page.
The next message was dated the morning paperwork is underway.*
My father stared at the page.
“He planned to use her recovery.””
Nicole nodded.
“There are more emails.””
Carter turned another page.
The next message was dated the morning after Maisie was born.
It contained one sentence.
She's still at the hospital. We have a little more time.
I couldn't breathe.
For after Maisie was born.
It contained one sentence.
She's still at the hospital. We have a little more time.
I couldn't breathe.
For five days, I had believed my husband had abandoned me because he was selfish.
Now I understood that while I was learning to hold my newborn daughter, he had been waiting for an opportunity to make me sign away my future five days, I had believed my husband had abandoned me because he was selfish.
Now I understood that while I was learning to hold my newborn daughter, he had been waiting for an opportunity to make me sign away my future.
And the last email in Nicole's envelope was addressed to someone whose name none of us expected to see.
*Margaret Halston.*
.
May you like
And the last email in Nicole's envelope was addressed to someone whose name none of us expected to see.
*Margaret Halston.*
