Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Lawyer Who Buried My Name
Thomas: The Lawyer Who Buried My Name
Thomas Vane was smiling at me from the porch Vane was smiling at me from the porch of the house where I'd once believed of the house where I'd once believed my future would begin.
He held his phone against his ear, watching me through the windshield as though he my future would begin.
He held his phone against his ear, watching me through the windshield as though he had been expecting me to look up.
Then he raised two fingers in a small, had been expecting me to look up.
Then he raised two fingers in a small, almost friendly wave.
I got into my car and locked the doors.
My phone was still pressed to my ear.
"Beatrix," almost friendly wave.
I got into my car and locked the doors.
My phone was still pressed to my ear.
"Beatrix," I whispered, "Thomas is standing on the porch. I whispered, "Thomas is standing on the porch. He's looking directly at me.""
"Do not approach him.""
"I wasn't planning to.""
"Good. I'm sending you the dissolution He's looking directly at me.""
"Do not approach him.""
"I wasn't planning to.""
"Good. I'm sending you the dissolution records. Don't open any links or attachments from unfamiliar records.
Don't open any links or attachments from unfamiliar senders, and don't respond to that anonymous message. We need to preserve everything exactly as it arrived.""
I senders, and don't respond to that anonymous message. We need to preserve everything exactly as it arrived.""
I started the engine.
"What if Thomas knows I'm investigating?""
"He almost certainly knows something. started the engine.
"What if Thomas knows I'm investigating?""
"He almost certainly knows something. That doesn't mean we know what he's done.""
I watched Thomas lower his phone. He said That doesn't mean we know what he's done.""
I watched Thomas lower his phone. He said something to a woman standing behind him, then disappeared through the front door.
"Beatrix, he handled the something to a woman standing behind him, then disappeared through the front door.
"Beatrix, he handled the dissolution of Vale Meridian. He was the family's attorney. Why would he have been representing me?""
"That dissolution of Vale Meridian. He was the family's attorney. Why would he have been representing me?""
"That is precisely what we're going to establish. Did you personally instruct him to handle the dissolution?""
"No. is precisely what we're going to establish. Did you personally instruct him to handle the dissolution?""
"No. I thought my accountant had arranged everything.""
"Do you have the original paperwork I thought my accountant had arranged everything.""
"Do you have the original paperwork?""
"I'll look.""
"Don't search your computer while you're driving. Come to?""
"I'll look.""
"Don't search your computer while you're driving. Come to my office. I'll have the records ready.""
I pulled away from the estate.
For the entire drive, I kept my office. I'll have the records ready.""
I pulled away from the estate.
For the entire drive, I kept thinking about the smile on Thomas's face.
He had drafted contracts for my thinking about the smile on Thomas's face.
He had drafted contracts for my company. He had advised me on negotiations. He had attended my wedding and toasted my marriage. When Roland company.
He had advised me on negotiations. He had attended my wedding and toasted my marriage. When Roland and I separated, Thomas had told me that he could ensure the settlement was handled and I separated, Thomas had told me that he could ensure the settlement was handled professionally.
I'd trusted him because I'd trusted Roland.
That was the pattern I could no longer ignore.
Every professionally.
I'd trusted him because I'd trusted Roland.
That was the pattern I could no longer ignore.
Every time I had surrendered a little control, someone had assured me they were protecting my time I had surrendered a little control, someone had assured me they were protecting my interests.
And every time, the person offering protection had been standing on the other side of the table.
Be interests.
And every time, the person offering protection had been standing on the other side of the table.
Beatrix had spread the relevant documents across her conference table by the time I arrived.
She'd also brought inatrix had spread the relevant documents across her conference table by the time I arrived.
She'd also brought in Daniel Price, the forensic accountant, and a document examiner named Helen Shaw.
Helen Daniel Price, the forensic accountant, and a document examiner named Helen Shaw.
Helen was a compact woman with silver-framed glasses and a habit of studying a was a compact woman with silver-framed glasses and a habit of studying a page before she looked at the person holding it.
She slid a copy of the declaration toward page before she looked at the person holding it.
She slid a copy of the declaration toward me.
"Before we begin, I need to make one thing clear," she said.
"I can identify similarities and inconsistencies in me.
"Before we begin, I need to make one thing clear," she said.
"I can identify similarities and inconsistencies in the signatures. I cannot determine who physically applied a signature without sufficient the signatures. I cannot determine who physically applied a signature without sufficient evidence, and I won't make a definitive finding until I've examined the original.""
"Understood.""
She pointed to the signature at evidence, and I won't make a definitive finding until I've examined the original.""
"Understood.""
She pointed to the signature at the bottom of the declaration.
"This appears to reproduce characteristics from your older signature. The sl the bottom of the declaration.
"This appears to reproduce characteristics from your older signature. The slant is similar. So are the proportions of the capital letters.
However, there are irregularant is similar. So are the proportions of the capital letters. However, there are irregularities in the connecting strokes.""
"Meaning?""
"It may have been copied from another document. Butities in the connecting strokes.""
"Meaning?""
"It may have been copied from another document. But I need the original declaration and the source documents to assess that properly.""
Beatrix placed a second sheet I need the original declaration and the source documents to assess that properly.""
Beatrix placed a second sheet beside it.
"This is the signature from the consulting agreement you executed beside it.
"This is the signature from the consulting agreement you executed four years ago.""
Helen compared the two.
"That will be useful for the examination.""
I looked at the declaration.
My name four years ago.""
Helen compared the two.
"That will be useful for the examination.""
I looked at the declaration.
My name sat beneath Roland's, neat and familiar, authorizing a statement I had never seen.
It sat beneath Roland's, neat and familiar, authorizing a statement I had never seen.
It was a peculiar kind of violation. Someone hadn't simply taken my money or lied about my marriage.
They had borrowed my identity to was a peculiar kind of violation. Someone hadn't simply taken my money or lied about my marriage.
They had borrowed my identity to make their own deception look respectable.
"Let's talk about Vale Meridian," Beatrix said.
Daniel opened a file on his laptop.
"The company make their own deception look respectable.
"Let's talk about Vale Meridian," Beatrix said.
Daniel opened a file on his laptop.
"The company was dissolved six years ago. The public filing is genuine. But the records show that a similarly was dissolved six years ago.
The public filing is genuine. But the records show that a similarly named entity was incorporated three years later.""
"By whom?""
"The incorporation documents identify a corporate named entity was incorporated three years later.""
"By whom?""
"The incorporation documents identify a corporate services provider as the organizer. The beneficial ownership information is incomplete in the records we've obtained.""
"Can services provider as the organizer. The beneficial ownership information is incomplete in the records we've obtained.""
"Can you identify the bank account?""
"We have a partial account number and several transaction references. We don't have the bank you identify the bank account?""
"We have a partial account number and several transaction references. We don't have the bank's complete records yet.""
He turned the screen toward me.
"Northbridge transferred money into the account's complete records yet.""
He turned the screen toward me.
"Northbridge transferred money into the account over a period of eight months. Those funds were then distributed among several entities. One over a period of eight months. Those funds were then distributed among several entities.
One payment went to a property company. Another went to a law firm. A third was described as a consulting fee payment went to a property company.
Another went to a law firm. A third was described as a consulting fee.""
"Which law firm?""
Daniel hesitated.
"V.""
"Which law firm?""
Daniel hesitated.
"Vane Legal.""
I stared at the screen.
Thomas's firm.
"How much?""
"Approximately $240ane Legal.""
I stared at the screen.
Thomas's firm.
"How much?""
"Approximately $240,000 in total payments to that firm, though we haven't established whether every payment was connected to this arrangement.""
Beatrix folded her arms.
"We need to be,000 in total payments to that firm, though we haven't established whether every payment was connected to this arrangement.""
Beatrix folded her arms.
"We need to be careful. The transactions raise serious questions, but the records don't yet prove careful. The transactions raise serious questions, but the records don't yet prove that Thomas knowingly participated in a scheme.
He may have been paid for legitimate services that Thomas knowingly participated in a scheme. He may have been paid for legitimate services. We need the invoices and engagement letters.""
I felt a laugh rise. We need the invoices and engagement letters.""
I felt a laugh rise in my throat and forced it down.
"Of course. Another person who might have been in my throat and forced it down.
"Of course. Another person who might have been innocently paid a quarter of a million dollars through a company created in my name.""
Daniel didn't smile innocently paid a quarter of a million dollars through a company created in my name.""
Daniel didn't smile.
"That's why we're tracing the transactions.""
Helen looked up from the declaration.
"There's another issue.
"That's why we're tracing the transactions.""
Helen looked up from the declaration.
"There's another issue. The document identifies you as a witness to the paternity acknowledgment.""
. The document identifies you as a witness to the paternity acknowledgment.""
I went cold.
"I wasn't there.""
"That is what we need to establish. Do you remember signing any document related to RolandI went cold.
"I wasn't there.""
"That is what we need to establish. Do you remember signing any document related to Roland's medical history or Camille's pregnancy?""
"Never.""
"Did you sign any blank's medical history or Camille's pregnancy?""
"Never.""
"Did you sign any blank pages during the divorce?""
"No.""
"Did you provide a signature specimen to Thomas pages during the divorce?""
"No.""
"Did you provide a signature specimen to Thomas's office?""
I searched my memory.
"Several years ago, when I helped review contracts, his office had copies of my signature on file. They received's office?""
I searched my memory.
"Several years ago, when I helped review contracts, his office had copies of my signature on file. They received signed agreements from my company.""
"Then those documents may be relevant as comparison signed agreements from my company.""
"Then those documents may be relevant as comparison samples.""
Beatrix made a note.
"We'll preserve the originals and establish how each copy was obtained.""
I samples.""
Beatrix made a note.
"We'll preserve the originals and establish how each copy was obtained.""
I sat back.
For years, I'd believed my business records were proof of my independence. Now they seemed to be sat back.
For years, I'd believed my business records were proof of my independence. Now they seemed to be a collection of doors I'd left unlocked.
"Why would Thomas do a collection of doors I'd left unlocked.
"Why would Thomas do this?"" I asked.
No one answered immediately.
Finally, Daniel said, "There are several possibilities. He may have known about this?"" I asked.
No one answered immediately.
Finally, Daniel said, "There are several possibilities. He may have known about the transactions. He may have processed documents without understanding their purpose. Or someone may have used his firm's records without his authorization.
We need evidence before choosing the transactions. He may have processed documents without understanding their purpose. Or someone may have used his firm's records without his authorization. We need evidence before choosing among them.""
I nodded, though my stomach remained tight.
Then Beatrix placed among them.""
I nodded, though my stomach remained tight.
Then Beatrix placed another document in front of me.
It was a letter dated three months before my divorce.
The another document in front of me.
It was a letter dated three months before my divorce.
The heading read: Confidential Memorandum Regarding Family Continuity Arrangements.
The author heading read: Confidential Memorandum Regarding Family Continuity Arrangements.
The author was Thomas Vane.
The recipient was Margaret Mercer.
I read the first paragraph.
Then I read was Thomas Vane.
The recipient was Margaret Mercer.
I read the first paragraph.
Then I read it again.
The letter referred to a potential future heir, a proposed trust structure, and the need to separate certain business assets from any it again.
The letter referred to a potential future heir, a proposed trust structure, and the need to separate certain business assets from any claims arising from marital dissolution.
My fingers went numb.
"Beatrix, what does this mean?""
claims arising from marital dissolution.
My fingers went numb.
"Beatrix, what does this mean?""
"It means Thomas and Margaret were discussing a trust structure before your divorce was finalized. It does"It means Thomas and Margaret were discussing a trust structure before your divorce was finalized. It does not, by itself, establish that they intended to conceal assets or misuse your signature.""
I turned to the second page.
A not, by itself, establish that they intended to conceal assets or misuse your signature.""
I turned to the second page.
A sentence had been underlined in the copy.
*Any declaration involving the child's anticipated sentence had been underlined in the copy.
Any declaration involving the child's anticipated inheritance must be executed before the family announcement and supported by verified documentation.
Below inheritance must be executed before the family announcement and supported by verified documentation.*
Below it, another line read:
*The former consultant's participation should be documented to preserve continuity with it, another line read:
The former consultant's participation should be documented to preserve continuity with the original contract structure.
I stared at the words.
The former consultant.
Me.
They had discussed my participation without the original contract structure.*
I stared at the words.
The former consultant.
Me.
They had discussed my participation without asking me.
"Did they know Roland couldn't father a child?"" I asked.
Beatrix shook her head.
"We don't have evidence establishing that either asking me.
"Did they know Roland couldn't father a child?"" I asked.
Beatrix shook her head.
"We don't have evidence establishing that either way.""
"Then why was a declaration of paternity necessary?""
"That's one way.""
"Then why was a declaration of paternity necessary?""
"That's one of the questions we need answered.""
Daniel leaned forward.
"The important thing is that the trust of the questions we need answered.""
Daniel leaned forward.
"The important thing is that the trust planning began before the public announcement and before the shower. That gives us a timeline. We should compare the dates planning began before the public announcement and before the shower.
That gives us a timeline. We should compare the dates against the Northbridge transfers, the divorce disclosures, and the account activity.""
I looked down at the memorandum.
There was something else in the final paragraph.
A handwritten note in the margin.
* against the Northbridge transfers, the divorce disclosures, and the account activity.""
I looked down at the memorandum.
There was something else in the final paragraph.
A handwritten note in the margin.
If Eleanor objects, remind her that her consulting fees remainIf Eleanor objects, remind her that her consulting fees remain subject to reconciliation.
I recognized the handwriting.
Roland's.
He subject to reconciliation.*
I recognized the handwriting.
Roland's.
He had used the same sharp, forward had used the same sharp, forward-slanting script to leave notes on grocery lists and birthday cards.
I could almost hear him saying it.
Don't make this difficult, Ellie.
I placed-slanting script to leave notes on grocery lists and birthday cards.
I could almost hear him saying it.
Don't make this difficult, Ellie.
I placed the page on the table.
"He was going to use money he owed me to force me into cooperating.""
Beatrix didn't disagree.
"That is one possible the page on the table.
"He was going to use money he owed me to force me into cooperating.""
Beatrix didn't disagree.
"That is one possible interpretation. We'll need the underlying fee records and communications to establish the context.""
I looked at her.
"Everything interpretation. We'll need the underlying fee records and communications to establish the context.""
I looked at her.
"Everything has context when it happens to them. When it happened to me, I has context when it happens to them. When it happened to me, I was just difficult.""
Her expression softened.
"I know.""
For the first time that day, I allowed myself was just difficult.""
Her expression softened.
"I know.""
For the first time that day, I allowed myself to lean back and close my eyes.
I was tired of being told to wait for evidence while to lean back and close my eyes.
I was tired of being told to wait for evidence while the people who had hurt me continued living inside the story they'd created.
But I knew Beatrix was right.
The truth would not become more the people who had hurt me continued living inside the story they'd created.
But I knew Beatrix was right.
The truth would not become more powerful because I shouted it.
It would become more powerful when they could no longer deny it.
At six that evening, I returned powerful because I shouted it.
It would become more powerful when they could no longer deny it.
At six that evening, I returned home and found a message from Camille.
*Please meet me. Alone. I need to tell you something about home and found a message from Camille.
Please meet me. Alone. I need to tell you something about the baby.
I stared at the screen.
For a full minute, I considered deleting it.
Then another message arrived the baby.*
I stared at the screen.
For a full minute, I considered deleting it.
Then another message arrived.
*I know you don't owe me anything. But there's something Roland told me about your divorce,.
I know you don't owe me anything. But there's something Roland told me about your divorce, and I think you deserve to know.
I forwarded both messages to Beatrix.
Her and I think you deserve to know.*
I forwarded both messages to Beatrix.
Her reply was immediate.
*Don't meet her alone. If you choose to speak, use a public place reply was immediate.
Don't meet her alone. If you choose to speak, use a public place and let someone know where you are. Do not accept documents without preserving their origin.
and let someone know where you are. Do not accept documents without preserving their origin.*
I agreed to meet Camille the following afternoon at a café near my office, with Beatrix waiting in aI agreed to meet Camille the following afternoon at a café near my office, with Beatrix waiting in a nearby building.
Camille arrived twenty minutes late.
She wore sunglasses despite the cloudy weather and carried a large nearby building.
Camille arrived twenty minutes late.
She wore sunglasses despite the cloudy weather and carried a large handbag that looked expensive enough to contain several months of rent.
She sat across from me without ordering anything handbag that looked expensive enough to contain several months of rent.
She sat across from me without ordering anything.
"I didn't know about the diagnosis," she said immediately.
I watched her.
"Hello to.
"I didn't know about the diagnosis," she said immediately.
I watched her.
"Hello to you, too.""
She flinched.
"I deserve that.""
"You deserve considerably more than that.""
you, too.""
She flinched.
"I deserve that.""
"You deserve considerably more than that.""
She took off her sunglasses. Her eyes were swollen.
"Roland told me the doctors had clearedShe took off her sunglasses. Her eyes were swollen.
"Roland told me the doctors had cleared him. He said the treatments you went through hadn't worked because you were him. He said the treatments you went through hadn't worked because you were too stressed.""
I felt the familiar coldness spread through my chest.
"And too stressed.""
I felt the familiar coldness spread through my chest.
"And you believed him?""
"I wanted to.""
"That's different.""
She looked you believed him?""
"I wanted to.""
"That's different.""
She looked down at her hands.
"Yes.""
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then Camille opened her handbag and removed down at her hands.
"Yes.""
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then Camille opened her handbag and removed a folded document.
"Roland gave me this six months ago. He said it was part of the trust paperwork a folded document.
"Roland gave me this six months ago. He said it was part of the trust paperwork. I signed it without reading everything.""
I didn't touch it.
"What is it?""
"A declaration confirming. I signed it without reading everything.""
I didn't touch it.
"What is it?""
"A declaration confirming that he was the child's biological father.""
I looked at her.
"Why that he was the child's biological father.""
I looked at her.
"Why are you showing me this?""
"Because after the shower, I went home and searched the documents he kept in his office. I are you showing me this?""
"Because after the shower, I went home and searched the documents he kept in his office. I found a second copy. It says the declaration was signed before a notary, but the date is wrong found a second copy. It says the declaration was signed before a notary, but the date is wrong.""
"How wrong?""
"Three weeks before I told Roland I was pregnant.""
I sat very.""
"How wrong?""
"Three weeks before I told Roland I was pregnant.""
I sat very still.
Camille pressed her fingers to her mouth.
"I thought it was just a mistake. I thought maybe still.
Camille pressed her fingers to her mouth.
"I thought it was just a mistake. I thought maybe the lawyers had prepared the documents early. But then I found something else.""
She pulled a second sheet from her bag.
the lawyers had prepared the documents early. But then I found something else.""
She pulled a second sheet from her bag.
It was a printed email.
The sender was Roland.
The recipient was Thomas Vane.
The subjectIt was a printed email.
The sender was Roland.
The recipient was Thomas Vane.
The subject line read: Continuity Declaration — Final Version.
I didn't reach for it.
" line read: Continuity Declaration — Final Version.
I didn't reach for it.
"How did you obtain this?""
"From Roland's office computer. I printed it because I was afraidHow did you obtain this?""
"From Roland's office computer. I printed it because I was afraid he'd delete it.""
"Did you access the account with permission?""
She he'd delete it.""
"Did you access the account with permission?""
She looked away.
"No.""
"Then tell Beatrix exactly how you obtained it before looked away.
"No.""
"Then tell Beatrix exactly how you obtained it before anyone relies on it. We need to handle it properly.""
Camille nodded quickly.
"I will.""
I looked anyone relies on it. We need to handle it properly.""
Camille nodded quickly.
"I will.""
I looked at the email.
A line near the bottom caught my attention.
*Once the declaration is filed, the issue of biological paternity should not interfere at the email.
A line near the bottom caught my attention.
Once the declaration is filed, the issue of biological paternity should not interfere with the proposed trust or the family announcement.
I read it twice.
"Did with the proposed trust or the family announcement.*
I read it twice.
"Did you know about the trust before you became pregnant?""
"No. Roland told me it was something he'd arranged for our son after I announced you know about the trust before you became pregnant?""
"No. Roland told me it was something he'd arranged for our son after I announced the pregnancy.""
"Then why did you sign the declaration?""
"Because he said it was routine. He told me the company needed the pregnancy.""
"Then why did you sign the declaration?""
"Because he said it was routine. He told me the company needed proof that the baby was a beneficiary.""
She began to cry.
I didn't reach proof that the baby was a beneficiary.""
She began to cry.
I didn't reach for her hand.
Instead, I asked the question that mattered.
"Camille, did you know the money for the nursery came from for her hand.
Instead, I asked the question that mattered.
"Camille, did you know the money for the nursery came from Northbridge?""
She shook her head.
"No.""
"Did you know a company bearing my old business name had Northbridge?""
She shook her head.
"No.""
"Did you know a company bearing my old business name had received money from Northbridge?""
Her face changed.
"Vale Meridian?""
I stared at her.
"You know about received money from Northbridge?""
Her face changed.
"Vale Meridian?""
I stared at her.
"You know about it?""
She swallowed.
"Roland told me you were still receiving consulting payments after it?""
She swallowed.
"Roland told me you were still receiving consulting payments after the divorce. He said the money was yours and that you had agreed to help with the the divorce. He said the money was yours and that you had agreed to help with the trust.""
"Did you believe him?""
"Yes.""
"Why?""
"Because he showed me a document with your signature.""
The café trust.""
"Did you believe him?""
"Yes.""
"Why?""
"Because he showed me a document with your signature.""
The café seemed to go silent around us.
"What document?""
"A letter confirming your involvement in the trust. He said you were helping him because you wanted to preserve your relationship with the family.""
I laughed, seemed to go silent around us.
"What document?""
"A letter confirming your involvement in the trust. He said you were helping him because you wanted to preserve your relationship with the family.""
I laughed, but there was no humor in it.
"My relationship with the family ended when he but there was no humor in it.
"My relationship with the family ended when he divorced me.""
"I know that now.""
"No, Camille. You knew it then divorced me.""
"I know that now.""
"No, Camille. You knew it then. You just preferred the version of the story where I was secretly helping you build your perfect. You just preferred the version of the story where I was secretly helping you build your perfect life.""
She lowered her head.
"I thought you were being paid.""
"By whom?""
"Northbridge, I suppose.""
"And you never questioned why a company I no life.""
She lowered her head.
"I thought you were being paid.""
"By whom?""
"Northbridge, I suppose.""
"And you never questioned why a company I no longer worked for was paying for your nursery?""
She pressed her palms against her eyes.
"No.""
I looked longer worked for was paying for your nursery?""
She pressed her palms against her eyes.
"No.""
I looked out the window.
People passed beneath umbrellas, hurrying toward their cars. A bus out the window.
People passed beneath umbrellas, hurrying toward their cars. A bus pulled away from the curb. Somewhere behind me, a barista called out an pulled away from the curb. Somewhere behind me, a barista called out an order.
The world continued as though nothing had changed.
Finally, Camille whispered, "I didn't know Roland order.
The world continued as though nothing had changed.
Finally, Camille whispered, "I didn't know Roland was using your name.""
I turned back to her.
"Then help us establish what was using your name.""
I turned back to her.
"Then help us establish what you did know. Give Beatrix every document you have. Don't sign anything else. And you did know.
Give Beatrix every document you have. Don't sign anything else. And don't let Roland convince you that protecting yourself means protecting him.""
She nodded.
As she gathered her papers, one slipped don't let Roland convince you that protecting yourself means protecting him.""
She nodded.
As she gathered her papers, one slipped from the folder and landed faceup on the table.
It was a bank transfer confirmation from the folder and landed faceup on the table.
It was a bank transfer confirmation.
The receiving account belonged to a company called Meridian Family Services.
The date was the.
The receiving account belonged to a company called Meridian Family Services.
The date was the day before my divorce settlement had been signed.
The amount was $480,000.
And the day before my divorce settlement had been signed.
The amount was $480,000.
And the reference field contained a phrase that made my blood run cold.
Eleanor Mercer — final reconciliation.
I picked up the page reference field contained a phrase that made my blood run cold.
Eleanor Mercer — final reconciliation.
I picked up the page.
"Camille, what is this?""
She stared at it.
"I've never seen that before.
"Camille, what is this?""
She stared at it.
"I've never seen that before.""
I turned the paper over.
At the bottom, beneath the transaction details, was a handwritten instruction.""
I turned the paper over.
At the bottom, beneath the transaction details, was a handwritten instruction.
Release only after Thomas confirms execution.
I looked at her.
"Where did this come from?""
"I found it in Roland's desk.
Release only after Thomas confirms execution.
I looked at her.
"Where did this come from?""
"I found it in Roland's desk.""
I took a photograph of the page and sent it to Beatrix.
Then I asked.""
I took a photograph of the page and sent it to Beatrix.
Then I asked Camille one final question.
"Who is Meridian Family Services?""
She shook her head.
"I don't know.""
Camille one final question.
"Who is Meridian Family Services?""
She shook her head.
"I don't know.""
But as she reached for her handbag, I saw the corner of another document tucked inside.
But as she reached for her handbag, I saw the corner of another document tucked inside.
A document bearing Margaret Mercer's name.
And beneath it, in smaller print, the name ofA document bearing Margaret Mercer's name.
And beneath it, in smaller print, the name of the person who had authorized the transfer.
*Thomas Vane.*
May you like
the person who had authorized the transfer.
*Thomas Vane.*
