Chapter 25 - The Man Behind the Petition
Martin was detained before reaching the interview room.
Inside his briefcase, officers found a blank visitor badge, financial documents from Andrew’s trust, and a handwritten statement for Lorraine to sign.
The statement claimed she had invented Leah, Lillian, and the altered maternity records because of untreated delusions.
It also claimed Martin had never represented her.
“He wanted to erase the entire story,” Bennett said.
Martin insisted the documents were privileged legal materials.
But the forged credentials allowed investigators to obtain a warrant for his office and home.
The search uncovered the original guardianship petition prepared for Lorraine.
Emails showed that Martin encouraged her to document Megan’s alleged instability. He provided language designed to make the accusations sound credible.
Lorraine had created the photographs and anonymous messages herself, but Martin had helped shape her legal plan.
His motive was hidden inside Andrew’s trust.
If Grace had been placed under Lorraine’s guardianship, Martin intended to become the court-appointed financial administrator.
He could then continue concealing the trust’s missing money.
“What about Leah?” Jake asked.
“Martin needed her either discredited or under his control,” Bennett replied. “Grace’s DNA could be used to validate or challenge Leah’s relationship to Andrew.”
“And Lillian?”
Bennett did not answer immediately.
Investigators found a recurring payment in Martin’s accounts. Every month, $4,000 was sent to a woman named Elise Rowan.
Public records listed Elise as sixty-one years old.
The woman who gave birth to Lillian would be approximately that age.
Detective Bennett traveled to Elise’s registered address.
The apartment was empty.
On the wall were photographs of Jake, Leah, Megan, and Grace.
One photograph showed Lorraine entering the prison.
Another showed Martin outside his office.
Elise had been watching everyone.
In the center of the wall was a handwritten chart connecting three children:
Lillian.
Jake.
Leah.
A red circle had been drawn around Grace’s name.
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Beneath it, Elise had written:
THE ONLY ONE THEY CAN’T REPLACE.
