Chapter 5 - The Signature That Wasn't His)
Marcus examined the document the next morning.
"Good forgery."
Daniel stared at it.
"How good?"
"Good enough for someone who sees your signature every day."
"Claire."
"Possibly."
"Who else?"
"Your assistant. Attorney. Accountant."
Daniel shook his head.
"My attorney doesn't have access to the house."
"But Claire does."
Daniel looked through the cafe window.
Across the street, office workers hurried through morning traffic.
Everything outside looked normal.
His life did not.
Marcus tapped the document.
"This authorization would give your spouse control over several trust decisions if you were incapacitated."
"Incapacitated."
"Not dead."
Daniel looked at him.
Marcus nodded.
"That's important."
"What happens if I die?"
"Most assets go into Sophie's trust. Claire would receive some property depending on the final prenup."
"And if I'm alive but unable to act?"
"Depending on the documents, Claire could gain temporary authority."
Daniel's stomach turned.
"She told Sophie I'd be gone after the wedding."
"Maybe Sophie misunderstood."
"Do you believe that?"
"No."
Daniel looked down at Emily's letter.
"What happened to Emily?"
Marcus did not answer.
Daniel raised his eyes.
"You think this is connected."
"I think Emily discovered financial crimes tied to Victor Whitmore. Then she died. Now Victor's daughter is about to marry you, and forged legal papers are hidden inside the same room where Emily stored evidence."
Daniel's hands tightened into fists.
Marcus continued.
"But suspicion isn't proof."
"Then find proof."
"I'm trying."
"Faster."
Marcus studied him.
"The fastest way to ruin this investigation is to let Claire know you suspect her."
Daniel knew he was right.
"What do I do?"
"Keep planning the wedding."
Daniel almost laughed.
"You want me to stand at an altar with her?"
"I want whoever is behind this to think everything is working."
"And Sophie?"
Marcus leaned forward.
"That changes everything."
Daniel nodded.
His daughter came before evidence.
Before money.
Before justice.
He would never knowingly leave her in danger.
That afternoon, he made a decision.
He told Claire that Sophie would stay with his sister, Rachel, until the wedding.
Claire reacted immediately.
"Why?"
"Rachel wants time with her."
"For three weeks?"
"She lives ten minutes away."
Claire's voice sharpened.
"Sophie should be here."
Daniel watched her.
"Why?"
Claire blinked.
"Because we're becoming a family."
"We already are."
"Then why send her away?"
Daniel smiled.
"I'm not sending her away. She'll sleep at Rachel's. I'll see her every day."
Claire walked toward the window.
"This is because of the basement."
"No."
"The florist?"
"No."
"You don't trust me."
Daniel approached her.
"If I didn't trust you, would we still be getting married?"
Claire turned.
For a moment, Daniel saw calculation in her eyes.
Then she kissed him.
"Fine."
That night, Daniel packed Sophie's small suitcase.
Sophie seemed excited about sleeping at Aunt Rachel's.
Before leaving, she hugged Claire.
Claire held her tightly.
Too tightly.
"See you at the wedding, sweetheart."
Sophie pulled away.
Claire crouched.
"And you'll bring Mommy Claire her flowers, right?"
Daniel's heart stopped.
Sophie nodded.
Claire touched the child's nose gently.
"The special pink ones."
Daniel stepped closer.
"Sophie isn't carrying real flowers."
Claire looked up.
"Of course not."
Sophie suddenly spoke.
"Grandpa said real."
Daniel looked at her.
"What?"
Claire stood too quickly.
"Sophie."
The child looked confused.
Daniel crouched.
"What did Grandpa say?"
Sophie pointed toward Claire.
"Grandpa says flowers make Daddy choose."
Daniel's blood ran cold.
Claire laughed.
"Children say the strangest things."
Daniel stared at her.
"What does that mean?"
"I have no idea."
Sophie's lower lip trembled.
"Grandpa angry."
Daniel lifted his daughter.
"What was Grandpa angry about?"
Sophie buried her face against his neck.
"The picture."
Claire went completely still.
Daniel looked at her.
"What picture?"
Sophie whispered into his shoulder.
"Mommy picture."
Daniel turned toward Claire.
Claire's face changed.
Not fear.
Panic.
"Daniel, she's tired."
He ignored her.
"What Mommy picture, Sophie?"
The child lifted her head.
"Mommy Emily."
Daniel could hear his own heartbeat.
"Where did you see a picture of Mommy Emily?"
Sophie pointed toward the basement.
"In the phone."
Claire moved.
She reached for Sophie.
Daniel stepped backward.
"Don't."
Claire froze.
Daniel looked into her eyes.
"What phone?"
She said nothing.
He carried Sophie out of the house.
When he returned twenty minutes later, Claire was gone.
May you like
So was the black leather folder.
And the hidden room had been emptied.
