Chapter 5 - The Invitation with Another Woman’s Name
Arthur left the house at six the next morning.
He told Charles he was meeting the funeral director.
Instead, he drove to a hotel thirty miles away.
Vanessa Cole waited inside a private dining room, wearing a cream coat and an expensive diamond necklace purchased with money taken from Rachel’s education account.
“You look terrible,” Vanessa said.
“My wife died four days ago.”
“You told me you felt nothing.”
“I feel inconvenienced.”
Vanessa poured coffee.
“Did you find the envelope?”
“No.”
“You said Emily had evidence.”
“She probably destroyed it before the accident.”
“Probably is not enough.”
Arthur leaned across the table.
“I searched the bedroom, her office, her car, and her father’s house. There is nothing.”
“What about the oldest girl?”
Arthur paused.
“Lucy knows something.”
Vanessa’s expression tightened.
“Then delay the placement.”
“No. The sooner the girls are separated, the less chance they have to coordinate their stories.”
“They are children, Arthur.”
“Lucy is not stupid.”
Vanessa opened her handbag and removed two airline tickets.
Their flight to Rome departed the evening after the funeral.
She also placed a wedding invitation on the table.
Arthur frowned.
“Why are you carrying that?”
“The printer sent the final samples.”
“Destroy them.”
“They are only samples.”
“If anyone sees a wedding date three weeks after Emily’s funeral, questions will be asked.”
Vanessa rolled her eyes.
“The insurance payment will be approved before then.”
“Not if Charles challenges the estate.”
“You said the documents were signed.”
“They are.”
“Then stop worrying.”
Arthur looked toward the door.
He had spent months preparing his exit.
He had transferred money in small amounts so Emily would not notice. He had opened accounts under a consulting company and used Vanessa’s address. He had forged documents giving himself control of the girls’ trusts.
The final step had been convincing Emily to sign an insurance amendment.
She refused.
So Arthur copied her signature.
When Emily discovered the affair and threatened divorce, Arthur accelerated the plan. He arranged foster placement forms, intending to claim that Emily had approved them before her death.
Her accident had been unexpected, but it had made everything easier.
At least, that was what he had believed.
Vanessa slid the invitation back into her handbag.
“When this is finished, I do not want to hear about Emily or those children again.”
“You won’t.”
“And Charles?”
“He has no power.”
Arthur returned home before nine.
Lucy was waiting near the front window.
She watched Vanessa’s car drive away after dropping him at the corner.
Arthur entered carrying the folder of forged placement forms.
“Where were you?” Lucy asked.
“The funeral home.”
“Grandpa called them. They said you weren’t there.”
Arthur stopped removing his coat.
“You should not listen to adult conversations.”
“Who was driving the silver car?”
“No one you know.”
Lucy looked at the folder.
“Are those the papers Mom signed?”
“Yes.”
“She didn’t sign them.”
Arthur stepped toward her.
“You do not know what your mother did.”
“I know she loved us.”
Arthur’s voice dropped.
“Love does not pay bills. Love does not rebuild a life.”
Lucy backed away.
Arthur noticed the framed photograph on the table behind her.
He reached for it.
Lucy grabbed it first.
“What is so important about that picture?”
“It’s Mom.”
“There are other pictures.”
“Not like this one.”
For several seconds, they stared at each other.
Then Charles entered from the kitchen.
“Is there a problem?”
Arthur released the frame.
“No problem at all.”
May you like
But Lucy saw certainty in his eyes.
He knew the photograph was hiding something.
