Chapter 7 - The Child in the Trust
Daniel stared at Rebecca.
"The child?"
Rebecca's expression revealed she already understood how impossible it sounded.
"Not here."
Officer Brennan stepped closer.
"Actually, here is fine."
Rebecca looked at him.
"This concerns privileged estate information."
"It may also concern theft, fraud, and potential endangerment."
Daniel spoke before either could continue.
"What child?"
Rebecca sighed.
"Your grandfather created the Carter Family Trust in 1989."
"I know there was a trust."
"It was designed to distribute assets through blood descendants."
Daniel nodded slowly.
"Your father was a beneficiary."
"Correct."
"And me?"
"Eventually."
"What do you mean eventually?"
Rebecca glanced at Brennan.
Then continued.
"Thomas's portion was structured so that his descendants would receive control in stages. Some when he died. More when his children turned forty. Additional portions for grandchildren."
Daniel frowned.
"I received nothing when Dad died."
"Because Evelyn filed documents claiming Thomas had reassigned control to her."
"Could he do that?"
"Temporarily."
"Did he?"
"No."
Daniel's jaw tightened.
"Then she forged it."
"We believe she manipulated a series of amendments."
"Why wasn't she arrested?"
"Thomas discovered the problem late."
"How late?"
"Seven months before his death."
Daniel looked at the photograph.
"That's why he met you."
"Yes."
"Why didn't he tell me?"
"He wanted proof first."
Rebecca's expression softened.
"Your father also believed confronting Evelyn directly would cause her to destroy documents."
Brennan asked, "What birth records?"
Rebecca turned toward Daniel.
"Thomas suspected Evelyn had used another child to establish eligibility under one branch of the trust."
Daniel stared.
"I don't understand."
"Neither did Thomas initially."
Rebecca hesitated.
"Daniel, do you have a sister?"
"No."
"Brother?"
"No."
"Are you certain?"
Daniel almost laughed.
"Yes."
Rebecca didn't.
"According to documents filed when you were six years old, Thomas and Evelyn Carter had two children."
The air seemed to leave the storage corridor.
"That's impossible."
"The filing lists a daughter."
"No."
"Her name was Anna Carter."
Daniel shook his head.
"No."
"Born three years before you."
"No."
"Died at seven months."
Daniel stared at her.
"My parents never had another child."
Rebecca said nothing.
Daniel's thoughts raced.
Family photographs.
Christmas.
Grandparents.
Stories.
No Anna.
Never.
"What does this have to do with inheritance?"
"Anna's existence allowed Evelyn to redirect certain survivorship provisions."
"You said she died."
"According to the record."
"Then how could she inherit?"
"Because the trust language was unusually specific. Some interests vested at birth."
Daniel rubbed both hands over his face.
"This is insane."
Rebecca nodded.
"Thomas thought so too."
"Was Anna real?"
"That's the question."
Brennan asked, "You said original birth records are in a deposit box."
"Possible originals."
"Possible?"
"Thomas obtained them from a retired records clerk."
Daniel stared.
"And the key opens that box?"
"Yes."
"Which bank?"
Rebecca gave him the name.
Atlantic Union Bank.
Brennan frowned.
"We'll go in the morning."
Rebecca shook her head.
"Not without a court order."
"Why?"
"The box isn't in Daniel's name."
Daniel looked at her.
"Whose?"
"Anna Carter's."
Silence.
Daniel laughed once, but there was nothing humorous in it.
"You're telling me my dead sister has a bank deposit box."
"I'm telling you someone has kept paying the annual fee on a box registered to that name."
"Who?"
May you like
Rebecca looked at him.
"Your mother."
