Chapter 6 - The Signature
The forged document was nearly perfect.
Nearly.
Rachel's attorney placed it on the desk.
"The signature looks convincing."
"But it's not mine."
"I know."
Rachel studied the page.
It transferred a significant portion of marital assets to an offshore company.
The company had one director.
Vanessa Mercer.
Rachel looked at Daniel.
"She did this."
Daniel shook his head.
"We don't know."
"You saw the company."
"I saw it."
"You saw her name."
"Yes."
"How much more proof do you need?"
Daniel looked at the attorney.
"What happens if this gets accepted?"
"The court could freeze the disputed assets while the investigation continues."
Rachel's stomach dropped.
"How long?"
"Months."
Daniel stood.
"We don't have months."
The attorney looked at him.
"Why?"
Daniel didn't answer.
Rachel noticed.
"Daniel."
He finally spoke.
"Because there are other accounts."
"What accounts?"
"Accounts Rachel doesn't know about."
Her attorney stared.
Rachel slowly turned toward him.
"How many?"
"Three."
"Whose names?"
"Mine."
Rachel's heart sank.
"Why?"
"Because I was trying to isolate the money."
"How much?"
Daniel didn't answer.
"How much?"
"About six million."
Silence.
Rachel stared at him.
Six million dollars.
Her husband had six million dollars hidden from her.
"You lied to me."
"I was trying to protect you."
"You keep saying that."
"I know."
Rachel stood.
"Where did the money come from?"
"Business."
"Which business?"
Daniel hesitated.
"Your father's company."
Rachel froze.
"My father had a company?"
Daniel nodded.
"Mercer Holdings acquired it before you and I met."
Rachel remembered her father.
A modest office.
Old books.
A single accountant.
Nothing about six million dollars.
"You told me my father left almost nothing."
"I believed that."
"You knew."
"I found out recently."
Rachel turned away.
Her attorney watched them silently.
Then he spoke.
"There is something else."
Rachel looked back.
"What?"
"The forged agreement was submitted using a digital certificate."
Daniel frowned.
"Whose?"
The attorney placed another document on the desk.
"Your mother's."
Daniel went still.
Patricia Mercer.
Rachel felt a chill.
"My mother-in-law?"
The attorney nodded.
"Someone used Patricia Mercer's credentials to authorize the filing."
Daniel sat down.
Rachel whispered.
"Then Vanessa isn't doing this alone."
Nobody answered.
Her phone buzzed.
A text message from an unknown number.
Stop asking questions about your father.
Rachel showed Daniel.
Another message arrived.
The next thing you lose won't be money.
Daniel stood so quickly the chair fell backward.
"We're leaving."
Rachel stared at him.
"Where?"
"To my mother's."
Rachel frowned.
"Why?"
May you like
Daniel looked terrified.
"Because if someone used her credentials, she may already be in danger."
