Chapter 4 - The Signature
Marcus arrived at Emma's apartment before midnight.
He carried a leather folder.
Emma opened the door.
"Show me."
Marcus entered.
"You should sit."
"No."
He placed the folder on the table.
"We compared the document you signed with the version filed with the bank."
"And?"
"They're different."
Emma stared at him.
"How different?"
"The version you signed authorized a limited guarantee."
"And the bank version?"
"Unlimited."
Emma's expression hardened.
"Someone altered the filing."
Marcus nodded.
"That's what it looks like."
"Who had access?"
"Your husband."
Emma looked toward the window.
"What about Vivian?"
"We don't know yet."
Marcus opened another folder.
"There's more."
Emma sat.
He placed several documents in front of her.
Property transfers.
Loan amendments.
Corporate resolutions.
All connected to the Mercer family.
Emma read them one by one.
Then she found something that made her stop.
A company name.
Mercer Holdings Management.
She recognized it.
"That's Vivian's private company."
"Yes."
"Why is my consulting firm listed as an interested party?"
Marcus looked at her.
"That's what we're trying to determine."
Emma leaned back.
She remembered Daniel asking questions over the years.
Questions about her clients.
Her contracts.
Her work.
Questions she had thought were harmless.
Now they sounded different.
"How long have they been using my name?"
"We don't know."
"Find out."
Marcus nodded.
"There's another issue."
"What?"
"The debt wasn't used only for the estate."
Emma looked at him.
"Where did the money go?"
Marcus opened his laptop.
"That's still being traced."
"How long?"
"Maybe twenty-four hours."
Emma stood.
"No."
Marcus looked up.
"Emma?"
"I don't have twenty-four hours."
She picked up her phone.
"Neither do they."
She called a number.
A woman answered.
"Emma?"
"It's me."
"What's happening?"
Emma looked at the documents.
"Activate the emergency restructuring team."
There was silence.
"You mean tonight?"
"Tonight."
"Are you sure?"
Emma looked at her own signature.
"Yes."
She ended the call.
Marcus studied her.
"What are you planning?"
Emma looked toward the Mercer estate visible in the distance.
"I'm not planning."
May you like
She closed the folder.
"I'm investigating."
