Someone Else Held the Pen
Chapter 06 - Someone Else Held the Pen
Richard joined Eleanor and Daniel in the library.
He had contacted the family attorney and the bank.
What he learned made things worse.
The signatures had been notarized.
That meant someone else was involved.
A notary named Steven Cole.
Daniel knew the name immediately.
"He works for Madison's uncle."
Richard turned toward him.
"My brother?"
Victoria's brother, Charles Hale, operated a small private investment company.
For years, Charles had been the less successful sibling.
Richard built legitimate businesses.
Charles borrowed money.
Richard invested carefully.
Charles chased impossible returns.
Two years earlier, Richard had refused to rescue his brother from another failed venture.
Charles never forgave him.
Eleanor opened her purse again.
She removed a small notebook.
"I started writing everything down when people began telling me I was forgetting."
Every phone call.
Every missing check.
Every unusual conversation.
Every time Victoria visited.
One entry caught Richard's attention.
March 14.
Charles Hale visited Daniel at mansion. Victoria present.
Daniel stared at it.
"I remember that."
Madison had told Daniel they were discussing wedding finances.
Eleanor shook her head.
"They were in Thomas's office."
Daniel's father's office contained the family safe.
The original deed had been stored there.
Daniel stood so quickly the chair scraped the floor.
He ran upstairs.
Minutes later, he returned.
The safe was empty.
Daniel looked at his mother.
"I didn't take anything."
Eleanor believed him.
Richard closed his eyes.
Victoria had access to the mansion.
Charles had financial problems.
Daniel believed the property would soon belong to him.
And Eleanor had conveniently been portrayed as mentally unstable.
Richard whispered, "My God."
Then the library door opened.
Victoria stood there.
Her expression was no longer arrogant.
May you like
She looked terrified.
"Charles is coming."
