Chapter 11
Her breathing changed.
“That’s impossible.”
“The company’s account is still open. You’re listed as the registered agent.”
“I remained the registered agent because the entity was never formally dissolved. But I have not authorized a transaction.”
“Was my mother listed as manager?”
“Yes.”
“And I’m listed as an additional authorized signer.”
Margaret was silent.
“Could that have happened legally?”
“No,” she said at once. “Not without documentation. Either someone filed a change using forged records, or the bank accepted an improper instruction.”
“Would there have been a signature card?”
“Yes.”
“Could you send me the formation documents and anything related to the company?”
“I can search my files tonight, but the original records are in my office.”
“I’ll come to you in the morning.”
“You should not handle this alone.”
“I’m not alone. I have counsel and an accountant.”
“That isn’t what I mean.”
Her words softened.
“Your mother would have wanted you to be careful.”
The mention of my mother made my throat tighten.
“I’m trying to be.”
“Then don’t confront Julian until you know what you’re dealing with.”
“I’m not planning to.”
“Good. And Nora?”
“Yes?”
“Whatever you discover, remember that Eleanor built safeguards for a reason. If your signature appears on something you didn’t sign, there will be a way to challenge it.”
I thanked her and ended the call.
For several seconds, I remained still.
My mother had always been precise. She labeled every file, kept copies of every agreement, and wrote notes in the margins of documents when she believed someone might someday need to understand her decisions. If she had created Vance Family Ventures and left it dormant, there would be a reason.
And if she had not authorized its use after her death, then someone had taken something that belonged to my family.
“Can we get the bank records tonight?” I asked Daniel.
“With a subpoena, eventually. We already have partial records from the acquisition review, but the bank’s compliance file wasn’t included.”
“Could Northstar request them?”
“Not directly. Northstar is a shareholder in Aurelia, not the account holder.”
Priya considered the situation. “We can preserve what we have and send a formal demand to Bell Advisory Group. But if the account is still active, we should notify the bank that the ownership may be disputed.”
“Will that freeze it?”
“Possibly. It may also alert whoever controls it.”
I thought of the account balance.