Chapter 13
I pulled a page from my purse—the printed program for the award ceremony—and placed it beside the document.
Richard noticed the comparison.
“You think it was forged?”
“I don’t know.”
The accusation sounded too large to say aloud.
He took the page without touching the signature.
“Your signature may have been copied from an earlier document.”
“Who had access?”
“Your attorneys. The trustee. Possibly Dominic’s counsel if they were involved in the restructuring.”
“Who represented me?”
Richard’s eyes narrowed as he examined the page.
“Meredith Shaw.”
The name struck a faint chord.
“Was she the attorney who handled our prenuptial agreement?”
“No. Your family attorney.”
“I never had a family attorney.”
“You did. She worked with your father’s estate and later with the trust.”
I shook my head.
“No one ever introduced me.”
Richard went still.
“What do you mean?”
“Dominic arranged all our legal matters after we married. He said Meredith had retired.”
Richard slowly set the document down.
“Meredith Shaw did not retire.”
“What happened to her?”
“She died two years ago.”
The room seemed to lose its warmth.
“When?”
“April.”
I thought of the date printed at the top of the acknowledgment.
April 18.
The same month.
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying this document may have been prepared around the time of her death.”
“By whom?”
“I don’t know.”
A shadow passed across Richard’s face, and for the first time that evening, he looked genuinely uncertain.
Margaret stepped closer.
“Richard.”
He did not answer her.
I turned the page over.
The back contained a handwritten note in blue ink.
Please confirm directly with Evelyn before filing. Do not rely on Mr. Vale’s office.
My pulse began to race.
“Who wrote this?”
Richard took the page.
He read it once, then again.
“Meredith.”
“You recognize her handwriting?”
“Yes.”
“Then she knew Dominic’s office was involved.”
“She may have been concerned about procedural matters.”
“Or she knew someone was trying to file this without my knowledge.”
Richard looked toward the ballroom doors.
“We need to speak with the foundation’s counsel tonight.”
“Why tonight?”
“Because the original documents may still be accessible before Monday.”
“What happens Monday?”
“A meeting with the trustees and the company’s outside auditors.”
“About Vale Development Group?”
“About the Wabash property and several related transfers.”
I stared at him.
“You were going to tell me at the board meeting?”
“I wanted you to understand the history first.”