PART6

“I promise you we’ll discuss everything. But I want you to hear it from me after I’ve reviewed the documents.”

We arranged to meet at his office at two o’clock.

Before ending the call, I asked one final question.

“Daniel, did Martin know something about Colin?”

His answer was quiet.

“Your husband was very worried about him.”

Daniel’s office was on the second floor of an old brick building downtown.

He greeted me at the door and helped me carry Martin’s folder into his conference room.

For almost an hour, he reviewed everything.

He examined the trust documents, the loan agreement, the authorization bearing my forged signature, and the letters Martin had left behind.

Finally, he removed his glasses.

“Audrey, your husband was an extraordinarily careful man.”

“That’s what everyone says.”

“He loved your son. There is no question about that. But he also understood that loving someone doesn’t mean allowing them to make irresponsible decisions without consequences.”

I lowered my eyes.

“Did Martin know Colin was involved in the forged authorization?”

Daniel leaned back.

“He suspected that Colin had been involved in obtaining the document. However, he never wanted to make an accusation without evidence.”

“Who else could have done it?”

Daniel opened another folder.

“Kara.”

I looked at him.

“My daughter-in-law?”

“Martin discovered that someone had contacted the financial institution claiming to represent you. The request involved transferring $120,000 from an investment account into an account controlled by a company connected to Kara’s family.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“Why would she need that money?”

“According to the information Martin collected, her family had been experiencing financial difficulties. There were outstanding business obligations and debts.”

I felt sick.

“Are you saying Kara tried to take our money?”

“I’m saying that the documents indicate an unauthorized attempt was made. We still need to establish exactly who prepared and submitted them.”

I stared at the folder.

“Did Colin know?”

Daniel took a breath.

“Martin found an email exchange between Colin and Kara. It suggested that Colin knew about the proposed transfer. But he couldn’t determine whether Colin understood that the authorization was forged.”

I remembered Colin’s message.

It’ll be easier if you just trust us, Mom.

I felt tears forming.

“Why didn’t Martin tell me?”

Daniel’s expression softened.

“He wanted to protect you. He also hoped Colin would correct his behavior before the situation became worse.”

“Did he ever speak to Colin?”

“Several times. Martin even gave him an opportunity to explain himself.”

Daniel opened a document and showed me a handwritten note.

It was dated approximately six months before Martin died.

I asked Colin directly whether he had authorized the transfer request. He told me he knew nothing about it. I want to believe him, but the evidence is becoming difficult to ignore.

I pressed my lips together.

My husband had been dying.

He had been fighting cancer, attending appointments, enduring treatments, and trying to enjoy whatever time remained.

And during those same months, he had been worrying about our son.

I covered my face.

“Martin shouldn’t have had to carry this alone.”

Daniel waited until I composed myself.

Then he continued.

“There is something else you need to understand.”

He placed the trust agreement in front of me.

“The $684,000 family trust is separate from your son’s personal financial arrangements. You are the primary beneficiary during your lifetime. Colin has a conditional future interest, subject to the terms Martin established.”

“So Colin cannot simply demand the money?”

“Absolutely not.”

“And the house?”

“The property is protected under the ownership arrangements Martin created. We will review the title and loan documents carefully, but nobody can force you to sign away your rights.”

I felt a little relief.

Then Daniel handed me another document.

It was a statement Martin had signed several months earlier.

At the bottom, he had written:

My greatest fear isn’t that Colin will lose the money. My greatest fear is that he will lose his character while trying to obtain it.

I couldn’t stop crying.

At 1:52 the following afternoon, I heard a car pull into the driveway.

Colin and Kara had arrived.

I watched them through the living room window.

Kara was carrying a large leather handbag. Colin held a brown document folder.

They walked toward the front door without even looking at the Christmas decorations still hanging outside.

I opened the door.

“Hi, Mom,” Colin said.

He leaned forward as if to kiss my cheek, but I stepped aside to let them enter.

Kara smiled.

“Audrey, how are you feeling?”

“I’m managing.”

“That’s good. We know Christmas must have been difficult.”

I looked at her.

She was wearing an expensive cream-colored coat and carrying a shopping bag from a department store.

I remembered the photograph she had posted on Christmas Day.

The matching sweaters.

The enormous dining table.

The caption about being with the people who made everything feel right.

“Would either of you like coffee?” I asked.

“No, thank you,” Colin replied. “We shouldn’t take too much of your time.”

That surprised me.

For years, whenever Colin visited, he had always found a reason to stay longer.

Usually because he needed something.

Today, he seemed eager to get straight to the point.

He placed his folder on the dining table.

“Mom, Kara and I have been discussing Dad’s estate.”

I remained standing.

“Go on.”

“Well, we understand Dad left some investments and other assets.”

“Who told you?”

Colin glanced at Kara.

“We’ve been talking to people.”

“Which people?”

“Mom, that isn’t important.”

“It is to me.”

Kara interrupted.

“Audrey, we’re only trying to help. Colin is your only child. We think it’s important that everything stays within the family.”

I looked at her handbag.

Then at the folder.

“What exactly do you want me to sign?”

Colin opened the folder.

“These are some authorization documents. They would allow us to organize the estate, communicate with the financial institutions, and manage some of the accounts.”

I didn’t touch them.

“Why would you need to manage my accounts?”

“Because it’s complicated, Mom.”

“I’m perfectly capable of managing my own accounts.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?”

Kara sighed.

CONTINUE FOR NEXT PART7…