Chapter 11 - Michael’s Letter
Inside the folder was a handwritten letter from Michael.
Daniel recognized his brother’s messy handwriting instantly.
Danny,
If Mom tells you I have a kid, don't believe her.
Daniel stopped reading.
His vision blurred.
Michael continued:
She asked me to sign estate papers I didn't understand. I refused. She got angry and said Dad never should've written the trust that way.
I'm leaving copies with Evelyn because something is wrong.
If anything ever gets filed using my name, check the signature.
Daniel sat down.
Michael had written the letter eleven days before his fatal boating accident.
Police had ruled the accident exactly that—an accident.
Daniel refused to turn grief into speculation.
There was no evidence Margaret had anything to do with Michael’s death.
But the letter proved something important.
Michael had never acknowledged Lucas.
The signature was forged.
Rebecca arranged for a handwriting expert.
The preliminary comparison was devastating.
Michael’s supposed signature had been copied from an old company agreement.
Someone had traced portions of it.
Margaret’s lawyers began discussing settlement.
Daniel refused.
“This isn't a business dispute.”
Rebecca nodded.
“Good.”
“They used my dead brother. They destroyed my trust in my wife. They stole from my son.”
“And?”
Daniel looked at Noah playing nearby with a wooden block.
“And she kicked a fifteen-month-old child down the stairs because she thought she was losing control.”
There would be no quiet settlement.
Then Evelyn finally called.
Her voice shook.
“Daniel?”
“Where are you?”
“I can't tell you yet.”
“Did my mother make you create Lucas?”
Evelyn started crying.
“She made me help.”
“Why?”
“She had something on me. At first I told myself nobody would get hurt.”
“My wife died believing you were helping Margaret steal from her baby.”
“I know.”
Daniel’s voice hardened.
“Then come back.”
“I’m afraid.”
“So was Claire.”
Silence.
Daniel immediately regretted the cruelty of the words.
But Evelyn answered quietly:
“You’re right.”
She agreed to surrender through her attorney.
Before hanging up, she said:
“Daniel, there’s something else.”
“What?”
“Your mother didn't start this because of the money.”
Daniel frowned.
“Then why?”
May you like
Evelyn whispered:
“The money was how she hid what she was really afraid Noah would expose.”
