Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO SIGNED HIS NAME
Daniel Brooks had been married to Vanessa for six years.
He was charming, polished, and exceptionally good at making people feel that they were the most important person in the room.
He also had a habit of talking about investments as though every conversation were a private opportunity.
At family gatherings, he'd asked my father about Northstar Systems several times.
My father had never encouraged those discussions.
Now I understood why.
Martin showed me a supporting document bearing Daniel's electronic signature.
Daniel had certified that the proposed collateral was supported by verified financial records.
But the figures didn't match the official trust statements.
Someone had inflated the assets, misrepresented ownership, and presented the documents as though I had approved the arrangement.
I photographed every page.
Then I asked Martin whether he thought Eliam and Vanessa were working together willingly.
"That's something we need to establish," he replied. "People sometimes participate in fraud because they're deceived themselves. Others know exactly what they're doing."
I left his office with more questions than answers.
That evening, Eliam came home carrying takeout from my favorite restaurant.
He kissed my forehead.
"Thought I'd surprise you."
I looked at the food, then at the man who had apparently spent a week visiting a law firm and arranging a financial transaction behind my back.
"That's sweet," I said.
During dinner, he talked about a difficult meeting.
I asked him whether his company had approved his leave.
His fork stopped halfway to his mouth.
"What?"
"Your leave. You haven't been at the office, have you?"
He stared at me.
For one brief moment, fear replaced every other expression on his face.
Then he laughed.
"Who told you that?"
"The receptionist."
His face hardened.
"Why were you at my office?"
"I brought you your medication."
He pushed his plate away.
"You're following me now?"
"No. I was trying to understand why you lied."
He stood abruptly, walked to the window, and rubbed his forehead.
Then he turned back toward me.
"I can explain everything."
"Then explain it."
His lips parted.
But before he could speak, his phone vibrated on the table.
A message appeared on the screen.
May you like
I caught only five words before he snatched the phone away.
She knows about the trust.
