Chapter 4 - THE DEATH CERTIFICATE THAT SHOULDN'T EXIST
Lorraine returned to her seat with one terrifying question.
Why would someone create a death record for a child who was clearly alive?
Imani was still drawing.
She had added a smiling sun above her airplane.
Lorraine sat down carefully.
"That's a beautiful picture."
Imani smiled.
"Mommy always said clouds look better when you put a sun behind them."
Lorraine felt tears rise.
Naomi had said the same thing when they were teenagers.
Before secrets.
Before tragedy.
Before a little girl became the center of a fight involving billions of dollars.
Lorraine looked toward the window.
She needed to stay calm.
Imani needed her to stay calm.
When the airplane landed in New York, Rebecca Mercer waited near the arrival gate with two attorneys.
One introduced himself as Samuel Hale.
He was in his late fifties, with silver glasses and a quiet, reassuring voice.
"Ms. Parker, I'm sorry for the unusual circumstances."
Lorraine folded her arms.
"Then explain them."
Samuel nodded.
"Daniel Mercer discovered shortly before his death that his daughter's identity had been removed from several estate and family records."
"By Gerald Whitford?"
"That's one matter under investigation."
Imani stood beside Lorraine holding her pink backpack.
Samuel looked down.
"Hello, Imani."
"Hi."
"My name is Samuel."
"Are you a lawyer?"
He smiled.
"Yes."
"Do lawyers always wear blue ties?"
Rebecca laughed softly.
"Only the fashionable ones."
For the first time that day, Imani smiled.
Samuel became serious again.
"We've arranged a private meeting, but first I need to make one thing clear. Lorraine remains Imani's guardian. No one is taking the child anywhere without lawful authorization."
Lorraine exhaled.
"Thank you."
They traveled to a quiet office overlooking Manhattan.
Inside, Samuel placed several documents on a conference table.
The first was Daniel Mercer's original estate plan.
It had been created shortly after his separation from Naomi.
At the time, it included instructions for a child he hoped to meet someday.
The second was a revised document.
It had been submitted eighteen months earlier.
In that version, Imani's name had disappeared.
Her inheritance was redirected toward a corporate trust controlled by Gerald Whitford.
Lorraine stared.
"Who authorized that?"
Samuel's expression darkened.
"The signature is being challenged."
"Was it forged?"
"We have substantial reason to suspect it."
Imani sat quietly beside Rebecca, coloring.
Lorraine lowered her voice.
"How did Daniel find out?"
Samuel opened another folder.
"Naomi left behind evidence."
Lorraine went still.
"Naomi?"
He nodded.
"Shortly before her death, she sent a package to Daniel's private attorney."
Lorraine's heart pounded.
"What was inside?"
"Copies of communications, photographs, and an explanation of why she left him."
Lorraine felt sick.
Naomi had rarely discussed Daniel.
Whenever Lorraine asked, Naomi said only that their relationship had become dangerous.
Now she understood why.
Samuel pushed a letter across the table.
Lorraine recognized Naomi's handwriting immediately.
Her best friend's familiar slanted letters.
She opened it.
Daniel,
If this reaches you, I hope Imani is safe.
I left because someone close to you threatened to take our daughter.
I did not stop loving you.
I was trying to keep her alive.
Lorraine pressed a hand against her mouth.
Samuel continued.
"There's one more thing."
He opened a sealed photograph.
Naomi stood beside Daniel at a small wedding ceremony.
Behind them was a third man.
Gerald Whitford.
He was smiling.
But his hand rested possessively on Naomi's shoulder.
Lorraine stared at the photograph.
Then whispered, "I know that man."
Samuel looked up.
"Gerald?"
Lorraine nodded.
Her hands began trembling.
"Naomi once told me someone had been following her."
"Who?"
She looked toward Imani.
Then back at Samuel.
"She called him Daniel's best friend."
Samuel closed his eyes.
Lorraine swallowed.
"And she said he wanted something Daniel would never willingly give him."
"What?"
May you like
Lorraine's voice broke.
"Naomi told me Gerald wanted her daughter."
