Chapter 5 - THE FORGED WILL
I held the document under the chandelier light.
“Interesting.”
Adrian watched me.
“What?”
“This signature.”
“What about it?”
“My father never signed like this.”
He laughed.
“That's your argument?”
“No.”
I reached for my phone.
“It's my evidence.”
I sent a photograph to Marcus.
“Run forensic verification.”
Marcus replied almost immediately.
“Already done.”
Adrian's smile disappeared.
“Sir, the ink is recent.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“What?”
Marcus continued.
“The signature was reproduced using a digital template.”
My mother covered her mouth.
I looked at Adrian.
“Who gave you this?”
He said nothing.
“Who?”
His eyes shifted toward my mother.
I turned.
She was crying.
“Mom?”
She lowered herself into a chair.
“I didn't know what else to do.”
My stomach twisted.
“What did you do?”
She whispered:
“I signed it.”
Daniel stared at her.
“You?”
“I thought it would protect the family.”
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
“You forged my father's will.”
“I was afraid.”
“Of Adrian?”
She nodded.
“He came to me after the funeral.”
Adrian looked away.
My mother continued.
“He told me he would expose your father.”
“Expose what?”
She began crying harder.
“The truth.”
“What truth?”
She whispered:
“Your father didn't die naturally.”
Silence.
Clara grabbed my arm.
“What?”
My mother looked at me.
“Your father was poisoned.”
I felt the blood drain from my face.
“Who did it?”
She looked at Daniel.
Then at Adrian.
Then finally at me.
“I don't know.”
Adrian stepped forward.
“I do.”
Everyone turned.
“My mother was there.”
“What did she see?”
“She saw your mother arguing with your father.”
My mother shook her head.
“That isn't true.”
Adrian pulled out another photograph.
It showed my mother standing outside my father's study the night he died.
She looked terrified.
I stared at her.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I loved him.”
“That doesn't answer the question.”
She broke down.
“Because I was afraid you would hate me.”
I couldn't speak.
Marcus called again.
“Sir, we found something.”
“What?”
“Your father's medical records were altered.”
“By whom?”
A pause.
“Your mother's signature appears on the authorization.”
My mother screamed.
“No!”
The room erupted.
Daniel accused Adrian.
Adrian accused my mother.
Sienna began crying.
And Clara stood beside me, silent.
Then she leaned toward me.
“Julian.”
“What?”
“Look at Daniel.”
I did.
My brother wasn't looking at anyone.
He was staring at the floor.
And in his hand was a tiny black flash drive.
I knew that flash drive.
It had disappeared from my office two years ago.
I stepped toward him.
“Daniel.”
He looked up.
“What?”
“Give me the drive.”
His face changed.
“I can't.”
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“Why?”
“Because it contains the reason Dad was killed.”
