Chapter 14 - THE PAPER SHE WOULDN’T SIGNA handwriting expert examined two documents.
One legitimate signature.
One photocopy attached to a draft amendment.
The second was likely traced.
Not enough to prove Vanessa did it.
But enough to raise questions.
The attorney who prepared the amendment claimed Vanessa said Eleanor had already agreed.
Eleanor denied it.
Daniel asked:
“Did you ever authorize Vanessa to sign for you?”
“No.”
“Ever?”
“No.”
Police opened a separate fraud inquiry.
Vanessa’s attorney called everything a misunderstanding.
Daniel stopped being surprised by the word.
Then another witness appeared.
Nina Collins, the family’s former housekeeper.
Vanessa fired her six weeks earlier.
Reason given:
Theft.
Nina denied it.
She had worked for Daniel for four years.
Why had he not known?
Because Vanessa told him Nina moved away.
Daniel felt sick.
They found Nina in Providence.
She agreed to speak.
“Mrs. Hayes was frightened.”
“When?”
“For months.”
“Did you see Vanessa hit her?”
Nina hesitated.
“Once.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“What happened?”
“Vanessa slapped her in the kitchen.”
“Why?”
“Sophie wouldn't eat.”
That absurdity nearly broke him.
“Did you report?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Vanessa told me if I talked, she would report me for stealing jewelry.”
Daniel remembered.
She had accused Nina anyway.
Nina cried.
“I needed references.”
Daniel whispered:
“So you left.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you call me?”
“She said you knew.”
Again.
May you like
Isolation through borrowed authority.
Vanessa had used Daniel’s name as a weapon.
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