Chapter 17 - THE NOTARY WHO WALKED AWAYRebecca Lane agreed to meet in person.
She arrived with a printed packet and a cautious expression.
“I want it understood I did not witness any signatures.”
Dana nodded.
“We know.”
Rebecca looked at Everett.
“And I never believed you were incapable.”
Everett gave a tired smile.
“That has become strangely comforting to hear.”
Rebecca opened the packet.
“These are the documents Celia sent.”
Everett recognized the folder contents.
Power of attorney.
Voting proxy.
Loan support authorization.
One additional page had not been in the birthday folder.
A resignation letter.
His resignation letter.
Everett stared at it.
Preston looked horrified.
“I’ve never seen that.”
Rebecca pointed.
“It was included in the original email attachment.”
Everett read the draft.
It stated that he was stepping down voluntarily due to “health concerns and a desire to spend more time with family.”
His name was typed at the bottom.
Signature line blank.
He felt sick.
“They were preparing my retirement announcement.”
Rebecca nodded.
“There was also a proposed statement for the board.”
Dana turned to Preston.
“Did you know?”
“No.”
Everett believed him.
Rebecca continued.
“Celia wanted everything signed in one session.”
“What did she say about timing?” Dana asked.
“She wanted seven-thirty.”
Everett remembered the party schedule.
Dinner at six-thirty.
Champagne throughout.
Cake at seven-fifteen.
Signatures at seven-thirty.
He felt cold.
“After cake.”
“Yes.”
Rebecca took out her phone.
“I also saved a voicemail.”
Dana’s posture changed.
“From Celia?”
“Yes.”
Rebecca played it.
Celia’s voice filled the room.
“Rebecca, please don’t complicate this. Everett gets tired in the evenings and can become stubborn. We need to handle the paperwork while he’s relaxed. He’ll be fine. Just get the signatures witnessed.”
The voicemail ended.
Preston whispered, “Jesus.”
Rebecca looked uncomfortable.
“I cancelled immediately.”
Everett nodded.
“You did the right thing.”
“I wasn’t sure whether I should report anything.”
“You had nothing to report yet.”
“That’s what my attorney said.”
Dana smiled slightly.
“Your attorney was correct.”
After Rebecca left, Preston stayed silent.
Then:
“She was going to make you resign.”
Everett looked at the draft.
“Yes.”
“And I was going to let it happen.”
“You didn’t know about this page.”
“I knew enough.”
That was the first mature thing Preston had said in days.
Everett looked at him.
“Yes.”
Preston’s face crumpled.
“I keep wanting to find the line where I become innocent.”
Everett was quiet.
“There may not be one.”
Preston nodded.
“I know.”
Dana’s phone rang.
She answered.
Listened.
Then looked at Everett.
“Julian wants to talk.”
Preston stood.
“What?”
“Through counsel.”
“Why now?”
Dana’s expression hardened.
“Because Celia’s attorney sent him a letter blaming the financial scheme on him.”
Preston laughed bitterly.
“Of course.”
Dana continued.
“Julian says he has records.”
Everett looked at her.
“What kind?”
“Messages. Drafts. Possibly recordings.”
“Why didn’t he provide them before?”
“Because he was protecting himself.”
“And now?”
“He thinks Celia is going to sacrifice him.”
Preston said:
“Good.”
Everett looked at his son.
“No.”
Preston turned.
“No?”
“Do not enjoy betrayal just because the betrayer betrayed someone else.”
Preston laughed bitterly.
“You really are still teaching lessons.”
“Someone has to.”
The meeting with Julian was scheduled for the following morning.
His lawyer insisted on neutral territory.
Dana agreed.
Everett did not like it.
But he understood.
Before bed, he passed Onyx.
The bird whispered:
“After he signs…”
Everett stopped.
Onyx tilted his head.
Then, in Celia’s voice:
“We’re free.”
May you like
Everett closed his eyes.
Tomorrow, he hoped, someone human would finally explain what that meant.
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