Chapter 19 - A Forged GoodbyeDaniel did not sleep.
By midnight, he was in a conference call with Marisol, Olivia, and the attorney handling the trust's property matters.
The deed was a scanned document.
It purported to transfer Riverbend Mill from the trust to Alder Point Renewal.
Daniel's signature appeared above a notarial certificate.
He denied signing it.
Marisol denied approving the transaction.
The notary named in the document had been contacted through counsel.
She reported that she had not witnessed Daniel sign anything.
The attorney explained the immediate concern.
An unauthorized deed could create serious problems if someone tried to submit it for recording.
Even an ultimately invalid document could cloud title and generate costly disputes.
"We're preparing formal notices," she said. "We'll contact the parties involved and seek immediate court relief if necessary."
Daniel looked at the scanned signature.
It resembled the one on his corporate authorizations.
The same looping D.
The same abrupt final stroke.
He remembered Denise Harper saying Grant had copied signatures from existing documents.
Now the warning had become tangible.
"Can you prove it's forged?" Daniel asked.
"Your denial, the adviser's denial, and the notary's statement are strong reasons for emergency scrutiny. A full forensic examination can follow."
Daniel rubbed his eyes.
"What's the fastest way to protect the property?"
"Formal notice and, if needed, a temporary court order."
They discussed the steps carefully.
Daniel wasn't going to rescue Riverbend by shouting at somebody in a conference room.
He would need documents.
Lawyers.
Preserved evidence.
And patience.
At one in the morning, Olivia raised another issue.
"Celeste's representatives contacted us about collecting her belongings tomorrow morning."
Daniel stared.
"Tomorrow is the proposed closing date."
"Yes."
"Is that a coincidence?"
"We shouldn't assume. But I suggest moving the collection until the property issue is stabilized."
Daniel agreed.
At breakfast, Ethan noticed the dark circles beneath his father's eyes.
"Did you have a bad dream?"
Daniel smiled weakly.
"No. Just a long night."
"Are you sick?"
"No."
Ethan climbed onto the chair beside him.
"You can have my dinosaur."
He placed the little green toy on the table.
Daniel laughed despite himself.
"That's a generous offer."
"He helps when I'm scared."
Daniel picked it up.
The plastic was warm from Ethan's hand.
"Thank you."
Leah watched from the kitchen doorway.
She didn't interrupt.
Later, after Ethan left for school with her, Daniel received an unexpected call from Celeste.
He answered with Olivia present on speakerphone, after identifying her.
Celeste sounded exhausted.
"Daniel, I need to see you."
"Talk to your attorney."
"I fired him."
Daniel said nothing.
"Peter thinks I'm going to prison."
"Then you need qualified legal advice."
"Please. Just hear me."
Olivia gestured for Daniel to remain calm.
Celeste continued.
"I didn't make the decision to acquire Riverbend alone."
"We know Victor was involved."
"He'll deny everything."
"That's for investigators to examine."
"He has lawyers who can bury people."
Daniel looked at Olivia.
"Why are you telling me this?"
A pause.
"Because I think he's going to leave me with all of it."
Daniel closed his eyes.
"Celeste, you kicked my son's trophy. You lied about what happened. You interfered with his relationship with Leah. And there are serious questions about your financial conduct."
"I know."
"No. I don't think you do."
Her voice cracked.
"I loved you."
Daniel swallowed.
"Then why didn't you protect Ethan?"
Silence.
At last, Celeste answered.
"Because when you looked at him, I could see Anna."
Daniel said nothing.
Celeste began crying.
"I hated that she was still there. I hated that everyone remembered her as someone wonderful."
"She was Ethan's mother."
"I know."
"And Ethan is not responsible for your jealousy."
"I know that now."
Daniel looked at the photograph of Anna on his desk.
"Knowing it doesn't undo what happened."
Celeste whispered, "I never wanted him under that cart."
"I believe you may not have wanted that specific outcome. But you chose to kick his trophy toward a moving delivery lane."
She sobbed.
Daniel felt grief rise inside him.
Not grief for the marriage he could save.
Grief for the marriage he had believed he was in.
He ended the call after telling her to communicate through counsel.
Olivia studied him.
"How do you feel?"
Daniel considered the question.
"I wanted her to admit it."
"And?"
"Now she has. It doesn't make anything better."
Olivia nodded.
"Admissions don't substitute for accountability."
That afternoon, outside investigators obtained a further set of records from Northstar.
One communication described the proposed Riverbend transaction as essential to repaying short-term financing.
Another referenced Victor Harlan's expected participation in future redevelopment profits.
Then the investigators discovered something especially troubling.
A digital file of the deed had been created on a computer associated with Northstar's administrative office.
It had been modified multiple times.
And one version predated the notarial acknowledgment it purported to contain.
The metadata alone would require authentication, but it gave investigators a concrete lead.
Daniel received the update while picking Ethan up from school.
Ms. Harris accompanied the boy to the gate.
Ethan carried a science notebook.
He waved when he saw his father.
Daniel put the phone away.
But before he could reach the child, Principal Ellis approached.
"Mr. Mercer?"
He stopped.
"We need to discuss something that came to my attention today."
Daniel felt his stomach tighten.
"What is it?"
"Celeste contacted the district requesting a copy of Ethan's educational records. She also asked whether she could speak to him privately."
Daniel looked toward his son.
"Was either request granted?"
"No. We referred the matter to our records administrator and confirmed the current pickup authorization. She has not been given access."
Daniel exhaled.
"Thank you."
Naomi hesitated.
"I wanted you to know immediately."
He looked at the woman who had once asked a teacher to soften the truth.
For the first time, she seemed determined to do the right thing without calculating what it might cost.
Daniel nodded.
May you like
Then he walked toward Ethan.
And for once, there was nothing more important than taking his son's hand.
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