Chapter 7 - Box 317
The warrant took hours.
Olivia had always been good with emergencies. When his father died, she organized food, calls, paperwork. When Daniel's business slowed, she told him not to worry about the bills.
At 6:40 p.m., Ortiz called.
"We're opening the box. You should be here."
Safe-deposit box 317 contained no cash.
A copy of Margaret's driver's license. Her Social Security card. A notarized medical power of attorney. A property transfer form for Margaret's house. Three blank checks from the family trust. And a life-insurance change-of-beneficiary form naming Olivia as trustee for Ethan.
"Why would she have copies of Mom's ID?"
Ortiz didn't answer immediately.
A bank investigator pointed to the property form.
"This would transfer your mother's house to an LLC."
"What LLC?"
"North Star Residential Holdings."
The investigator turned a page.
"Registered agent: Olivia Mercer."
Daniel felt sick.
"She was going to steal my mother's house?"
"Looks like she was preparing to."
Ortiz studied the forged signature. "And if your mother became medically incapacitated, this document could have made it easier."
Then the investigator pulled out the final item: a sealed envelope with Daniel's name on it.
The handwriting was Margaret's.
Daniel tore it open.
Inside was one page.
Danny,
If you're reading this, I didn't get the chance to tell you myself. Please don't blame Ethan. He may have heard more than I wanted him to hear. I was trying to protect both of you.
Olivia has taken money, but that is not the worst thing I found.
Daniel stopped breathing.
May you like
The next line read:
I have reason to believe she has been using your identity too.
