Chapter 3 - The Flash Drive
Ryan wanted to give the flash drive directly to police.
I agreed.
But before the officer arrived, he photographed it from every angle.
The tape.
The handwriting.
The exact position where we found it.
Diane had already taught us one lesson.
Document everything.
An officer arrived thirty minutes later.
We explained the forged divorce papers, the blocked phone number, the fake email, and the assault.
He photographed my cheek and wrist.
Then he placed the flash drive into an evidence bag.
“Do you have any idea what might be on this?”
“No,” Ryan said.
The officer nodded.
“We'll find out.”
Around midnight, my contractions finally slowed.
The doctor wanted to keep me overnight.
Ryan refused to leave.
At 1:17 a.m., his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
A man's voice came through the speaker.
“Ryan Carter?”
“Yes.”
“My name is Thomas Bell.”
Ryan's expression changed.
“Attorney Bell?”
Apparently he knew the name.
Thomas continued.
“I represented your father years ago.”
Ryan stood.
“What is this about?”
“I heard you returned to Charlotte.”
“How?”
There was a pause.
“Your mother called me tonight.”
Ryan looked at me.
“She sounded panicked.”
“What did she say?”
“She wanted to know whether documents your father left with my firm were still protected by attorney-client confidentiality.”
Ryan's face drained of color.
“What documents?”
“Something I was instructed to release under very specific circumstances.”
“What circumstances?”
Thomas hesitated.
“The birth of your first child.”
I stared at Ryan.
He looked equally confused.
“My father died six years ago.”
“Yes.”
“And you're telling me he left documents for a child I didn't even have?”
“Yes.”
“What are they?”
“I won't discuss them over the phone.”
Ryan lowered his voice.
“Mr. Bell, my mother forged my wife's signature tonight.”
Silence.
Then Thomas said something that changed the entire direction of the night.
“Ryan, listen carefully.”
Ryan tightened his grip on the phone.
“Your father once accused your mother of doing the same thing to him.”
My breath caught.
“What?”
Thomas continued.
“He withdrew the accusation before his death.”
“Why?”
“I never knew.”
Ryan looked toward the hospital window.
“Did she forge financial documents?”
Another long pause.
“Yes.”
Ryan sat down slowly.
“How much money?”
“I cannot answer that until we meet.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
Thomas lowered his voice.
“And Ryan?”
“Yes?”
“Do not tell your mother you're coming.”
The call ended.
Ryan remained motionless.
Then his screen lit up again.
This time it was Diane.
One text.
May you like
ASK THE LAWYER WHY YOUR FATHER CHANGED HIS WILL.
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