Chapter 4 - My Father-In-Law's Secret
Thomas Bell's office occupied the second floor of an old brick building near downtown Charlotte.
Ryan went alone because the doctors still wanted me resting.
But he kept me on speakerphone.
Thomas sounded older than I expected.
He also sounded nervous.
“Your father came to me eleven months before he died.”
Ryan asked, “Why?”
“He believed money was disappearing from Carter Development.”
Ryan stiffened.
His father had founded the regional construction company Ryan now managed.
After his death, Diane had remained involved through a family trust.
Thomas continued.
“Your father believed somebody was using his electronic signature.”
“My mother?”
“He suspected her.”
“Did he prove it?”
“He found irregularities totaling almost four hundred thousand dollars.”
I heard Ryan exhale.
“Why wasn't she charged?”
“Because your father refused to cooperate with investigators.”
“Why?”
Thomas paused.
“He said he wanted to protect his family.”
Ryan laughed bitterly.
“That sounds like Dad.”
Thomas opened something.
I could hear paper moving.
“He changed his estate plan afterward.”
Diane's message suddenly made sense.
Ryan asked, “What changed?”
“Your mother remained financially protected.”
Thomas continued.
“But she lost permanent control over the Carter Family Trust.”
“When?”
“When your first child is born.”
Silence filled the room.
My hand automatically moved over my stomach.
Thomas continued.
“At that point, you become sole trustee.”
Ryan's voice became very quiet.
“And Mom?”
“Her authority ends.”
There it was.
The reason my pregnancy mattered.
Not because Diane hated me.
Not entirely.
She was running out of time.
Ryan asked the question I was afraid to hear.
“How much money does she control right now?”
Thomas didn't answer immediately.
“Enough that you need an independent forensic accountant.”
Then he revealed something else.
“Your father also left you a sealed letter.”
“Why didn't I receive it?”
“His instructions were explicit.”
Thomas slid the envelope toward Ryan.
“It was to be given to you only when your wife reached thirty-two weeks of pregnancy.”
I was thirty-four weeks.
Ryan broke the seal.
He didn't read it aloud at first.
“Ryan?”
His breathing changed.
“What does it say?”
Finally, he spoke.
“Claire…”
It was the first time he'd said my name since entering the office.
Then he read the first line.
Son, if you're reading this, your mother has probably already tried to remove your wife from your life.
I stopped breathing.
Ryan continued.
Do not underestimate what fear will make her do.
Then he suddenly stopped.
“Ryan?”
He didn't answer.
“What does the rest say?”
When he finally spoke again, his voice sounded nothing like before.
May you like
“My father knew exactly what she would do.”
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