Chapter 10: My Grandmother's Second Will
"That's impossible.""
Dad was the first to speak.
He stood beside the dining table, staring at Peter Collins as if the man had just announced that the dead could walk.
"My mother-in-law died six years before Sarah," Dad continued.
"There was one will. I attended the probate hearing myself.""
Peter nodded.
"I know. I witnessed the second document.""
Daniel leaned forward.
"Where?""
"At Whitaker's office.""
"Who was present?""
"Your mother-in-law, Arthur Whitaker, and me.""
Daniel shook his head.
"Why would nobody know about it?""
Peter glanced toward the police officer.
"Because it was never submitted for probate.""
Dad pulled out a chair.
"Explain.""
Peter took a breath.
"Your grandmother was worried about what would happen to the family property after her death. She believed someone would eventually try to interfere with Sarah's inheritance. So she prepared another will.""
I looked at Daniel.
"Did you know about this?""
He shook his head.
"No.""
"Then why would Grandma hide it?""
Daniel looked toward the photograph of Mom.
"Because she didn't trust everyone around her.""
Peter removed another folded document from his shopping bag.
"This is a copy. The original is somewhere else.""
Dad opened it.
The first page contained my grandmother's full name, her address, and a list of properties.
The second page contained a paragraph highlighted in yellow.
Daniel read it aloud.
"All assets previously designated for my granddaughter Sarah Reed shall remain protected for her daughter, Nia Reed, and shall not be transferred, sold, or reassigned without the approval of the appointed estate trustee.""
I stared at the words.
"That means Grandma protected the house too?""
"Yes," Peter replied.
Dad continued reading.
Then he stopped at the bottom of the page.
"Who is the appointed trustee?""
Peter looked at Daniel.
"Your grandmother named someone she believed would never betray Sarah.""
Daniel frowned.
"Who?""
Peter pointed to the last line.
*Daniel Reed.*
My uncle sat down.
For the first time since arriving, he looked genuinely shocked.
"She appointed me?""
Peter nodded.
"She did.""
"But I was never informed.""
"Arthur was supposed to notify you after Sarah's death.""
Daniel slowly looked toward the photograph.
"Instead, he told everyone he had died.""
Peter lowered his head.
"I didn't know he was involved in that.""
Dad rubbed his forehead.
"How did Rebecca get access to all this?""
Peter hesitated.
"She contacted Arthur after Sarah died. She told him Marcus wanted to settle the estate and that she had authority to handle the property.""
Dad slammed his palm against the table.
"I never told her that!""
"I know.""
Peter reached into his bag again.
He removed a small envelope.
"Arthur gave me this last year. He told me to keep it until Rebecca asked for the original documents.""
Daniel took it.
Inside was a handwritten instruction.
If Nia Reed challenges the property transfer, produce the second will and arrange a meeting with the trustee.
Daniel looked up.
"Why would Arthur prepare for that?""
Peter answered quietly.
"Because he knew Nia would eventually discover the truth.""
I stared at him.
"Then why didn't he simply return the documents?""
Peter looked uncomfortable.
"Because he wanted money.""
Dad shook his head.
"How much?""
"Two hundred thousand dollars.""
The room went silent.
I almost laughed.
Two hundred thousand dollars.
That was the price someone had apparently placed on my grandmother's will, my mother's trust, and my future.
The police officer collected copies of the documents.
He explained that the original records would need to be verified before anyone could make a final legal determination.
Daniel agreed.
Then he turned toward Dad.
"We need to locate your mother-in-law's estate file.""
"Where?""
"At the original solicitor's office.""
Peter shook his head.
"That office closed years ago.""
Daniel looked at him.
"Then where did they send the records?""
Peter hesitated.
"Whitaker's private archive.""
Dad stood.
"Where is that?""
"Under the old estate.""
Daniel picked up his briefcase.
"We're going.""
The officer advised against confronting anyone without legal assistance.
Daniel agreed to contact the authorities and arrange a proper meeting.
But before we could leave, my phone rang.
It was an unknown number.
I answered.
"Hello?""
A man's voice spoke.
"Nia Reed?""
"Who is this?""
"My name is Arthur Whitaker.""
My entire body went cold.
Dad immediately moved closer.
"How did you get this number?""
Arthur ignored him.
"I understand you've been looking through documents that don't belong to you.""
I tightened my grip on the phone.
"They belonged to my mother.""
There was a short laugh.
"Your mother was a very difficult woman.""
Dad reached for the phone.
I put it on speaker.
Daniel stepped forward.
"Arthur.""
A pause.
"Daniel. Still playing the loyal brother?""
"Where is the original deed?""
"Safe.""
"Where?""
"Somewhere neither you nor Marcus can reach.""
Dad stepped closer.
"You forged my signature.""
Arthur sighed.
"Marcus, you should be grateful I kept that property from falling into the hands of people who didn't understand its value.""
Dad's voice shook with anger.
"It belongs to my daughter.""
"That remains to be determined.""
I looked at the second will.
"Grandma appointed Uncle Daniel as trustee.""
Arthur laughed.
"Your grandmother made a lot of promises.""
"She signed a legal will.""
"And you have a photocopy.""
Daniel interrupted.
"The original exists.""
Arthur went quiet.
Then his voice changed.
"Where did you find that?""
Daniel smiled without humor.
"That's none of your business.""
A few seconds passed.
Then Arthur spoke again.
"Listen carefully, Nia. Your mother wasn't the only person who made arrangements before she died. She left something behind that could ruin your father.""
Dad's face tightened.
"What are you talking about?""
Arthur ignored him.
"Ask Marcus what happened during the last forty-eight hours of Sarah's life.""
The call ended.
I looked at Dad.
He wouldn't meet my eyes.
"What's he talking about?""
Dad slowly sat down.
Daniel stared at him.
"Marcus?""
Dad rubbed both hands over his face.
Then he whispered:
"There's something I never told you about your mother's final night.""
May you like
And suddenly, I understood why he had been so afraid when Uncle Daniel mentioned the original deed.
The missing property documents weren't the only secret my mother had left behind.
