Chapter 7: The Will That Disappeared
Martin Reeves had handled hundreds of estate disputes during his forty-two years as an attorney.
He had seen siblings fight over houses, cousins steal jewelry, and grown children drag their parents into court over money.
But he had never seen anything quite like the Whitmore case.
He stood beside Mabel's coffee table, holding the incomplete will.
"Arthur signed this document three days before he died," he explained.
"I personally witnessed the signing.""
Mabel looked at him.
"Then where is the original?""
Martin removed his glasses.
"That's what I intend to find out.""
Dean leaned against the fireplace.
"Could Laura have taken it?""
"Possibly. But there were only three people who knew where the original was stored.""
"Who?""
"Arthur, myself, and the notary who witnessed the final signing.""
Mabel frowned.
"Patricia?""
Martin shook his head.
"No. Patricia Collins wasn't involved in the final will. The notary was a man named Robert Hayes.""
He opened his briefcase and removed a business card.
"Robert retired two years ago. But I spoke to him this morning. He remembers the signing.""
"Does he remember what Arthur left me?"" Mabel asked.
Martin nodded.
"Your husband left you the house, the remaining investment portfolio, and full control of the protected trust. He also included a provision for Emily.""
Emily looked up.
"What kind of provision?""
Martin smiled gently.
"Your grandfather wanted to make sure you could attend college without worrying about money.""
Emily lowered her eyes.
"Mom said Grandpa didn't have anything left.""
Martin's expression became serious.
"Your grandfather planned carefully. He knew there might be disagreements after his death.""
Dean crossed his arms.
"So what happened to the original?""
Martin looked at the incomplete document.
"I suspect someone substituted an earlier version.""
Mabel slowly shook her head.
"Laura wouldn't do that.""
Nobody answered.
She looked around the room.
"She's my daughter.""
Martin sat beside her.
"Mrs. Whitmore, I understand. But we must separate what you hope is true from what the evidence shows.""
Mabel stared at her wedding ring.
"Arthur used to say Laura had a temper, but she had a good heart.""
Dean spoke quietly.
"Maybe she did once.""
Mabel looked up.
"And what if I did something to make her hate me?""
Dean pulled up a chair.
"You paid for her childhood. You loved her. You raised her. You don't have to spend the rest of your life apologizing for expecting her not to steal from you.""
Mabel's eyes filled.
Martin placed a hand on the table.
"There's something else. Arthur included a clause in the original will that could be important.""
"What clause?"" Dean asked.
"If anyone attempted to fraudulently obtain control of his estate, the matter would be referred to an independent trustee, and that person would be excluded from receiving any discretionary inheritance.""
Mabel looked confused.
"Would Laura lose her inheritance?""
"Potentially, yes. But more importantly, the clause was designed to protect you.""
Martin closed the briefcase.
"I want to visit the courthouse records office this afternoon. We may find a copy of the final will there.""
Dean nodded.
"I'll drive.""
Martin glanced toward Emily.
"What about her?""
Mabel gently touched the girl's shoulder.
"She can stay with me.""
Martin hesitated.
"Has her father been informed that she's here?""
Emily shook her head.
"Mom and Dad don't live together anymore.""
Mabel looked surprised.
"You're separated?""
Emily nodded.
"Dad moved to Ohio last year.""
"Why didn't anyone tell me?""
Emily looked down.
"Mom said you wouldn't understand.""
Martin exchanged a glance with Dean.
"Do you have your father's phone number, Emily?""
The girl nodded.
"I know it.""
Martin wrote it down.
"Good. We'll make sure he's informed. You shouldn't be caught in the middle of this.""
As Martin prepared to leave, Mabel caught his sleeve.
"Mr. Reeves?""
"Yes?""
"Will you tell me something honestly?""
"Of course.""
"Did Arthur know Laura was hurting me?""
Martin looked at the floor.
"Yes, ma'am. He suspected what she might do.""
Mabel closed her eyes.
"Why didn't he tell me?""
"He wanted to protect you while he was alive. He also believed Laura might change if she had time.""
Mabel whispered, "She didn't.""
"No," Martin said sadly.
"She didn't.""
At three o'clock, Dean and Martin arrived at the county records building.
The courthouse was an old brick structure with tall windows and a faded American flag outside.
A clerk named Susan recognized Martin immediately.
"Mr. Reeves! I haven't seen you in years.""
"Hello, Susan. I need access to the Whitmore estate filings.""
Susan typed something into her computer.
Her expression changed.
"That's unusual.""
Martin leaned closer.
"What?""
"The estate was marked as settled eighteen months ago.""
"That's impossible. The final will was never submitted.""
Susan turned the monitor toward him.
A document appeared.
It showed that Laura Whitmore had petitioned to become the sole administrator of Arthur's estate.
The filing included a copy of the earlier will.
Martin's jaw tightened.
"Who authorized this?""
Susan scrolled down.
"Judge Daniel Cooper signed the order.""
Martin stared at the screen.
"Was there a hearing?""
"Yes. Laura appeared with an attorney.""
"Was Mabel notified?""
Susan checked the file.
"According to this, notice was delivered to her residence.""
Dean stepped forward.
"Who signed for it?""
Susan enlarged the document.
A signature appeared.
Mabel Whitmore.
Dean shook his head.
"She never received that.""
Martin pointed at the signature.
"That's not my client's handwriting.""
Susan looked uncomfortable.
"Would you like me to print the delivery record?""
"Yes, please.""
A minute later, she handed him a sheet.
The notice had been delivered to a private mailbox service.
Not Mabel's home.
And the person who signed for it was Patricia Collins.
Martin photographed the page.
"This is fraud.""
Susan lowered her voice.
"There's another thing.""
She opened a separate record.
"Laura requested a certified copy of the original will nine months ago.""
Martin frowned.
"Why would she request a document she claimed didn't exist?""
Susan looked at the screen.
"Because the court received a filing claiming the original had been destroyed.""
Dean stared at her.
"Destroyed?""
Susan nodded.
"According to the affidavit, Arthur's final will was accidentally discarded during a house clearance.""
Martin went completely still.
"Who signed the affidavit?""
Susan turned the monitor.
The name appeared.
*Patricia Collins.*
Martin slowly closed his eyes.
"That's enough.""
He gathered the documents.
As Dean opened the courthouse door, Martin's phone rang.
The caller was Robert Hayes, the retired notary.
Martin answered immediately.
"Robert, I was just looking for you.""
Robert sounded distressed.
"Martin, I need to tell you something.""
"What is it?""
"Laura Whitmore came to my house yesterday.""
Martin stopped walking.
"Why?""
"She asked me to confirm that the earlier will was Arthur's final document.""
"Did you?""
"Of course not. I told her I remembered witnessing a different will.""
Martin gripped the phone.
"What did she say?""
Robert hesitated.
"She told me that if I wanted to keep my pension and avoid a lawsuit, I should forget what I remembered.""
Martin looked at Dean.
Then Robert added:
"Martin, I think she's trying to destroy the evidence before you find it.""
The call ended.
Martin stared at his phone.
Dean looked at him.
"What's next?""
Martin glanced toward the courthouse.
"Now we find out who helped her.""
His phone vibrated again.
An email had arrived from an unknown sender.
There was no message.
Only one attachment.
A scanned photograph of Arthur's original will.
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And written across the top, in red ink, were four words:
*SHE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE.*
