Julian’s body went cold.
“How?”
“He presented a power of attorney bearing Martha’s signature.”
Martha sat upright.
“I never signed a power of attorney.”
Rebecca heard her through the phone.
“I know.”
Julian asked, “Was it forged?”
“We’re investigating that.”
“What would the document have allowed Martin to do?”
“Cancel the transfer.”
“To Elena?”
“Yes.”
Julian looked at his mother.
“Why would Martin care about that?”
Rebecca remained quiet.
“Rebecca?”
“There is something you need to see.”
“What?”
“An addendum Arthur Hale signed in 1989.”
Julian’s heartbeat accelerated.
“What does it say?”
“It says that if Elena Laurent’s claim to ownership is ever formally recognized, control of the partnership assets does not automatically return to Elena.”
“Then who gets control?”
Rebecca hesitated.
“To the attorney appointed as trustee.”
Julian closed his eyes.
“Martin.”
“Yes.”
Everything changed again.
Bianca wanted the property.
Martin wanted the trust.
But how were the two connected?
“Rebecca, freeze everything.”
“I’ve already done that.”
“No transfers.
No signatures.
Nothing moves.”
“Understood.”
Julian ended the call.
Martha whispered, “Martin knew.”
“Yes.”
“He knew what I was planning.”
“Yes.”
“And Bianca…”
Julian looked at her.
“We still don’t know what Bianca knew.”
His phone rang again.
This time Bianca’s name appeared.
Julian answered.
“Where are you?”
“Driving.”
“To where?”
“To my mother.”
Julian glanced at Martha.
“Why?”
“Because Martin found her.”
Julian felt his chest tighten.
“What does that mean?”
“It means you need to stop believing last night was about this mansion.”
“Then what was it about?”
“Keeping your mother away from mine.”
Julian stared at Martha.
“Why?”
Bianca’s voice broke.
“She was supposed to sign the restitution documents yesterday.”
“Your mother?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t she?”
“Because Martin reached her first.”
Julian rose.
“Where is Elena?”
“A private care facility about two hours north.”
“I’ll meet you there.”
“No.”
“Bianca.”
“You saw what I did last night.”
“Yes.”
“You shouldn’t trust me.”
“I don’t.”
“Good.”
For the first time since the confrontation, Julian heard what sounded like real fear in her voice.
“But if you want the truth, get there before Martin does.”
The line went dead.
Elena Laurent was seventy-six years old.
Julian had imagined someone angry.
Instead he found a quiet woman.
Thin.
Elegant.
Her once-dark hair had turned almost completely white, but her eyes were unmistakably similar to Bianca’s.
Bianca stood near the window when Julian entered.
She looked exhausted.
No makeup.
No jewelry.
No engagement ring.
Julian had never seen her look so vulnerable.
Part of him hated that he still noticed.
“Where’s Martin?” he asked.
“Gone.”
“Was he here?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Around six this morning.”
“What did he want?”
Bianca turned toward the hospital bed.
Elena answered for her.
“My signature.”
Her voice was soft.
Julian moved closer.
“Mrs.
Laurent.”
“You resemble Arthur.”
He stopped.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
Julian could not answer.
Elena gave a faint smile.
“You didn’t do it.”
“My family did.”
“That isn’t the same thing.”
Julian looked at Bianca.
“Your daughter apparently disagrees.”
Bianca flinched.
Elena’s expression tightened.
“Bianca.”
“What?”
“Tell him.”
Bianca crossed her arms.
Julian waited.
At last she spoke.
“Martin contacted me six months ago.”
Julian stared at her.
“He obviously knew exactly who I was.”
“What did he want?”
“He told me your mother intended to deceive mine again.”
Martha, who had insisted on coming despite the hospital doctor’s objections, entered behind Julian.
Bianca stopped talking.
Elena saw Martha.
For several long seconds, neither older woman said anything.
Then Martha began to cry.
“Elena.”
Elena’s eyes filled as well.
“You’ve gotten old.”
Martha laughed through her tears.
“So have you.”
Julian watched as his mother approached the woman whose life her husband had helped destroy.
Martha stopped beside the bed.
“I should have told the truth.”
Elena looked up at her.
“Yes.”
“I was afraid.”
“I know.”
“I convinced myself that protecting my family meant protecting Arthur.”
Elena’s voice softened.
“And eventually?”
“I understood that protecting Arthur was destroying everyone else.”
A tear moved down Elena’s cheek.
Martha reached for her hand.
Elena allowed Martha to hold it.
Bianca détourna le visage.
Julian se retourna vers elle.
“Continue.”
Bianca serra les mâchoires.
« Martin m’a montré des documents prouvant que Martha était en train de créer une fiducie. »
« C’était vrai. »
« Il a dit que la fiducie elle-même n’était qu’une autre ruse. »
Il prétendait que Martha ferait semblant de restituer la propriété, puis utiliserait l’acceptation de cette restitution par ma mère comme preuve légale que le différend initial avait finalement été réglé.
Rebecca, qui était entrée quelques instants plus tôt, secoua la tête.
« Ce n’est pas vrai. »
Bianca rit amèrement.
« Je le sais maintenant. »
Julian la fixa du regard.
« Alors tu as commencé à manipuler ma mère. »
Bianca ne l’a pas nié.
