Chapter 8 - Two Days Before

Nathan read the medical report twice. It described Hannah's final hospitalization, nothing more. But attached behind it was a form titled AMENDMENT TO TRUST INSTRUCTIONS.

The paper carried Hannah's alleged signature and transferred decision-making authority over her charitable assets to Evelyn.

"Hannah couldn't hold a pen that day," Nathan said. "She asked me to brush her hair because lifting her arm exhausted her."

Nora examined the document without touching the original. "Don't jump ahead. We need records, witnesses, and a handwriting expert if this becomes litigation."

They made copies and placed the envelope in a document sleeve. Nora reached a hospital records contact who explained the lawful process for requesting authenticated documents. Meanwhile Nathan contacted the estate's independent accountant, Simon Price.

Simon hesitated before agreeing to meet. "I left three messages for you last spring," he said. "Your mother told me you weren't well enough to handle business."

"She never gave me those messages."

"Then there's a lot you haven't seen."

At noon, Caroline called. Her voice broke immediately.

"Nathan, I'm sorry about dinner. I should have said something."

"Why didn't you?"

"Because Mom holds the mortgage on our house. Peter lost his job. She's been covering us for months."

"That doesn't explain what you let happen to Lucy."

"No," Caroline whispered. "It doesn't."

She told him Evelyn had forbidden family members from taking photographs at dinner. Max had disobeyed, quietly making little videos with his tablet. When his grandmother discovered it, she'd confiscated the device.

"Could Max have recorded Lucy?" Nathan asked.

"Maybe. But Mom says the tablet was wiped."

A faint child's voice sounded on Caroline's end: "Mom, tell Uncle Nathan about the pantry."

Caroline gasped. "Max, go upstairs."

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Nathan straightened. "What pantry?"

For a long beat Caroline didn't answer. Then she said, "It's where Mom made Lucy stay when she had guests. Nathan, I think there's a camera in there."