Chapter 12 - A Ghost Signature
Richard Vale's digital signature had been used long after his death. The certificates traced back to the law firm of Malcolm Sloane, the family attorney.
“He's the one who handled Evelyn's estate,” Adrian said. “And the funeral.”
Hannah arrived with two detectives and examined the drive. “We have enough to seek warrants. But they know you're looking.”
“Then we move now.”
“Not alone.”
Rosa brought Sophie downstairs in her pajamas. The little girl studied the adults' faces.
“Is Mommy coming home?”
Adrian crouched. “I'm going to do everything I can.”
Sophie took his hand. “She said you would.”
At the warehouse, police found empty medical restraints, used syringes, and a scarf Evelyn had worn in the photograph. On a whiteboard, someone had written a departure time and a destination: AIRFIELD 9.
Richard Vale had built his empire on the idea that control was the same as care. He chose Adrian's schools, Marcus's career, and the charities the family supported. Evelyn had challenged him even when he was alive. 'A good cause doesn't make a bad method acceptable,' she'd told him at a holiday dinner. Richard had smiled, called her naive, and changed the subject. Adrian had remained silent. That memory now burned.
Hannah examined the digital certificates with a specialist. Richard's signature had been copied into a system that continued approving payments years after his death. Some authorizations had been generated automatically; others were created manually from an account linked to Sloane's office. 'It's not a ghost,' the specialist said. 'It's somebody using a dead man's reputation to make people stop asking questions.'
May you like
Hannah's radio crackled. The transport company had emptied its warehouse minutes before the search team arrived. On the whiteboard, someone had left an airfield number and a time. Adrian knew the next mistake could be permanent.
The departure time was forty minutes away.
