Diane slept for less than two hours.<\/p>\n
At seven the next morning she told Carol she was going to the library.<\/p>\n
Carol barely looked up from her phone.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo find information about retaking the exam.\u201d<\/p>\n
The lie worked beautifully.<\/p>\n
Carol\u2019s expression softened with condescension.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t get your hopes too high.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diane left carrying a backpack containing the wooden box, copies of the papers, her recorded conversation and the phone displaying the score she still had not allowed herself to celebrate.<\/p>\n
Aunt Susan was waiting two blocks away.<\/p>\n
\u201cGet in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diane climbed into the Honda.<\/p>\n
Susan took one look at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
Diane played the recording.<\/p>\n
By the time Carol\u2019s voice said that someone else could sign as Diane, Susan had pulled to the curb.<\/p>\n
She listened to the remainder without moving.<\/p>\n
Then she turned off the engine.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re hiring someone to impersonate you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what it sounds like.\u201d<\/p>\n
Susan\u2019s hands tightened around the steering wheel.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew Arthur was greedy. I didn\u2019t know he was stupid enough to become criminal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan the recording stop them?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSanders will know.\u201d<\/p>\n
They reached the lawyer\u2019s office shortly before nine.<\/p>\n
Martin Sanders was in his late sixties, silver-haired and lean, with the careful movements of someone who had spent decades reading documents other people skimmed.<\/p>\n
He did not waste time with pleasantries.<\/p>\n
He locked the conference-room door.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me hear it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diane played the recording.<\/p>\n
Sanders listened twice.<\/p>\n
When it ended, he removed his glasses.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis changes the situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan we call the police?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can, but we need to understand what they are attempting and preserve the strongest evidence possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
He opened a thick file.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour mother created a trust arrangement shortly before her death. The Pasadena property was to remain protected until you turned eighteen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diane leaned forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow it belongs to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The simplicity of the sentence stunned her.<\/p>\n
\u201cCompletely?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSubject to routine estate administration, yes. Your father does not own it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan he sell it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot lawfully.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan he mortgage it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan he decide what happens to it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diane sat back.<\/p>\n
For ten years Arthur had spoken about the house as if it were an inconvenient family asset.<\/p>\n
It had never been his.<\/p>\n
Sanders slid a copy of the deed toward her.<\/p>\n
Her mother\u2019s name appeared first.<\/p>\n
Then the trust language.<\/p>\n
Then Diane\u2019s.<\/p>\n
She ran her finger beneath it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is it worth?\u201d<\/p>\n
Sanders hesitated.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurrent estimates put the property well above what it was worth when your mother died.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow far above?\u201d<\/p>\n
He named a figure.<\/p>\n
Diane stared at him.<\/p>\n
Susan swore softly.<\/p>\n
Suddenly the private tutoring, Lily\u2019s overseas plans and Arthur\u2019s urgency acquired a different scale.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey want the money.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sanders nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost likely.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diane looked at the papers.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy father said there was already a buyer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat concerns me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause there should be no buyer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sanders turned to his computer.<\/p>\n
He searched several records, made two calls and asked Diane to repeat exactly what Arthur had said.<\/p>\n
On the second call, his posture changed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Susan asked.<\/p>\n
Sanders raised one finger.<\/p>\n
He continued listening.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen was that filed?\u201d<\/p>\n
A pause.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy whom?\u201d<\/p>\n
Another pause.<\/p>\n
\u201cI need a copy immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n
He ended the call.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Diane asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cYesterday afternoon, someone requested expedited preparation of transfer documents relating to Magnolia Avenue.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDad?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe request came through an attorney representing Arthur.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo they already started.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut they still need me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sanders looked at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey need someone the notary believes is you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The recording suddenly felt much more real.<\/p>\n
Diane\u2019s stomach turned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do we do?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe let them reveal themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Susan stood.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sanders remained calm.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we warn them now, they withdraw the paperwork and claim the conversation was hypothetical.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re planning identity fraud against my niece.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I intend to stop it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Susan paced toward the window.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t like using Diane as bait.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNeither do I.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diane said, \u201cI\u2019ll do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both adults looked at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve spent years letting him decide what I know,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m finished doing that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sanders studied her.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat exactly are you proposing?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI keep pretending I failed. I go to Lily\u2019s party. They think I\u2019m desperate.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe find out where the signing is happening.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sanders considered it.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo not confront them alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo not sign anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd if I tell you to leave, you leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diane nodded.<\/p>\n
Sanders copied the recording and documented when and how it had been made.<\/p>\n
Then he removed another envelope from the estate file.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was instructed to give you this on your eighteenth birthday once ownership transferred.\u201d<\/p>\n
The handwriting on the front belonged to Eleanor.<\/p>\n
Diane knew it immediately.<\/p>\n
To my daughter Diane, on her eighteenth birthday.<\/p>\n
Her throat tightened.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan I open it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt belongs to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
She slipped one finger beneath the flap.<\/p>\n
Then stopped.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Susan touched her shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diane placed the letter inside the wooden box.<\/p>\n
There would be a time for her mother\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n
Today she needed her own.<\/p>\n
Sanders searched the estate file again.<\/p>\n
His brow furrowed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOne document is missing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Susan leaned closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhich?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe original acknowledgment concerning Arthur\u2019s lack of authority over the property.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCould it be misfiled?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t misfile originals.\u201d<\/p>\n
He stood and opened a locked cabinet.<\/p>\n
The document was not there.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen did you last see it?\u201d Diane asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeveral years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho had access?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy staff. Your mother. Me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Dad?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot legitimately.\u201d<\/p>\n
The word legitimately hung between them.<\/p>\n
Sanders made another call.<\/p>\n
While he spoke, Diane wandered to the window.<\/p>\n
Los Angeles moved below as if nothing in her life had changed.<\/p>\n
Her phone buzzed.<\/p>\n
Arthur.<\/p>\n
Where are you?<\/p>\n
Library.<\/p>\n
Come home by noon.<\/p>\n
Why?<\/p>\n
We need to discuss tonight.<\/p>\n
Diane typed slowly.<\/p>\n
Okay.<\/p>\n
Another message arrived.<\/p>\n
And wear something appropriate to Lily\u2019s party. No drama tonight.<\/p>\n
She stared at the words.<\/p>\n
No drama.<\/p>\n
Her father was arranging to steal her inheritance using an impersonator while demanding that she behave.<\/p>\n
She almost admired the absurdity.<\/p>\n
Sanders finished his call.<\/p>\n
\u201cI found the notary appointment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Susan turned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSterling Notary Services on Wilshire Boulevard.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat time?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEight thirty tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diane remembered Carol giving the same time.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the party starts at seven.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo how am I supposed to be in two places?\u201d<\/p>\n
Sanders looked grim.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou aren\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
The implication settled over the room.<\/p>\n
They intended the impersonator to attend the signing while Diane was publicly visible at Lily\u2019s celebration.<\/p>\n
Arthur would have an entire ballroom of witnesses proving his real daughter had never gone near the notary.<\/p>\n
Diane felt suddenly cold.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why Dad insisted I attend.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sanders nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe isn\u2019t inviting you because you\u2019re family.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s building an alibi.\u201d<\/p>\n
Susan sat down.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen we call the police now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sanders agreed to notify them and provide the recording, but he warned that intervention might depend on what happened at the notary office.<\/p>\n
Diane looked at the clock.<\/p>\n
Four hours until she had to begin getting ready.<\/p>\n
Eleven and a half until the scheduled signing.<\/p>\n
Before leaving, Sanders handed her several certified copies.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeep these with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are they?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour mother\u2019s will, trust documentation and proof of your identity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diane slid them into a manila envelope.<\/p>\n
At the door he added, \u201cThere\u2019s something else you should understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
She waited.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour mother expected Arthur might pressure you someday. She did not expect him to go this far.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diane looked at the wooden box beneath Susan\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid she hate him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sanders answered without hesitation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was the tragedy. She loved him long enough to understand exactly what he was capable of.\u201d<\/p>\n
Back home, Carol had laid a dress across Diane\u2019s bed.<\/p>\n
It was plain navy blue.<\/p>\n
Nothing like Lily\u2019s custom gown.<\/p>\n
A note rested on top.<\/p>\n
Be downstairs at six.<\/p>\n
Diane showered and dressed.<\/p>\n
Then she took out her phone and opened the examination result.<\/p>\n
98.7.<\/p>\n
She printed twelve copies.<\/p>\n
She placed them inside the manila envelope with her mother\u2019s documents.<\/p>\n
At six, she walked downstairs.<\/p>\n
Arthur was waiting.<\/p>\n
His eyes moved over her.<\/p>\n
\u201cAcceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
He handed her another folder.<\/p>\n
\u201cBring this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diane opened it.<\/p>\n
The relinquishment form was inside.<\/p>\n
\u201cAm I signing at the party?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n
She looked at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means stop asking questions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carol appeared in an emerald dress.<\/p>\n
\u201cArthur, the car is here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lily came downstairs moments later.<\/p>\n
She looked radiant and nervous.<\/p>\n
When she saw Diane, she smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou came.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diane believed her.<\/p>\n
That made everything harder.<\/p>\n
The hotel ballroom glittered with chandeliers, flowers and enormous photographs of Lily.<\/p>\n
Guests congratulated Arthur as if he had personally earned his stepdaughter\u2019s grades.<\/p>\n
Diane remained near the edge of the room.<\/p>\n
At seven forty-five, Arthur took the stage.<\/p>\n
He spoke about family.<\/p>\n
Sacrifice.<\/p>\n
Pride.<\/p>\n
He called Lily the daughter any father would dream of having.<\/p>\n
Diane listened without reacting.<\/p>\n
Then her phone vibrated.<\/p>\n
Mr. Sanders.<\/p>\n
She slipped into the hallway.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey moved the appointment.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo when?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEight fifteen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diane checked the time.<\/p>\n
8:03.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think they\u2019re nervous.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho is there?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m still confirming.\u201d<\/p>\n
Through the ballroom doors, applause erupted.<\/p>\n
Arthur raised a champagne glass beside Lily.<\/p>\n
Sanders spoke again.<\/p>\n
\u201cDiane, listen carefully. Someone matching your age and general description has entered Sterling Notary Services with Carol.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diane\u2019s mouth went dry.<\/p>\n
Carol.<\/p>\n
She looked toward the head table.<\/p>\n
Carol\u2019s chair was empty.<\/p>\n
Arthur remained onstage.<\/p>\n
Perfect.<\/p>\n
He had stayed behind to be seen.<\/p>\n
Carol had taken the impersonator.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow long do we have?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMinutes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diane turned.<\/p>\n
Aunt Susan had been watching from across the hallway.<\/p>\n
One look at Diane\u2019s face was enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re leaving?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diane kicked off her heels.<\/p>\n
Behind them, Arthur began another speech about what family meant.<\/p>\n
Diane ran toward the elevators carrying the envelope that contained her real identity, her real score and her mother\u2019s real wishes.<\/p>\n
For the first time, she was no longer trying to discover what her father intended to do.<\/p>\n
She was racing to stop him from doing it.<\/p>\n
Diane slept for less than two hours. At seven the next morning she told Carol she was going to the library. Carol barely looked up from her phone. \u201cWhy?\u201d \u201cTo … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5030,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5033","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chapter-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thechapterstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5033","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thechapterstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thechapterstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thechapterstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thechapterstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5033"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thechapterstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5033\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5051,"href":"https:\/\/thechapterstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5033\/revisions\/5051"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thechapterstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5030"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thechapterstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5033"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thechapterstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5033"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thechapterstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5033"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}