Chapter 3 - Aunt Caroline
Richard claimed Caroline called him unexpectedly.
She said Emma’s pregnancy had become medically dangerous.
She claimed Emma was frightened Sophie might be left without immediate caregiver if complications occurred.
Caroline suggested temporary guardianship.
“Why didn't you call me?” Emma demanded.
Richard looked ashamed.
“Caroline said you didn't want to discuss it.”
“And you believed her?”
“She knew details.”
“What details?”
The scheduled induction date.
Emma’s blood pressure concerns.
Hospital.
Doctor.
Room preference.
Information only close family or medical staff should know.
Eleanor said Caroline later emailed form.
Emma supposedly signed it.
Caroline witnessed it.
A remote notary confirmed.
Maya checked notary.
Real person.
Real commission.
But identity verification had been conducted over video.
Woman appearing as Emma wore glasses and had camera positioned poorly.
The notary admitted resemblance was “reasonable,” not perfect.
Fake ID had passed automated verification.
This was planned.
Caroline became obvious suspect.
Too obvious.
Emma remembered her aunt differently.
Caroline had been blunt, difficult and fiercely independent.
But after Margaret died, Caroline was the adult who sat beside Emma for three nights when Emma could not sleep.
Their estrangement happened later.
Richard claimed Caroline became obsessed with Margaret’s estate and accused him of hiding documents.
Emma sided with father.
Caroline left.
Now perhaps she had returned for revenge.
Maya cautioned:
“Possible. Not established.”
Digital investigators traced fake Emma email.
Created from public Wi-Fi at Lakeside Medical Library.
Security footage showed woman in long coat using computer.
Face obscured.
Approximate age:
fifty to seventy.
Could be Caroline.
Could be Eleanor.
Could be someone else.
Then handwriting examiner compared guardianship signature with old Margaret documents.
Result surprised everyone.
The signature was not simply Caroline’s handwriting.
It had been traced from a specific source.
Tiny tremors and identical pressure breaks matched an old form almost stroke for stroke.
Source document:
Emma’s 2004 elementary-school emergency contact form.
Signed by Margaret on Emma’s behalf.
Somebody had scanned that old signature and digitally transferred it.
Caroline did not need physically forge anything.
Who possessed 2004 school records?
Emma didn’t.
Richard claimed he didn’t.
Eleanor said she had never seen them.
Then Emma remembered a blue archival box her mother kept.
REPORT CARDS — EMMA.
After Margaret died, Richard stored it in attic.
Emma had not opened it for years.
Police searched Richard and Eleanor’s house with consent.
The blue box remained.
Inside:
report cards,
drawings,
school photographs.
But emergency contact folder was missing.
Richard stared.
“I didn't take it.”
Eleanor said nothing.
Maya noticed.
“You know where it went?”
“No.”
“Eleanor.”
The older woman’s expression hardened.
“Caroline took some of Margaret’s papers after funeral.”
Richard turned.
“You told me she took jewelry.”
“She took papers too.”
“What papers?”
“I don't know.”
Emma watched them.
The story of Caroline stealing from estate had been one reason Emma cut her aunt off.
Now Eleanor admitted she had never known exactly what Caroline took.
“Who told you Caroline stole anything?”
Emma asked.
Eleanor looked at Richard.
Richard’s face changed.
He answered quietly:
“Margaret did.”
Emma stared.
“My mother was already dead.”
Richard realized mistake immediately.
Eleanor closed eyes.
May you like
Emma whispered:
“What did you just say?”
