Chapter 7 - A Signature in Blue Ink.
Grant refused to answer Douglas in the ballroom.
Instead, he demanded that the immediate family move into the adjoining library.
Natalie agreed only after insisting Evelyn bring the microphone recording device from the stage manager.
"Why?"
Grant asked.
Natalie looked at him without blinking.
"Because nobody is going to say later that we remembered this differently."
That sentence seemed to age Grant by ten years.
The library was lined with dark shelves and decorative leather-bound books no guest had ever opened.
Warm light from two brass lamps fell across a long table.
Evelyn placed the black folder in the center.
James closed the door.
Douglas Reed entered behind them.
Celeste objected immediately.
"This is a family matter."
Douglas took a seat.
"The moment company funds were mentioned, it became a board matter too."
Grant remained standing.
"There are no company funds in her trust."
"Nobody said there were."
Douglas replied.
"I asked what you pledged to get the emergency credit line."
Grant stared at him.
Evelyn opened the folder to the pages Walter Kline had sent that afternoon.
There was a copy of a consent form authorizing a temporary pledge of beneficiary assets.
At the bottom was Evelyn's name.
Next to it was a blue signature.
Evelyn pushed the page toward Grant.
"That isn't mine."
Natalie leaned over the table.
"It looks like yours."
"It looks like the version of my signature on my driver's license when I was sixteen."
Grant crossed his arms.
"You signed documents before college."
"Not this one."
"You may not remember."
Evelyn almost laughed.
"The date is March fourteenth."
"So?"
"I was in Seattle on March fourteenth."
Grant's eyes moved once toward Celeste.
Evelyn saw it.
"I presented at the National Student Diagnostics Forum that morning."
She continued.
"There are photographs, conference records, hotel receipts, and a video of my presentation."
Celeste shook her head.
"Documents can be signed electronically before a trip."
Evelyn pointed to the page.
"This form says witnessed in person at Northbridge's downtown office at 10:15 a.m."
Douglas leaned closer.
Grant's face remained still.
Natalie sat down slowly.
"Dad."
She said.
"Who signed it?"
Grant rubbed one hand over his mouth.
"This is getting out of control."
"It is already out of control."
Evelyn said.
"I'm asking who signed my name."
Grant did not answer.
James looked at the witness line.
"Who is Elaine Porter?"
Celeste looked away.
That movement was enough.
Evelyn turned toward her.
"You know her."
"She used to work for Grant."
Celeste said.
"Used to?"
Douglas asked.
"She left in April."
Grant snapped.
"None of this proves anything improper."
Douglas sat back.
"A disputed beneficiary signature tied to a company credit line proves we need outside review."
Grant slammed his palm against the table, making the lamp tremble.
No one moved.
"You will not turn my daughter's wedding into an investigation."
Natalie's voice came from the far end of the table.
"You did that before we got here."
Grant looked at her.
The bride's eyes were shining, but she did not cry.
She opened her bridal bag and removed Walter Kline's envelope.
"Mom's attorney sent me this."
Grant went pale.
Celeste whispered his name.
Grant ignored her.
"Why would Walter contact you?"
Natalie unfolded the trust clause and placed it beside Evelyn's disputed signature.
"Because Mom told him to."
Evelyn looked at the page.
It was the first time she had seen the full clause.
Her chest tightened as she read the requirement for two trustees and both daughters' written consent before education funds could benefit another family member.
Douglas read it next.
"Grant."
He said.
"Where is Margaret Hale's approval?"
Grant's expression closed.
"Margaret disappeared from this family years ago."
Evelyn slowly reached for her phone.
"No."
She said.
"You told us she disappeared."
Grant looked at her.
Evelyn unlocked the screen and opened the message she had received thirty minutes before the speeches began.
It contained only six words.
I'm here.
Back table by the doors.
Natalie saw the name above the message.
Her mouth opened.
"Aunt Margaret?"
May you like
Evelyn nodded.
Then someone knocked on the library door.
