Page 81 of The Facilitator: Part 2
The thought repulsed me. I couldn’t imagine wanting to marry a relative. “And no one knewthis?”
“No, we didn’t,” Gabriella said. I detected forcefulness in her voice, and I hoped she hadn’t thought I believed they should have known. I was simplyshocked.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean toimply…”
“It’s okay, we’re all a little shocked here,” she replied, giving me a sadsmile.
“What can you do?” I asked thelawyer.
“Vivienne doesn’t recall ever signing the document, and I’m not sure she would have willingly done so if presented by Daniel. We have already blocked the transfer by selling the house to Gabriella and Alex,” hesaid.
“I’m not silly, I’d never sign anything he was involved in. I honestly don’t remember signing anything, but we’ve seen a copy and it certainly looks like my signature, but they have to be forgeries,” Viviennesaid.
“Can that be proven?” Iasked.
“Yes, eventually. In the meantime, we need to make a decision on how involved we want the police,” Mackenzie said. I frowned at him. “If Vivienne’s signature is on any documents relating to the offshore account, and we don’t know this, of course, she, technically, could also have access to any bank accounts,” headded.
“I’m not doing anything illegal, Mackenzie,” Vivienne said, stiffening herback.
“It wouldn’t be, though. If your signature is on those documents, and it’s your money in those bank accounts, and Jerry’s, of course, then it’s not illegal for you to request that money back,” Gabriellasaid.
“That sounds all too easy. Surely Daniel has some intelligence, Addison certainly does. They wouldn’t leave it as open, would they?” Iasked.
Mackenzie shrugged hisshoulders.
“Momma, Daniel has stolen from you and me. He’s tried to take our home; your granddaddy built that house. We can’t sit back and allow that to happen,” Gabriella said. I admired her for her mild blackmail and pulling on the heartstrings tactic, it was certainlynecessary.
Christopher leaned back in his chair. “I can’t condone or offer any advice on any illegal activity. However, I can say this. If yousigned those documents, Vivienne, as Mackenzie said, that is your money and you are fully entitled to recover it. Whatever you decide to do, I’d suggest you do itquick.”
“Is there a huge rush?” Iasked.
“Tomorrow news of the loss of the government contract is going to hit the media. I think that will cause Addison and Daniel to panic. We now know she, at least, has other money from Jerry, but if he has willingly given that to her, he can kiss it goodbye, legally. All we can hope is they were stupid enough to put the money in Cayman NationalBank.”
As if on cue, Mackenzie’s mobile rang. He stood and walked to the other side of the office as he answered. He didn’t speak much; he nodded and then remembered to add a verbal confirmation beforedisconnecting.
“It appears there is a bank account in the name of Collingsworth Trust with trustees listed asMs.Collingsworth.”
“Addison impersonated Momma?” Gabriellaasked.
“Possibly. Although, she’s a Collingsworthlegally.”
“I’m not sure there will be a lot we’ll know unless the pair decide to confess all, and that is unlikely to happen. In the meantime, I need to know if I am contacting the police now or later,” Christophersaid.
“Will you give us a day?” Vivienneasked.
He nodded. “In the meantime, what’s left in the trust is frozen. And of course, Vivienne, you have the Lockhart trust,” hesaid.
Both Mackenzie and Gabriella looked at Vivienne. She held the handkerchief to herlips.
“My mother was wealthy; your daddy didn’t come from money but he worked hard and he made a lot. My mother didn’t like him because he was poor, but I loved him and she respected my wishes. However she wasn’t kind to him. When she died, her money was locked into trust and I haven’t touched a cent of it. I didn’t want it. It’s been with Christopher until I die, then the distribution of funds are as per my will,” shesaid.
No one responded and I took it Gabriella hadn’t known her grandmother. Vivienne turned toGabriella.
“Daniel knows nothing of this money. I don’t want you to worry about what we’ve lost. I just want to make sure I can live in my home until I die. Christopher, I want an immediate change to my will. Daniel will inherit nothing more from me. Nothing.” She turned to Mackenzie. “I understand what you’ve said, maybe I could recover that money, but I’m not sure I want it back. Addison was never going tobuymy house, that was simply to fool your friend; they were going to steal it from me,” she looked at me as shespoke.
For a moment she just stared, and I wondered what was running through her mind. Then I saw a little spark in her eyes. She placed her handkerchief in her handbag and she straightened in her chair. She smoothed down the folds of her skirt and she crossed her ankles. Mrs. Collingsworth, as I knew her, wasback.
“However, here is what we will do. I will demand a transfer of funds, enough to cover the loss your friend, Jerry, has incurred, if that much exists in the bank account. I highly doubt it does. Christopher, please call the bank and arrange for that to happen,” she said. She sat back with a smugsmile.
