Chapter 5 - BLUE INK
Thomas submitted known signature samples to a forensic document examiner.
The examiner refused to offer an immediate conclusion.
Ink needed testing. Digital and physical copies had to be compared. The original document’s custody had to be established.
“The fact that you found it in Helen’s office does not prove she created it,” Miriam reminded him.
“The fact that I never signed it does.”
“It proves what you know. We still have to prove what happened.”
The catering folder confirmed Reed Event Logistics paid the twelve-thousand-dollar deposit. It also contained a final-payment authorization scheduled for the morning after the party.
Thomas canceled it.
The caterer threatened collection, arguing that the food, staff, and rentals had already been provided.
Thomas did not blame the vendor.
He instructed Leah to pay legitimate employee wages and direct costs while disputing the altered client records.
At the company office, Leah showed him an internal authorization approving the change from Thomas Reed to Robert Reed as client.
The approval used Thomas’s administrator credentials.
“Who had access?” he asked.
“You. Me. Mark Ellis in accounting.”
“Did you do it?”
Leah’s face hardened.
“No.”
“You processed the deposit.”
“Because you told me to.”
“You also knew the folder existed.”
“I prepared it.”
Thomas heard accusation in his own voice and could not stop.
“Were you helping Helen?”
Leah pushed back from the table.
“I have kept your company running for nine years. I took your children home while you were in handcuffs. Do not turn your parents’ betrayal into permission to accuse everyone near you.”
The words landed.
Thomas should have apologized.
Instead he suspended her access pending review.
It was a frightened decision disguised as caution.
Leah left her office key on the desk.
By afternoon, staff had heard she was under suspicion. Two managers questioned whether Thomas trusted anyone. A third client postponed an event.
Miriam arrived with the guardianship evaluator’s preliminary concerns.
Helen had produced photographs of Thomas entering Maple Ridge at night and alleged he stole corporate records.
“Your parents are arguing that your anger makes you reckless,” Miriam said. “You are helping them.”
Thomas rubbed both hands over his face.
An outside cybersecurity firm reviewed the client-name change.
The administrator login originated from Thomas’s home internet connection on a Wednesday afternoon.
Thomas had been at a supplier meeting.
Leah had been at the office.
The children had been at school.
No stranger had broken into the house.
Rebecca stood in the kitchen while Thomas changed passwords.
“Grandma came here that day,” she said.
Thomas turned.
“When?”
“After school.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“She said she was bringing decorations for the party.”
“Did she use my computer?”
Rebecca stared at the floor.
“She asked me to print pictures from your office. Then she locked the door.”
Thomas felt anger rise again.
Rebecca took one step backward.
He saw the movement and stopped himself.
“You are not in trouble.”
“She told me you had asked her to help.”
“What else did she take?”
“I don’t know.”
Rebecca wiped her eyes.
“She knew where you kept the spare key because Samuel told her.”
Thomas closed his laptop.
Helen had entered his house, used his credentials, and copied documents while his children believed they were helping plan a birthday.
Then Rebecca added one more detail.
“Grandma didn’t come alone.”
“Who was with her?”
“Mr. Ellis from your office.”
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Mark Ellis, the company accountant, had entered Thomas’s home with Helen.
The betrayal had reached inside Reed Event Logistics.
