Chapter 12 - THE FRIEND WHO SIGNED MY NAME
The broker’s name was Eric Dalton.
Jennifer remembered him from the wedding.
Daniel had introduced him as his smartest friend from college.
Eric had toasted Daniel at the rehearsal dinner.
He had called Jennifer “the best thing that ever happened to him.”
Now his name appeared on a fraudulent two-million-dollar policy.
Rachel arranged a meeting with investigators.
Eric initially claimed Jennifer had signed electronically.
Then he was shown the original signature.
He changed his story.
Daniel had brought paperwork.
Eric said Jennifer had completed it at home.
Jennifer produced proof she had been in Chicago for work on the date of submission.
Eric changed his story again.
By evening, he had an attorney.
That told Jennifer enough.
Meanwhile, Daniel became increasingly desperate.
He sent messages about Lily.
Then about the marriage.
Then about money.
Finally.
Tell Chloe to stop talking.
Jennifer stared at the screen.
She had never told Daniel she was speaking with Chloe.
She forwarded the message to Rachel.
Rachel immediately called.
“Do not answer.”
Jennifer looked toward the front window.
“How does he know?”
“Possibly Chloe.”
“She says she hasn’t spoken to him.”
“Then someone else.”
Jennifer checked the street.
A black SUV sat two houses away.
Her heart accelerated.
Then the vehicle drove forward.
It belonged to her brother.
Jennifer exhaled.
She hated that Daniel had done this to her.
Every ordinary sound now felt loaded.
Every unknown car felt suspicious.
That evening, Jennifer’s father-in-law called.
She almost declined.
Then answered.
His voice sounded tired.
“I owe you an apology.”
“You didn’t do this.”
“I helped make him believe consequences were optional.”
Jennifer said nothing.
He continued.
“We found more foundation withdrawals.”
“How much?”
“Seventy-eight thousand dollars.”
Jennifer closed her eyes.
“Did you report it?”
“Yes.”
That surprised her.
Daniel’s father continued.
“I’m not protecting him.”
Jennifer believed him.
Then he said.
“But there’s something you should know.”
“What?”
“Daniel called me this afternoon.”
“What did he want?”
“Money.”
Jennifer almost laughed.
“Of course.”
“He said he needed fifty thousand dollars immediately.”
“For what?”
“He wouldn’t tell me.”
“Did you give it to him?”
“No.”
Jennifer waited.
His father’s voice became quieter.
“He said if I didn’t help, everything would come out.”
Jennifer frowned.
“Everything is already coming out.”
“That’s exactly what I told him.”
“What did he say?”
A pause.
“He said we still don’t know what the baptism party was actually for.”
Jennifer sat very still.
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t know.”
Then a memory returned.
Daniel had insisted on the party.
Far more elaborate than Jennifer wanted.
He had invited clients.
Bankers.
Foundation donors.
People connected to his employer.
He had controlled the guest list.
Jennifer whispered.
“The party wasn’t about Lily.”
Daniel’s father exhaled.
“What are you thinking?”
Jennifer looked toward Rachel.
“I think Daniel needed everyone in one room.”
May you like
The question was why.
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