Chapter 11 - THE DOCTOR'S STATEMENT|
The doctor's name was Alan Whitcomb.
He had treated my grandfather for several years and had been present when the trust documents were finalized. His statement claimed that my grandfather had suffered cognitive decline and could not have understood the legal structure he signed.
If the statement were true, the trust could be challenged.
If it were false, someone had deliberately tried to dismantle the foundation of my family's estate.
Daniel read the document twice.
"Something is wrong."
"What?"
"The statement says Whitcomb examined your grandfather on June 12."
"That was the day the trust was signed."
"Yes. But the hospital records show Whitcomb was overseas."
I looked at the signature.
"Then he didn't write this."
"Or someone forged his statement."
We contacted the doctor through his current medical practice. He was eighty-two, retired, and living in Connecticut.
He agreed to meet us.
When we arrived, he was waiting in a small study filled with medical books.
"I never signed that statement," he said immediately.
Daniel placed the document on the desk.
"Do you recognize the signature?"
Whitcomb studied it.
"It's a reasonable imitation. But I never wrote these words."
"Did you examine my grandfather that day?"
"No. I examined him the week before. He was alert, oriented, and perfectly capable of understanding the trust arrangement."
"Did he ever express concerns about Margaret?"
The doctor looked at me.
"Your grandfather was worried about her influence over the family."
"What did he say?"
"He said she was charming when she wanted something and dangerous when she believed she was being denied it."
I looked down.
That sounded like my grandfather.
Whitcomb opened a drawer and removed a small notebook.
"I kept private notes from important consultations. Your grandfather asked me to record his mental condition before signing the trust documents."
The entry was dated June 5.
It described my grandfather as fully competent, aware of his assets, and clear about his intention to place them under a family trust.
"Would you be willing to provide this to the court?"
"Yes."
Daniel nodded.
"That will help."
Whitcomb hesitated.
"There is something else."
He turned to me.
"Your mother visited me shortly before she died. She was frightened."
"What did she say?"
"She believed someone had been giving her medication that made her confused."
My stomach tightened.
"Did she name the person?"
"She said the medication came through the family household. But she didn't know who had arranged it."
"Did you investigate?"
"I recommended that she undergo additional testing. She refused. She said she needed to protect you first."
I felt a painful pressure behind my eyes.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was asked not to. Your mother believed that if the family knew she was suspicious, the evidence would disappear."
He gave Daniel a small envelope.
"This is a copy of the prescription history. There are entries that don't match her medical records."
Daniel opened it.
The medication had been prescribed by a clinic that did not exist at the listed address.
The physician's name was unfamiliar.
But the billing address belonged to Brooks Advisory Services.
I stared at the paper.
"Margaret."
Whitcomb nodded.
"I cannot tell you what happened. I can only tell you that your mother was right to be concerned."
On the drive back to New York, Daniel received another call.
May you like
The independent auditor had found evidence of unauthorized transfers from the estate.
And the largest payment had been made to a private account held in Ethan's name.
