Chapter 14 - THE MOTHER WHO SIGNED THE ORDERDominic refused to believe the document.
His mother had spent twelve years protecting him. She had helped locate his father, supported the investigation, and risked her own safety to uncover Anthony's crimes.
Now her signature appeared on the final order connected to Richard Reed's death.
Maya looked at the paper.
"Could it be forged?"
Daniel examined it carefully.
"Possibly. We need an expert to authenticate it."
Dominic immediately called Isabella.
She arrived at the diner within thirty minutes.
When she saw the document, she sat down.
For several moments, she said nothing.
Then she whispered, "I remember this."
Dominic stared at her.
"Mother?"
Isabella explained that Anthony had once brought her a document shortly before the fire.
He claimed it was an authorization to move several employees to a different location.
She had signed it because she believed the workers were in danger.
"Did you know Richard was involved?"
"No."
"Did you know my father was being threatened?"
"Yes. But I didn't know what Anthony was planning."
Dominic looked devastated.
"Your signature helped him."
Isabella nodded.
"I know."
Maya felt sympathy for her, but she also understood the consequences.
"Did Margaret know?"
"She discovered the truth afterward. She told me that Anthony had used my signature to authorize the transfer of the building's security staff before the fire."
Daniel examined the date.
The document was real.
But the signature had been used outside its intended purpose.
Dominic sat beside his mother.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I was ashamed."
He looked away.
For years, he had believed his family had been destroyed by strangers.
Now every revelation pointed toward someone he had loved or trusted.
Isabella reached for his hand.
"I didn't order anyone to hurt Richard. I swear."
Dominic remained silent.
Maya looked at the document again.
There was another name at the bottom.
A witness.
Victor Hail.
Daniel noticed it too.
"Victor signed this as the person receiving the order."
Dominic stood.
"Then he knows exactly what happened."
Thomas entered.
"Boss, we have a location."
"Victor?"
"Yes. He was seen entering a private garage in New Jersey."
Dominic instructed the officers to coordinate an arrest.
But before they could leave, Isabella spoke.
"There's something else."
Everyone turned.
"Anthony didn't choose me randomly. He knew I would sign the document because he told me Richard's daughter was in danger."
Maya stared.
"He knew I was alive?"
Isabella nodded.
"Yes."
"Why would he want me moved?"
"Because your father had hidden the original transfer documents with you."
Maya felt a chill.
"Where?"
Isabella looked at the notebook.
"Your mother carried them the night of the fire. Margaret recovered them afterward."
Daniel examined the photograph of Maya's parents.
He noticed a small pendant around her mother's neck.
A silver locket.
Maya remembered seeing it in Margaret's jewelry box.
She had kept it for years.
She had never opened it.
Daniel looked at her.
"Do you still have that necklace?"
Maya nodded slowly.
"At my apartment."
Dominic glanced toward the door.
"Then we're going there."
But before anyone could move, the lights in the diner flickered.
A car horn sounded outside.
Then Maya's phone rang.
The caller ID showed a private number.
She answered.
A man's voice spoke.
"Hello, Maya. It's time we met."
May you like
She recognized the voice from the old recordings.
Raymond Cross.
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