Chapter 6 - THE SECOND SIGNATURE
Harold Sloane’s law firm was still operating, though the man himself had retired. Rocco requested a meeting with the managing partner. The partner agreed only after hearing the words “Hartwell deed.”
A young attorney named Daniel Pierce greeted them. He looked uneasy when Evelyn showed him the photograph of Thomas and Harold.
“Mr. Sloane is unavailable,” he said.
“Then you can answer our questions,” Rocco replied.
Daniel admitted that the firm had retained old property records, but the relevant archive had been transferred to a storage facility. He could not say whether the original deed was there.
As they left, Daniel slipped a note into Evelyn’s hand.
DO NOT TRUST THE PARTNER. ASK FOR BOX 19.
Rocco read the note in the car and called Frankie. Within an hour, Frankie found that Box 19 had been moved to a private warehouse owned by a company registered to Harold’s nephew.
They went there after notifying their attorney. The warehouse was full of metal shelves and old filing cabinets. Box 19 sat near the back. Its seal had been broken.
Inside were copies of the transfer documents. Rose’s signature appeared genuine. Thomas’s witness signature appeared genuine. The certification page was different. The county clerk, Walter Keene, had supposedly confirmed the transfer three days after his resignation.
Evelyn leaned closer. “Someone forged the certification.”
A voice came from behind them.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
Harold Sloane stood in the aisle, leaning on a cane. He looked frail, but his eyes were sharp.
Rocco turned. “You kept the records.”
“I kept what your father asked me to keep.”
“Did he know the transfer was false?”
Harold looked at Evelyn. “Your grandmother knew the truth. So did your father. They wanted to expose it.”
“Who forged the second signature?” Evelyn asked.
Harold lowered his eyes.
“I did.”
The confession seemed to drain the air from the warehouse.
“Why?” Rocco asked.
“I was paid. I believed the families would eventually be compensated.”
“Were they?”
“No.”
Evelyn stepped closer. “Where is the original deed?”
“Your father took it. He gave it to someone he trusted more than me.”
“Who?”
Harold’s answer was immediate.
“Margaret Hartwell.”
Rocco’s expression hardened. “You knew she had it?”
“I suspected. Your father told me he was going home. After that, he vanished.”
Evelyn stared at the old attorney. “Did you hurt him?”
Harold shook his head. “No. But I helped create the danger he was running from.”
He agreed to testify, provided the investigators protected him. Rocco called the attorney and arranged for the evidence to be secured.
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As they left, Harold called after them.
“There’s something else. The land wasn’t the only thing your father was trying to save. He discovered the investors had created a second agreement. It could still be active.”
