Arthur: Mark, I drove over as fast as I could. I saw Selena standing near the front gate with her bridal party screaming at the security guards.
Mark: Let her scream. Come inside, Arthur. Look at these documents.
Arthur placed his heavy leather briefcase on the study table and adjusted his glasses as he sat down.
Arthur: You said on the phone that you found Sarah’s real will? Mark, we probated Sarah’s estate eighteen months ago.
Mark: We probated the copy that Richard Vance provided to the court! Look at this original signature page!
Arthur picked up the yellowed document, his eyes scanning the clauses line by line. His hands began to visibly shake.
Arthur: This... this can't be real. This signature is notarized by the state supreme court clerk.
Mark: Read paragraph four, Arthur. Read it out loud.
Arthur: 'In the event of my death, all holdings in the Vance & Associates partnership, along with the five-million-dollar life insurance trust, shall pass directly into an irrevocable trust for my daughter, Lily, managed solely by Eleanor Vance.'
Mark: Now tell me what the fake will said, the one Richard handed us after Sarah’s funeral.
Arthur: The forged copy left the partnership rights to Richard Vance and placed the insurance trust under a third-party management company...
Mark: A third-party management company run by Selena’s brother, David!
Arthur: My God, Mark. This wasn't just a corporate takeover. This was financial fraud on a federal scale.
Mark: They knew Sarah was going to expose their embezzlement ring. That's why Sarah was driving to the federal courthouse the night her brakes failed on Highway 9.
Arthur: Are you telling me Sarah’s car crash wasn't an accident?
Mark: Listen to this tape cassette, Arthur. Press play.
Arthur pressed the mechanical button on the recorder. A sharp hiss filled the room, followed by two familiar voices.
Selena (Audio Tape): Richard, the brake lines are set. She won't make it past the mountain turn. Just make sure the original will in her office safe disappears before the state police arrive.
Richard (Audio Tape): Don't worry about the safe. What about the husband? Mark will ask questions.
Selena (Audio Tape): I'll handle Mark. Grief makes men weak. In a year or two, I'll walk right into his life, marry him, and take control of the remaining family real estate.
Arthur slammed his hand onto the table, his face pale as chalk.
Arthur: This is a murder confession, Mark! This goes way beyond civil court or estate theft!
Mark: That's why Selena wanted Lily out of this house today. She knew as long as Lily was here, she couldn't legally claim the full estate authority as my new wife.
Arthur: If Selena realized you found these tapes...
Mark: She doesn't know I have them. She thinks I just snapped because she was mean to Lily.
Arthur: What is your plan? We need to call the FBI immediately.
Mark: The FBI is already on their way. But first, I'm going to invite my dear bride back into the house for a little chat.
Arthur: Mark, that's dangerous! She's ruthless!
Mark: She's a thief, Arthur. And thieves always come running back when you offer them cash.
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