Year Five: The Perfect Goodbye Plan novel Chapter 73

Silvia retreated to her bedroom, the photograph clutched in her hand.

She traced a finger absentmindedly over the name “Wilhelmina,” as if searching for a clue that might ease her tangled doubts.

To her family, Wilhelmina’s passing was a closed chapter, long since grieved and laid to rest.

If Silvia voiced her suspicions, based solely on a single photograph, she knew it would only stir up needless worry.

She couldn’t bear to trouble them any further.

After a moment’s deliberation, Silvia reached out to a private investigator’s office. They agreed on a time, and by three in the afternoon, she was on her way to the meeting spot.

Nimbus Coffee.

As Silvia stepped inside, she spotted a middle-aged man in the corner, glasses perched on his nose. She made her way over.

“Hello, are you Mr. Johnny?” she asked politely, offering a gentle smile.

Johnny adjusted his glasses and nodded, gesturing for her to take the seat across from him.

They sat face-to-face. Johnny slid a cup of coffee toward her, his tone calm and professional. “Miss Ashford, what would you like me to investigate?”

Silvia placed the photograph on the table and slid it toward him. “There are two estate documents in this photo,” she said quietly. “I suspect the one with Vianne’s name may have legal standing. First, I need you to find out whether Vianne actually received any inheritance. Second…” She paused and drew out a folder she’d prepared, filled with Wilhelmina’s medical records. “I want you to look into my grandmother Wilhelmina’s cause of death.”

Johnny took the photograph, retrieving a magnifying glass from his briefcase to examine the writing more closely.

Silvia waited patiently, letting him work in silence.

After a few minutes, Johnny’s expression grew more complicated. He looked at Silvia, his gaze uncertain, and shook his head.

“Miss Ashford, do you have anything else with your grandmother’s handwriting?” he asked.

Noticing the change in his demeanor, Silvia’s heart began to race. “I do. Why do you need her handwriting?”

“I’d like to run a handwriting comparison,” Johnny said, his brow furrowing. “I suspect the name ‘Vianne’ may have been forged. Of course, it’s also possible your grandmother’s handwriting changed near the end—her grip might have weakened, which can cause subtle differences.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify