After the Storm (Chapter-26)

Carissa and Paul had a long day doing research and it was becoming evident to Carissa they had discovered some answers even though there were more that needed to be found. Paul helped Carissa clear the table and put their dishes in the dishwasher. They let the dishwasher run while they took chairs in the den to discuss the evidence they did have. Carissa would start work the next day so her detective career would be coming to an end soon.

Carissa suggested, “Why don’t you take the video and the photos you had enhanced and make contact with Jacob’s heirs? They are the ones being screwed out of their inheritance and I am sure they would appreciate the information. They could go to the police and do that work without involving you, except of course for the fact that you are removed from the car and put into a trunk.”

Paul replied, “I can give them the information and what they do with it would be up to them. I would keep a copy of course but just give them the things they need. I would suggest they get an attorney who could look after their interest.”

Carissa told Paul she was going to bed so she would be ready for work.

Paul said, “I am going to research Jacob’s relatives and try to pay them a visit tomorrow.”

Paul remembered that Jacob’s wife had passed and the closest heirs were his children and siblings. He thought hard but couldn’t remember exactly who they were. He was sure he had the information with the trust he had created for Jacob.

Paul made a list of names and addresses he would contact the next day. He made multiple copies of the photos and the video to give to the family and then he set it all aside and made his way to bed. Paul had been in bed just a short time when he was sleeping. The dreams came filtering through but nothing that made any sense. Paul’s dreams were interwoven with his memories. It was possibly because he was working on the information about Jacob’s heirs or maybe it was just time to remember but he could see the meeting with Jacob just as if he was there in person. He remembered the discussion he had with Jacob and he heard Jacob telling him how he wanted the trust just like when it happened the first time.

Paul let the meeting play out in his head. He was at his desk and Jacob was on the other side of the desk, giving Paul the information he needed. Jacob told him his heirs were three children and one brother.

He said, “My children and brother would get twenty-five percent share each. My children, Adam, Daniel and Leah are all single. My brother, David has a wife named Rebekah.”

In the dream, Paul wrote the information down and placed it with the other documents he had for Jacob. He could visualize the folder he had on the corner of his desk.

The memory was clear and Paul remembered his receptionist, Evelyn, coming in to announce someone waiting to see him next. After Jacob left Evelyn walked in to introduce the next client waiting. It was Abraham, Jacob’s partner. When Paul learned that Abraham was Jacob’s partner, he advised him that he may want to consider going to a different accountant since Jacob is one of their clients.

Abraham replied, “I am fine with you representing us both.”

Paul’s dream reflected the events he remembered. He remembered Abraham asking questions about what happens in the event of a death of one of the partners. In hindsight Paul could see that Abraham was fishing for information about what would happen if Jacob was deceased. Paul remembered that he told Abraham that if Jacob died, his portion would go to Jacob’s heirs. Paul also remembered the question being asked about what would happen if a body disappeared and never surfaced again. It all fit in place and Paul remembered the conversation vividly in his dream.

The next morning Paul woke remembering the dream he had the night before and he remembered enough to know that the details were accurate. He knew the names were correct in the dream and matched the information he found when doing the internet research. He got up before the alarm sounded, so he turned it off when he got up. He headed to the kitchen and turned the coffeemaker on and decided to start a breakfast for Carissa before she had to leave for work.

The aroma from the bacon, biscuits, and hash browns slithered its way through the house and caught the attention of Carissa. It was close to time for her alarm when she woke and looked at the digital numbers on the radio clock display. She put on a robe and walked into the kitchen to find Paul busy cooking.

He looked up to see her standing there and said, “Why don’t you get your shower and I will finish the breakfast.”

Carissa went in to take a shower and Paul finished the breakfast. He had food on the table and plates set at the breakfast bar when Carissa came back from her shower. She sat at her spot and Paul handed her the platters to serve herself from. When they started eating,

Paul said, “I had a memory dream last night and I remembered the meeting I had with Jacob. I remembered all of the names he gave me of his heirs he wanted to make a trust for and they are the same as the ones I found in my research.”

Carissa asked, “Are you sure you didn’t have the dream because of the information you found through research?”

Paul replied, “No, I actually remembered it happening and then I remembered Abraham coming in and asking a lot of questions about what would happen if Jacob passed and what would happen if he just disappeared.”

Carissa was glad Paul was regaining his memory and she wasn’t surprised at the info he gave her about Abraham. Everything fit into place with his dreams and the regained memory.

Carissa finished her breakfast and hurriedly got dressed for work. Unlike in Colorado, it would take her about ten minutes to get to work from Paul’s house. Carissa gave Paul a hug before she left for work and he wished her a good day. She felt comfortable there with him. She knew there would come a time when she would need her own place but it was fine for the time being. Paul walked her to her car and watched her pull out of the drive way.

According to the research that Paul had, Adam was the oldest of the children and Paul decided to make contact with him first. He would lay his cards on the table and show him the information he had and let the young man decide on his own what needed to be done. He found the home address that Adam used but also discovered that he worked as a clerk in a law office, which was quite a coincidence since Paul thought they needed some legal advice. The information folder had a few photos and all of the personal information he needed to find him.

Additional research told Paul that Adam only worked part-time at the law office because he was attending classes in law school by day. Paul decided he would wait on campus and catch Adam coming from class. He had all of his evidence but since Adam was a law student, he would be a tough sell. Paul knew the reasonable doubt test would have to fail.

Paul parked against the curb in a visitor parking area with a two hour limit. Paul would have to watch the time but he hoped that Adam would be out of class before that. Paul laid the seat back and waited for class to let out. He had a book with him as cover to make it look like he was reading instead of watching the front of the building while he waited for Adam to appear. His patience paid off and he saw Adam exiting the door on the front of the building. Paul wanted to take it slow, he didn’t want to scare Adam away.

Paul had gathered everything to present his case, he just needed to find each heir and show them what he had. He knew there would be some skepticism over the information but he thought the video spoke for itself.