Chapter 4: The Woman Behind the Notary Stamp
"Then we'll do it tonight.""
Tiffany's words echoed through the hallway.
I stood frozen in my bedroom, holding the property transfer document Daniel had slipped beneath my door.
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
Then I heard the front door open.
A man's voice called from downstairs.
"Mr. Bennett? You said this would only take a few minutes.""
I didn't recognize him.
Daniel answered, "Yes. My mother is upstairs. She just needs to sign a few things.""
The stranger chuckled.
"Well, let's get this finished before the morning appointment.""
My stomach tightened.
Morning appointment?
I quietly took my phone and called Susan.
"Margaret, I'm outside," she whispered.
"Why is there a strange man in your driveway?""
"Don't come inside yet. Call the police if you hear me scream.""
"What? Margaret, what's happening?""
"Please, Susan. Just stay on the phone.""
I moved toward the bedroom door and listened.
Tiffany's heels clicked across the hardwood floor.
"Daniel, did you bring the original documents?""
"Yes.""
"And the medication?""
"What medication?""
"The pills we discussed. The ones that make her sleepy.""
My blood ran cold.
Daniel lowered his voice.
"Not now, Tiffany.""
"Oh, stop pretending you're uncomfortable. We already paid the facility. We can't lose that money.""
I backed away from the door.
They weren't simply planning to convince me to move.
They were preparing something.
I opened the bedroom window and looked toward the driveway. Susan's silver SUV was parked near the mailbox.
I called her again.
"Susan, I need you to do something for me.""
"Anything.""
"Call 911. Tell them someone is attempting to force me to sign fraudulent property documents.""
"Margaret, I'm calling right now.""
I ended the call.
A moment later, someone knocked.
"Mom?"" Daniel called.
"Open up.""
"No.""
"Please. We have a lawyer here.""
I looked at the document.
"Then let your lawyer explain why my signature is already notarized.""
Silence.
Then the stranger spoke.
"Mrs. Bennett, my name is Charles Whitmore. I'm a licensed document preparation consultant. Your son has explained the situation.""
I approached the door but didn't unlock it.
"What situation?""
"Your family believes you would benefit from transferring certain property responsibilities to your son.""
"Did your family tell you I agreed?""
Another silence.
Daniel interrupted.
"Mom, don't make this difficult.""
I raised my voice.
"Charles, did you personally witness me sign this deed six days ago?""
He didn't answer.
I heard papers rustling.
Then Tiffany snapped, "Just tell her it's standard procedure!""
I stepped away from the door.
"Nobody is coming into this room without my attorney.""
Daniel's voice became sharper.
"You don't have an attorney.""
"I will.""
He laughed bitterly.
"With what money? You froze your own accounts.""
That sentence told me more than he intended.
They knew about the bank's investigation.
And they were worried.
Before I could respond, a loud knock came from the front entrance.
"Police department! We received a call regarding a possible financial crime and attempted coercion.""
Tiffany screamed.
"What? Who called them?""
Daniel hurried downstairs.
I heard the front door open.
A female officer spoke firmly.
"Sir, step away from the doorway. We need to speak with everyone inside.""
I unlocked my bedroom door and walked into the hallway.
The officer looked up at me.
"Are you Margaret Bennett?""
"Yes.""
"Are you safe right now?""
I nodded.
"Physically, yes. But my son and his wife have been trying to transfer my house without my permission.""
The officer's expression changed.
"Do you have the documents?""
I handed her the envelope.
She examined the first page, then the notarization.
"Who prepared this?""
Daniel stepped forward.
"It was just paperwork. My mother is confused about what she agreed to.""
The officer looked at him.
"Sir, I asked your mother a question.""
Tiffany folded her arms.
"This is ridiculous. We're her family.""
The officer turned toward her.
"Being family doesn't give you permission to sign someone's name or transfer their property.""
For the first time that evening, Tiffany had nothing to say.
The officers separated everyone and took photographs of the documents.
Then one of them asked me to identify the notary.
I read the name aloud.
"Rebecca Sloan.""
The officer looked at her colleague.
They exchanged a glance.
"Mrs. Bennett, do you know this woman personally?""
"No.""
"Have you ever visited her office?""
"Never.""
The officer wrote something down.
Then she asked Daniel where the original power of attorney was.
He said his attorney had it.
"Which attorney?"" she asked.
Daniel hesitated.
Tiffany answered too quickly.
"Mr. Whitmore.""
The officer turned toward Charles.
"Are you an attorney?""
He cleared his throat.
"No. I'm a document consultant.""
The officer's expression hardened.
"Then why did you allow the family to represent you as their lawyer?""
Charles looked at Daniel.
Nobody spoke.
A few minutes later, Susan entered the house and wrapped her arms around me.
"Margaret, sweetheart, I knew something was wrong.""
I held her tightly.
The officers eventually allowed Daniel and Tiffany to leave, but not before warning them not to pressure me or attempt further transactions involving my property.
Tiffany walked past me toward the door.
She stopped.
"You've ruined your own family over money.""
I looked at her.
"No, Tiffany. You did that when you decided I was worth more to you unconscious than alive.""
Her face went pale.
Then she left.
I thought the worst was over.
But when I returned to my bedroom, I found another email from the bank.
The subject line read:
*URGENT: ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT HOLDER VERIFICATION REQUIRED.*
I opened it.
There was a second application attached.
This one wasn't for a loan.
It was a request to change the ownership of my entire savings account.
And the person listed as the new primary account holder was not Daniel.
May you like
It was Rebecca Sloan.
The notary.
