Chapter 5: The Signature That Wasn't Mine
Susan sat beside me at the kitchen table while I read the bank's email for the third time.
"Who is Rebecca Sloan?"" she asked.
"The woman who supposedly witnessed my signature.""
"Could she be working with Daniel?""
"I don't know.""
Susan reached for her reading glasses.
"Margaret, look at this.""
She pointed toward the bottom of the email.
There was a reference number and a note indicating that the ownership-change request had been submitted using an identity verification procedure.
I called the bank.
Patricia answered after two transfers.
"Mrs. Bennett, I'm glad you called. Our security department has identified another suspicious submission.""
"Someone is trying to make Rebecca Sloan the owner of my savings account.""
"That's correct.""
"How is that even possible?""
"Someone submitted documentation claiming that you had transferred beneficial ownership of the account.""
I pressed my fingers against my forehead.
"Can you tell me when?""
"Yesterday afternoon.""
I looked at Susan.
Yesterday.
While I'd been preparing food for my birthday celebration, someone had been trying to take ownership of my money.
"Patricia, I need every document connected to this request.""
"We can send copies after completing identity verification.""
"Do it.""
She paused.
"Mrs. Bennett, there's something else.""
My stomach tightened.
"What?""
"The application contains a scanned copy of your driver's license.""
I frowned.
"Daniel has never had my driver's license.""
"Someone also submitted a photograph of you holding a handwritten statement confirming the transfer.""
I stopped breathing.
"What photograph?""
"It appears to show you signing the ownership declaration.""
"That's impossible. I've never seen that document.""
Patricia lowered her voice.
"Would you like us to escalate this as suspected identity fraud?""
"Yes. And I want the account completely protected.""
"We'll begin the process.""
After the call, Susan stared at me.
"Margaret, someone must have access to your personal documents.""
I thought about the house.
My filing cabinet.
The old paperwork Robert and I had kept in our study.
Then I remembered something.
Three months earlier, Daniel had asked to borrow my spare house key because he needed to collect some boxes while I was visiting my sister.
I'd given it to him without hesitation.
He'd returned it the following day.
Or so I thought.
I stood up and walked to the hallway cabinet where I kept the spare keys.
The little brass hook was empty.
I checked the kitchen drawer.
Nothing.
"Daniel still has a key," I whispered.
Susan's face tightened.
"Then we're changing the locks.""
Before we could make arrangements, my phone rang.
It was Lily.
I answered immediately.
"Hello, sweetheart.""
"Grandma?""
Her voice was barely audible.
"What's wrong?""
"Mommy says I can't talk to you.""
I sat down.
"Are you safe?""
"Yes.""
"Where's Daddy?""
"In the garage.""
"Okay. Listen carefully. Did you see anything else in that folder?""
She sniffled.
"There's another folder.""
"What does it say?""
"Grandma's house.""
My heart began pounding.
"Where is it?""
"Under Daddy's desk.""
"What did you see, sweetheart?""
She whispered something that made my blood turn cold.
"There's a picture of your house with a red line through it.""
I closed my eyes.
"What else?""
"A paper that says SOLD.""
Before I could ask another question, I heard Tiffany shouting in the background.
"Lily! Who are you talking to?""
The call disconnected.
I immediately called Daniel.
He answered angrily.
"Mom, why are you calling Lily?""
"Because she's my granddaughter.""
"She's supposed to be getting ready for bed.""
"Then explain why there's a document saying my house has been sold.""
He laughed.
"You're imagining things.""
"Your daughter saw it.""
"She's seven. She doesn't understand paperwork.""
"Then you should have no problem explaining it.""
He sighed.
"Mom, you're making accusations you can't prove.""
"Where is the house sale agreement?""
There was a pause.
Then he said, "You should stop digging around in things you don't understand.""
I felt something shift inside me.
"Daniel, I understand perfectly. Someone is trying to steal my house.""
He hung up.
Susan was already standing.
"We're going to the police station.""
I nodded.
But before leaving, I opened the old cabinet in Robert's study.
It contained a metal document box.
Robert had insisted that we keep all our property papers in one place.
I found the original deed, the mortgage discharge certificate, and a folder marked ESTATE PLANNING.
Inside was a letter from Robert's attorney.
I hadn't opened it since the funeral.
The letter explained that Robert had created a separate property protection trust shortly before his death.
I frowned.
I remembered signing paperwork, but I'd never fully understood the arrangement.
According to the letter, the house had been transferred into a revocable living trust, with me as the sole current trustee and beneficiary during my lifetime.
That meant nobody could simply transfer ownership without the required authorization.
I read the next paragraph.
Then I found a phone number.
The attorney's name was Thomas Reed.
I called immediately.
"Thomas Reed's office.""
"This is Margaret Bennett. Robert Bennett was my husband.""
There was a pause.
Then a familiar voice answered.
"Margaret? It's been a long time. Is everything all right?""
"No, Thomas. Someone is trying to steal my house.""
His voice became serious.
"Have you signed anything recently?""
"No.""
"Has anyone attempted to transfer the property?""
"Yes. My son and his wife.""
He was quiet for several seconds.
Then he asked a question I hadn't expected.
"Margaret, did they mention the trust?""
"No.""
"Good. Don't tell them anything yet.""
"Why?""
Thomas lowered his voice.
"Because Robert anticipated that someone might eventually try to pressure you into giving up control of your property.""
I gripped the phone.
"What did my husband know?""
Thomas took a breath.
"Margaret, I think you need to come to my office tomorrow morning. There is something in Robert's estate file that you were never told.""
"What is it?""
May you like
He hesitated.
"Your husband left specific instructions about what to do if Daniel ever tried to take your house.""
