Chapter 4: My Dead Husband's Signature
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
The document on Tiffany's phone showed my husband's name, his old address, and a signature that looked so familiar it made my stomach turn.
Walter Bennett.
My Walter.
The man who had spent forty-two years working, saving, and making sure I would never have to worry about money after he was gone.
I reached for the phone.
"Let me see that.""
Tiffany pulled it back.
"Careful. It's confidential.""
"That document has my husband's name on it.""
"Daniel's the account holder. You don't have any right to—"
Richard interrupted her.
"Tiffany, give your mother-in-law the phone.""
She glared at him.
"Stay out of this, Dad.""
"Give her the phone.""
After a moment, Tiffany reluctantly handed it over.
I enlarged the document.
The signature was nearly perfect.
The capital W had the same unusual curve Walter always used. Even the final stroke beneath his surname looked identical.
But something bothered me.
I had watched my husband sign thousands of documents over the years.
He always wrote the date before signing.
This document showed a signature without a date beside it.
"Who submitted this?"" I asked.
Daniel stared at the carpet.
"Mom...""
"Who?""
"Tiffany handled the application.""
I turned toward her.
"Did you forge my husband's signature?""
Her expression hardened.
"Don't accuse me of something you can't prove.""
I looked at Daniel.
"And you knew about this?""
He nodded reluctantly.
"Yes.""
"How long?""
"Four months.""
My knees weakened.
Four months earlier, I'd been preparing for Walter's first birthday celebration since his death. I'd spent that afternoon sorting through his old photographs.
Meanwhile, my son had apparently been using his father's identity to secure money.
"How much did you borrow?""
Daniel swallowed.
"The first loan was ninety-two thousand.""
"And the second?""
He didn't answer.
Richard stepped forward.
"There's another loan?""
I handed him the phone.
"Apparently.""
He read the screen and looked at Daniel with disbelief.
"Where did ninety-two thousand dollars go?""
Tiffany folded her arms.
"Business expenses.""
"What business expenses?""
"Equipment. Deposits. Marketing.""
Richard shook his head.
"You told me the company was funded by your savings.""
Tiffany snapped.
"I was trying to protect you from unnecessary stress!""
"By lying to me?""
She rolled her eyes.
"Can we not do this in front of everyone?""
I looked toward the hallway.
Several guests had gathered near the office entrance. Word of the financial scandal was spreading faster than the canceled wedding services.
I didn't care.
I wanted answers.
"Daniel, did you use your father's identity to get that loan?""
He rubbed his face.
"Tiffany said it was a temporary arrangement. She said we could refinance once the business started making money.""
"Your father was dead.""
"I know!""
His voice cracked.
For the first time that evening, he looked genuinely ashamed.
"I know, Mom.""
"Then why?""
He looked at me.
"Because I was desperate.""
I waited.
He continued.
"We owed money. The event company wasn't doing well. Tiffany had already promised clients things we couldn't afford to deliver. We needed cash.""
"And instead of asking me for help, you forged documents?""
"I thought I'd fix everything before you found out.""
I stared at him.
"You thought you could steal from me and call it fixing things?""
Tiffany suddenly laughed.
"Oh, please. Daniel wasn't the only one benefiting.""
I turned toward her.
"What does that mean?""
She took her phone from Richard.
"Your husband left you a valuable property. We were trying to make that property work for the family.""
"By taking it without my permission?""
"By using it as collateral.""
Richard looked increasingly disturbed.
"That isn't what you told me.""
Tiffany ignored him.
I turned back to Daniel.
"Did you know they were planning to develop the land?""
He nodded.
"Yes.""
"And did you know Richard had already paid a deposit?""
"Yes.""
My chest tightened.
"How much?""
"Fifty thousand.""
"Where is it?""
He looked at Tiffany.
She said nothing.
Then Richard's phone rang.
He glanced at the screen and answered.
"Yes?""
A man's voice came through loudly enough for us to hear.
"Mr. Bennett, the title company needs confirmation. We're supposed to finalize the property transfer Monday morning. Are we still proceeding?""
Richard slowly looked at me.
"What property transfer?""
There was a pause on the other end.
Then the man answered.
"The Bennett parcel, sir. The one your daughter and son-in-law have been arranging.""
Richard's face turned white.
I felt the room spin.
Monday morning.
They hadn't just been planning to borrow against my land.
May you like
They had scheduled its transfer.
And apparently, someone believed the sale was already approved.
