Chapter 11: The Document## Chapter 11: The Document He Hid He Hid for Six Months
At eight the for Six Months
At eight the next morning, my attorney called with instructions to bring next morning, my attorney called with instructions to bring the letter I had found in my mother's estate folder to her office.
“Don't write the letter I had found in my mother's estate folder to her office.
“Don't write on it, don't separate it from the other papers, and bring the folder exactly on it, don't separate it from the other papers, and bring the folder exactly as you found it,” she said.
“We need to establish where this document came from and what as you found it,” she said.
“We need to establish where this document came from and what it was intended to authorize.””
I placed the blue folder inside my bag.
Before leaving, it was intended to authorize.””
I placed the blue folder inside my bag.
Before leaving, I glanced at the photograph of my mother on the hallway wall. She was standing in her garden, wearing I glanced at the photograph of my mother on the hallway wall. She was standing in her garden, wearing an old straw hat and smiling at something outside the frame.
“I won't let him use an old straw hat and smiling at something outside the frame.
“I won't let him use your name,” I whispered.
Then I locked the door.
My attorney, Jennifer Moore your name,” I whispered.
Then I locked the door.
My attorney, Jennifer Moore, met me in a conference room overlooking downtown Nashville. She wore a charcoal suit and had already arranged the, met me in a conference room overlooking downtown Nashville. She wore a charcoal suit and had already arranged the documents I had emailed her into separate folders.
“Show me the letter,” she said.
I documents I had emailed her into separate folders.
“Show me the letter,” she said.
I handed it over.
She studied the front, turned it over, and examined the handwritten reference handed it over.
She studied the front, turned it over, and examined the handwritten reference to Blue Harbor Holdings.
“Do you remember receiving this?””
“No. I remember Daniel to Blue Harbor Holdings.
“Do you remember receiving this?””
“No. I remember Daniel asking me to sign something about our household financial records, but I told him I wanted to read it first. He asking me to sign something about our household financial records, but I told him I wanted to read it first. He said he'd bring it back later.””
“Did you ever sign it?””
“Never.””
Jennifer placed the letter beside the investment spreadsheet.
“The dates are significant. This document said he'd bring it back later.””
“Did you ever sign it?””
“Never.””
Jennifer placed the letter beside the investment spreadsheet.
“The dates are significant. This document predates the lake house transaction by several months. We need to determine whether it was part of an earlier attempt to obtain financing or whether predates the lake house transaction by several months. We need to determine whether it was part of an earlier attempt to obtain financing or whether it served another purpose.””
She picked up her phone and called the financial institution associated with the reference number it served another purpose.””
She picked up her phone and called the financial institution associated with the reference number.
After identifying herself and providing the relevant information, she requested that the institution preserve.
After identifying herself and providing the relevant information, she requested that the institution preserve its records and review the inquiry through the appropriate procedures.
When she ended the call, she looked at me its records and review the inquiry through the appropriate procedures.
When she ended the call, she looked at me.
“They've confirmed that the reference number relates to an application inquiry involving a proposed.
“They've confirmed that the reference number relates to an application inquiry involving a proposed credit facility. They haven't yet confirmed whether your information was used without credit facility. They haven't yet confirmed whether your information was used without authorization, and no conclusion has been reached about whether the application progressed beyond the authorization, and no conclusion has been reached about whether the application progressed beyond the inquiry stage.””
“What was the amount?””
“That's still being verified.””
I sat back.
“How much more inquiry stage.””
“What was the amount?””
“That's still being verified.””
I sat back.
“How much more is there, Jennifer?””
“I can't tell you yet. But we're doing the right thing by examining is there, Jennifer?””
“I can't tell you yet. But we're doing the right thing by examining the records instead of relying on Daniel's explanations.””
She opened another folder.
“This is the draft separation agreement Lauren the records instead of relying on Daniel's explanations.””
She opened another folder.
“This is the draft separation agreement Lauren provided. I've compared it with the investment documents. The language is concerning because it describes your participation in the transaction as voluntary, even though you dispute having provided.
I've compared it with the investment documents. The language is concerning because it describes your participation in the transaction as voluntary, even though you dispute having authorized it.””
“So he planned to divorce me?””
“It's a draft, not authorized it.””
“So he planned to divorce me?””
“It's a draft, not proof that he intended to file for divorce. However, we should establish why it was prepared and what Daniel intended to do with it.””
I looked at the proof that he intended to file for divorce. However, we should establish why it was prepared and what Daniel intended to do with it.””
I looked at the page where Daniel's name appeared.
For six years, I had thought our biggest problem page where Daniel's name appeared.
For six years, I had thought our biggest problem was that he couldn't manage money.
I had believed that if I worked harder, saved more was that he couldn't manage money.
I had believed that if I worked harder, saved more, and gave him enough time, he would eventually become the partner I needed.
Instead, he had apparently been planning financial transactions around, and gave him enough time, he would eventually become the partner I needed.
Instead, he had apparently been planning financial transactions around a version of me who never asked questions.
Jennifer slid a printed a version of me who never asked questions.
Jennifer slid a printed email across the table.
“This came from Lauren's records. Read the exchange at email across the table.
“This came from Lauren's records. Read the exchange at the bottom.””
The email was dated five months earlier.
*Daniel:* We need a clean separation between personal assets and the bottom.””
The email was dated five months earlier.
*Daniel:* We need a clean separation between personal assets and the investment company.
*Lauren:* Sarah hasn't agreed to invest anything yet.
*Daniel:* She will the investment company.
*Lauren:* Sarah hasn't agreed to invest anything yet.
*Daniel:* She will. The important thing is to have the structure ready.
*Lauren:* What if she refuses?
*Daniel:* Then we'll need a different approach. I. The important thing is to have the structure ready.
*Lauren:* What if she refuses?
*Daniel:* Then we'll need a different approach. I can't have her controlling the assets once they're transferred.
My stomach tightened.
“ can't have her controlling the assets once they're transferred.
My stomach tightened.
“Transferred where?””
“We don't know yet,” Jennifer said.
“The email doesn't specify the destination. We'll request further records and determine whether the proposedTransferred where?””
“We don't know yet,” Jennifer said.
“The email doesn't specify the destination. We'll request further records and determine whether the proposed transfer was ever implemented.””
She pointed to the next line.
*Lauren:* Are you planning to tell her about Blue Harbor?
**Daniel transfer was ever implemented.””
She pointed to the next line.
*Lauren:* Are you planning to tell her about Blue Harbor?
*Daniel:* Not until we have the property secured.
I stared at the screen.
The company had existed long before:** Not until we have the property secured.
I stared at the screen.
The company had existed long before the birthday dinner, long before the supposed investment opportunity, and long before Daniel had handed me that $ the birthday dinner, long before the supposed investment opportunity, and long before Daniel had handed me that $5,800 bill.
“Jennifer, can we find out who owns Blue Harbor?””
“We're examining the public registration records and the5,800 bill.
“Jennifer, can we find out who owns Blue Harbor?””
“We're examining the public registration records and the available company documents. The listed manager is Melissa Grant. We haven't established whether she is acting available company documents.
The listed manager is Melissa Grant. We haven't established whether she is acting independently or on someone else's instructions.””
“Can you contact her?””
“We can make an appropriate inquiry. We shouldn't assume she's involved in independently or on someone else's instructions.””
“Can you contact her?””
“We can make an appropriate inquiry. We shouldn't assume she's involved in wrongdoing simply because her name appears in the records.””
Jennifer made several notes before looking up.
“One more thing. Your wrongdoing simply because her name appears in the records.””
Jennifer made several notes before looking up.
“One more thing. Your bank has confirmed that the attempted $85,000 transfer remains blocked. The lender has also acknowledged receipt bank has confirmed that the attempted $85,000 transfer remains blocked.
The lender has also acknowledged receipt of your dispute concerning the guarantee. We are continuing to work through the other institutions identified in the documents.””
I nodded.
For the first time in days, I felt of your dispute concerning the guarantee. We are continuing to work through the other institutions identified in the documents.””
I nodded.
For the first time in days, I felt as though someone was helping me assemble the truth rather as though someone was helping me assemble the truth rather than demanding that I accept another explanation.
At noon, I returned home.
An unfamiliar sedan was parked across the street.
A woman stood beside it, checking than demanding that I accept another explanation.
At noon, I returned home.
An unfamiliar sedan was parked across the street.
A woman stood beside it, checking her phone. She looked to be in her forties, with short brown hair and a cream-colored coat.
When I approached my her phone. She looked to be in her forties, with short brown hair and a cream-colored coat.
When I approached my front walk, she turned.
“Are you Sarah?””
I stopped several feet away.
“Who are front walk, she turned.
“Are you Sarah?””
I stopped several feet away.
“Who are you?””
“Melissa Grant.””
My heart skipped.
The woman listed as the manager of Blue Harbor Holdings.
I kept you?””
“Melissa Grant.””
My heart skipped.
The woman listed as the manager of Blue Harbor Holdings.
I kept my hand near my phone.
“Why are you here?””
“Because I received a call my hand near my phone.
“Why are you here?””
“Because I received a call from your attorney's office asking about the company, and I thought it was time someone from your attorney's office asking about the company, and I thought it was time someone told you the truth.””
“Then tell me.””
She glanced told you the truth.””
“Then tell me.””
She glanced toward the street.
“Not out here. I have documents, and I don't want to leave toward the street.
“Not out here. I have documents, and I don't want to leave them in my car.””
I didn't invite her inside.
Instead, I called Jennifer them in my car.””
I didn't invite her inside.
Instead, I called Jennifer and explained who was standing in front of me. Jennifer asked Melissa to wait while and explained who was standing in front of me. Jennifer asked Melissa to wait while she verified her identity and arranged a meeting at her office.
Melissa agreed.
An hour later, she sat across from us she verified her identity and arranged a meeting at her office.
Melissa agreed.
An hour later, she sat across from us in the same conference room where I had examined the documents that morning.
She placed a thick folder on the table.
“I registered Blue in the same conference room where I had examined the documents that morning.
She placed a thick folder on the table.
“I registered Blue Harbor Holdings,” she began.
“Daniel approached me last year about helping establish a company Harbor Holdings,” she began.
“Daniel approached me last year about helping establish a company for property investments. He said he had investors lined up and needed someone to manage the administrative side.””
“Did for property investments. He said he had investors lined up and needed someone to manage the administrative side.””
“Did you invest any money?”” Jennifer asked.
“No. My compensation was supposed to come from company management you invest any money?”” Jennifer asked.
“No. My compensation was supposed to come from company management fees. I was never told that Sarah's savings or home would be used to support the purchase fees. I was never told that Sarah's savings or home would be used to support the purchase.””
“Did you sign any documents concerning the lake house?””
Melissa nodded reluctantly.
.””
“Did you sign any documents concerning the lake house?””
Melissa nodded reluctantly.
“I signed the company registration documents and an initial management agreement. But I did not sign the personal guarantee bearing Sarah“I signed the company registration documents and an initial management agreement. But I did not sign the personal guarantee bearing Sarah's name, and I never authorized anyone to sign on my behalf.””
Jennifer leaned forward.
“Do you have copies?””
“Yes.””
's name, and I never authorized anyone to sign on my behalf.””
Jennifer leaned forward.
“Do you have copies?””
“Yes.””
Melissa opened the folder.
Inside were company records, email exchanges, and a draft agreement identifying Blue Harbor as theMelissa opened the folder.
Inside were company records, email exchanges, and a draft agreement identifying Blue Harbor as the proposed recipient of the property after the initial purchase.
The transfer proposed recipient of the property after the initial purchase.
The transfer had been planned before the birthday dinner.
I looked at her.
“Why didn't you contact me earlier?””
“ had been planned before the birthday dinner.
I looked at her.
“Why didn't you contact me earlier?””
“Because I didn't know you existed as an alleged investor until I saw the funding schedule. DanielBecause I didn't know you existed as an alleged investor until I saw the funding schedule. Daniel had described the capital as coming from an unnamed private source.
When I saw your name, I asked him whether had described the capital as coming from an unnamed private source. When I saw your name, I asked him whether you had approved the arrangement.””
“What did he say?””
“He said you were his wife and that everything had been agreed privately you had approved the arrangement.””
“What did he say?””
“He said you were his wife and that everything had been agreed privately.””
“And you believed him?””
“At first. But when I asked for a.””
“And you believed him?””
“At first. But when I asked for a copy of your signed investment agreement, he sent me a document with a signature that didn't match the sample he'd previously provided.””
Jennifer stopped copy of your signed investment agreement, he sent me a document with a signature that didn't match the sample he'd previously provided.””
Jennifer stopped writing.
“What sample?””
Melissa took another sheet from the folder.
It was a scanned document bearing my name.
But the signature was different from the one on the bank authorization.
writing.
“What sample?””
Melissa took another sheet from the folder.
It was a scanned document bearing my name.
But the signature was different from the one on the bank authorization.
It looked like a genuine signature from an old document.
I stared at it.
“ThatIt looked like a genuine signature from an old document.
I stared at it.
“That isn't an agreement to invest in property,” I said.
“It's a form I signed years isn't an agreement to invest in property,” I said.
“It's a form I signed years ago to authorize Daniel to collect a package on my behalf.””
Melissa nodded.
“That's what I thought. I told him I wouldn't process ago to authorize Daniel to collect a package on my behalf.””
Melissa nodded.
“That's what I thought. I told him I wouldn't process any further changes until the paperwork was verified.””
“When was this?””
“Three weeks ago.””
Three weeks.
any further changes until the paperwork was verified.””
“When was this?””
“Three weeks ago.””
Three weeks.
Daniel had been trying to build the transaction while I was still unaware that a lake house existed.
Jennifer carefullyDaniel had been trying to build the transaction while I was still unaware that a lake house existed.
Jennifer carefully placed the document in a separate sleeve.
“We'll preserve this and review its source. Melissa, we'll placed the document in a separate sleeve.
“We'll preserve this and review its source. Melissa, we'll need your cooperation in establishing the company's records and the communications you received.””
“I'll cooperate.””
Before leaving, Melissa turned need your cooperation in establishing the company's records and the communications you received.””
“I'll cooperate.””
Before leaving, Melissa turned toward me.
“There's something else you should know. Daniel asked me to prepare a transfer instruction yesterday. He wanted toward me.
“There's something else you should know. Daniel asked me to prepare a transfer instruction yesterday. He wanted Blue Harbor to receive the property once the purchase closed.””
“Did you prepare it?””
“I Blue Harbor to receive the property once the purchase closed.””
“Did you prepare it?””
“I drafted a document, but I didn't sign or submit it. I became concerned when I realized the ownership structure wasn't what he'd described.””
Jennifer drafted a document, but I didn't sign or submit it. I became concerned when I realized the ownership structure wasn't what he'd described.””
Jennifer asked her to provide the draft and any related messages.
Melissa agreed asked her to provide the draft and any related messages.
Melissa agreed.
As she stood, she looked at me with an expression that was difficult to read.
“I'm sorry,” she said..
As she stood, she looked at me with an expression that was difficult to read.
“I'm sorry,” she said.
“I should have questioned him sooner.””
I watched her leave.
Then “I should have questioned him sooner.””
I watched her leave.
Then Jennifer opened the last document Melissa had brought.
It was a transfer instruction dated two days before the birthday dinner.
The proposed recipient was Blue Harbor Holdings.
The Jennifer opened the last document Melissa had brought.
It was a transfer instruction dated two days before the birthday dinner.
The proposed recipient was Blue Harbor Holdings.
The property would be transferred immediately after closing.
And the authorization section contained two signatures property would be transferred immediately after closing.
And the authorization section contained two signatures.
One belonged to Daniel.
The other was supposedly mine.
But beneath my name was a witness.
One belonged to Daniel.
The other was supposedly mine.
But beneath my name was a witness statement identifying someone I knew.
Someone who had sat at Robert statement identifying someone I knew.
Someone who had sat at Robert's birthday dinner and watched Daniel slide the $5,800 bill toward me.
My husband's sister.
Van's birthday dinner and watched Daniel slide the $5,800 bill toward me.
May you like
My husband's sister.
Vanessa.
