Chapter 10: The House That Was Never Sold
“Why are you smiling?””
Daniel’s expression changed immediately.
The smile disappeared.
“I’m not.””
“You were.””
The police officer beside him looked between us.
I held up Michael’s phone.
“Why does Emily Bennett live in my father’s house?””
Daniel’s face remained carefully blank.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.””
“Lake Forest. Hawthorne Lane.””
Nothing.
But his eyes betrayed him.
He knew.
Michael stepped closer.
“Mr. Carter, the guardianship petition lists Emily Rose Bennett at 417 Hawthorne Lane.””
Daniel turned toward him.
“You shouldn't have access to that.””
Michael’s eyebrows lifted.
“That’s your concern?””
Daniel realized his mistake.
I felt something inside me settle.
The panic was disappearing.
Every lie Daniel told was becoming another thread.
And finally, I could see where to pull.
“You told me the house was sold nine years ago.””
“It was.””
“To whom?””
“I don't remember.””
“You handled the sale.””
“That was almost a decade ago.””
“You remember quarterly revenue from twelve years ago, but not who bought my childhood home?””
Daniel looked toward the officer.
“My wife is trying to turn a financial disagreement into—”
“Don't call me your wife.””
He stopped.
The officer asked, “Ma'am, do you own the property?””
“I thought I didn't.””
That sounded insane even to me.
Michael interrupted.
“We can check county records.””
He opened his laptop again.
Minutes later, we had the answer.
The house had never been sold.
A quitclaim deed had transferred it nine years earlier.
From:
*Sarah Elizabeth Carter*
To:
*Hawthorne Family Trust*
Trustee:
*Daniel Carter*
My knees nearly gave out.
“I never signed this.””
Michael enlarged the deed.
There was my signature.
Another forgery.
Emily covered her mouth.
“Sarah...””
Daniel stepped forward.
“That transfer was done with her father's estate plan.””
“My father was already dead.””
“He arranged it beforehand.””
“Then why is my signature on it?””
Daniel didn't answer.
Michael searched further.
The current trustee had changed four years ago.
New trustee:
*Emily Rose Bennett.*
“Who is she?”” I demanded.
Daniel's jaw tightened.
“You should ask your father.””
“My father is dead.””
“Exactly.””
The cruelty in that word silenced everyone.
Even Daniel seemed to realize he'd gone too far.
The police officer stepped closer to him.
“Sir, I suggest you stop engaging.””
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“You all think Sarah is the victim.””
I stared at him.
“Aren't I?””
His eyes met mine.
“You've been living off things you never understood for eleven years.””
“Then explain them.””
“I tried.””
“When?””
“Every time I told you to stay out of company matters.””
Vanessa let out a stunned laugh.
“That isn't an explanation.””
Daniel looked at her.
“You should be especially careful right now.””
“Is that a threat?””
“It's advice.””
Michael leaned toward me.
“Don't continue this conversation.””
But I needed one answer.
“Did you forge the deed?””
Daniel smiled faintly.
“You keep using that word.””
“Because my signature keeps appearing on things I never signed.””
“Maybe you don't remember everything you've signed.””
There it was.
The strategy again.
Not denial.
Doubt.
Make Sarah question herself.
Make everyone question Sarah.
I stepped back.
“We're done.””
His face tightened.
“Sarah.””
I turned away.
“Tell the police whatever you want.””
“Sarah!””
I kept walking.
Behind me, he called one final thing.
“Your father wasn't protecting you!””
I stopped.
Daniel continued.
“He was protecting himself.””
I turned.
“What does that mean?””
The officer told him, “Sir.””
Daniel ignored him.
“You want to know who Emily Bennett is?””
“Yes.””
His eyes moved to Michael.
Then Vanessa.
Then my sister.
“No audience.””
I almost laughed.
“You lost the privilege of private conversations with me.””
“Then stay ignorant.””
The police escorted Daniel toward the elevator.
Just before the doors closed, he looked at me.
“Ask yourself why your father knew her name.””
Then he disappeared.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Emily finally whispered, “We're going to that house.””
Michael shook his head.
“Not tonight.””
“Yes, tonight.””
“There is a guardianship hearing tomorrow morning.””
“And a stranger is living in Sarah's childhood home.””
“Which may be relevant to the hearing. That is exactly why we shouldn't rush into it without documenting everything.””
Vanessa suddenly raised her hand.
“I might know how to find out who Emily Bennett is.””
We looked at her.
“Daniel keeps archived executive files at the company.””
Michael frowned.
“What kind?””
“Background checks. Investors. Board members. Anyone connected to major transactions.””
“Would Bennett be there?””
“If she has anything to do with Carter Strategic, yes.””
I looked at the clock.
After midnight.
“Can we get inside?””
Vanessa hesitated.
“My access might still work.””
Emily stared at her.
“Or Daniel could be waiting.””
Vanessa nodded.
“He probably is.””
Michael said, “Then nobody goes.””
My phone rang.
Unknown number again.
I answered without speaking.
The distorted voice returned.
“You're finally asking the right question.””
“Who are you?””
“If you want to know who Emily Bennett is, don't go to Carter Strategic.””
My skin prickled.
“Where do I go?””
A pause.
Then:
“Go home.””
“My house?””
“No.””
The caller almost sounded amused.
“Your real home.””
The line disconnected.
Seconds later, an image arrived.
A photograph of 417 Hawthorne Lane.
Taken tonight.
One upstairs window glowed yellow.
Emily stared over my shoulder.
“Someone's there.””
Michael looked at the photograph.
Then at me.
“No. Absolutely not.””
I zoomed in.
A woman stood behind the upstairs curtain.
Only a silhouette.
But she seemed to be looking directly toward whoever took the photograph.
Another message arrived.
*She knows you're coming.*
I stared at the house where I had grown up.
The house Daniel said was gone.
The house now controlled by a woman my dying father had warned me about.
May you like
And beneath the photograph came one final message.
*Bring the necklace.*
