Chapter 8: The Daughter Who Filed Against Me
I looked at Brianna.
She was standing beside the fireplace, her mascara running down her cheeks.
For a moment, she seemed unable to understand what the officer had said.
Then she shook her head.
"No. That's not right.""
The officer looked at his paperwork.
"Your name appears as the person who submitted the claim.""
Brianna turned toward Marcus.
"Dad?""
Marcus stood abruptly.
"Officer, there's been a misunderstanding.""
Robert stepped forward.
"May I see the document?""
The officer handed him a copy.
Robert scanned the first page.
His expression changed.
"Vanessa, this is more serious than the loan application.""
I took the document.
It was a property interest declaration.
The filing claimed that Brianna had contributed substantial funds toward the purchase and maintenance of the house and therefore had an equitable interest in the property.
I almost dropped it.
"She contributed money?""
Brianna stepped forward.
"I helped Dad with expenses!""
I looked at her.
"What expenses?""
"Repairs. Maintenance. Things like that.""
"Name one.""
She opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
Robert examined the attached financial schedule.
"This declaration lists payments totaling $82,000.""
I stared at the number.
"Eighty-two thousand dollars?""
Marcus looked away.
Brianna suddenly found her voice.
"I helped pay for things! Dad said I deserved a share!""
Robert turned another page.
"According to this document, you claim to have made payments directly toward the purchase price.""
"That's what Dad told me to put.""
The room went silent.
The officer looked at Marcus.
"Mr. Williams, did you prepare this filing?""
Marcus shook his head.
"No. My daughter handled it.""
Brianna spun toward him.
"You told me exactly what to write!""
Marcus's face reddened.
"Don't lie.""
"I'm not lying!""
The officer raised a hand.
"Both of you need to calm down. We're trying to establish what happened.""
Robert placed the declaration on the dining table.
"Mrs. Williams, I have the original purchase records. This property was purchased using your inheritance, and we can document the payments.""
I nodded.
"Then let's do that.""
Brianna stared at me.
"You can't just take everything away from me.""
I looked at her.
"What have I taken from you?""
"This house! The money! Everything Dad promised!""
I felt an ache behind my ribs.
For six years, I'd wanted this girl to see me as family.
I'd bought her gifts, supported her education, and welcomed her into my home.
Yet she was now standing in front of police officers arguing that she deserved part of my inheritance.
"Did you ever pay the mortgage?"" I asked.
She looked at the floor.
"Did you pay the property taxes? The insurance? The repairs?""
"I helped Dad!""
"With what?""
She began crying again.
Robert interrupted gently.
"Vanessa, we should focus on the documentation. The declaration also contains a notarization.""
I looked at him.
"What does that mean?""
"It means someone certified the identity and signature of the person supposedly executing the document.""
He pointed to the bottom of the page.
The notary's name was listed.
*Elaine Porter.*
I frowned.
I knew that name.
Elaine was a woman I'd met several times at neighborhood charity events. She was a notary who had helped me with paperwork for my parents' estate.
"Robert, I know her.""
He looked at me.
"Are you certain?""
"Yes.""
He checked the date.
"Did you meet with her on this day?""
I shook my head.
"No. I was in Savannah visiting my aunt.""
Marcus suddenly spoke.
"Vanessa, this is getting out of hand.""
I turned toward him.
"Did Elaine notarize my signature?""
He looked away.
Brianna whispered, "Dad said she would help.""
The officer immediately wrote something in his notebook.
Robert closed the document.
"We'll need to contact Ms. Porter and verify whether she personally witnessed the signature.""
The officer nodded.
"That would be appropriate.""
Then he turned toward Brianna.
"Miss Williams, did you submit this declaration yourself?""
She glanced at Marcus.
"Yes.""
"Did you know the information was accurate?""
"I thought it was.""
"Did you personally witness Vanessa Williams sign it?""
Brianna shook her head.
"No.""
"Then why did you submit it?""
She began sobbing.
"My father told me it was legal.""
Marcus suddenly shouted.
"That's enough! You're an adult. Stop blaming me for everything!""
Brianna stared at him in disbelief.
"You told me I'd get the house!""
I closed my eyes.
There it was.
The real reason.
Not family.
Not gratitude.
Not a birthday party.
The house.
Brianna had believed that if she helped her father establish a claim against the property, she would eventually own part of it.
Robert stepped closer to me.
"Vanessa, I recommend that you avoid making any decisions about the property until we have reviewed all the filings. We'll also need to protect your financial accounts.""
I nodded.
"Do whatever is necessary.""
One of the officers asked whether Marcus had permission to remain in the house.
I looked at him.
For six years, I'd considered this his home too.
But now I couldn't even look at him without remembering the forged documents.
"I need time to think," I answered.
The officer nodded.
"That's understandable.""
Marcus approached me.
"Vanessa, please. Don't make me leave tonight.""
I looked at him.
"You didn't think twice about making me leave tonight.""
His eyes filled.
"I was trying to fix everything.""
"No. You were trying to take everything.""
He reached for my hand.
I stepped back.
Robert began gathering the documents.
Then his phone rang.
He looked at the caller ID and answered.
"Hello?""
He listened for several seconds.
His expression became serious.
"Are you certain?""
A pause.
"Send it to me immediately.""
He ended the call.
"What happened?"" I asked.
Robert looked at Marcus.
"The notary has responded.""
My stomach tightened.
"What did she say?""
Robert lowered his voice.
"She says she never notarized this declaration.""
Brianna went completely still.
Robert continued.
"She also says someone stole her notary seal several weeks ago.""
I stared at the document.
Then I looked at Brianna.
"Who had access to it?""
Nobody answered.
Until Tyler slowly raised his hand.
"I know.""
Everyone turned toward him.
May you like
He swallowed.
"Because I was the one who picked it up.""
