Chapter 10: The Original Document
"Who does Daniel claim owns my house?""
I was standing in Linda Miller's living room, holding the phone so tightly my fingers hurt.
Vanessa was crying.
"He says Patricia owns it. He says your father transferred everything to her before he died.""
I looked at Rebecca.
She immediately reached for the trust declaration.
"Ask Vanessa whether Daniel showed her the original document.""
I repeated the question.
"He sent me a photograph," Vanessa answered.
"It has your father's signature, a witness signature, and a notary stamp. Patricia's name is listed as the beneficiary.""
"Send it to me.""
A moment later, the photograph appeared.
I opened it.
The document looked convincing.
It contained my father's full name, the property address, and a statement transferring ownership to Patricia Brooks.
But Rebecca noticed something immediately.
"Sarah, look at the date.""
I enlarged the image.
The document was dated four days after my father's funeral.
My father had been dead for four days.
"That's impossible," I whispered.
Rebecca nodded.
"Someone has either fabricated this document or misrepresented when it was executed. We need the original and the underlying records.""
Linda sat down heavily.
"I knew Patricia would eventually try this.""
I turned toward her.
"Why didn't you tell me everything sooner?""
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Because your father made me promise not to expose you to Patricia unless it became absolutely necessary. He knew what she was capable of.""
"She stole his property.""
"I know.""
"She helped my husband steal my money.""
Linda looked down.
"I know that too.""
I felt anger rising.
"Then why did everyone let her get away with it?""
Linda opened the metal box again.
"Because she wasn't working alone.""
She removed another envelope.
Inside was a photograph of three people standing outside a bank.
Patricia.
Michael Carter.
And a man I recognized immediately.
Daniel's father.
Richard Brooks.
I stared at the photograph.
Richard had died when Daniel was sixteen. Daniel rarely spoke about him, except to say that his father had left the family with enormous debts.
"Why is Richard in this photograph?""
Linda explained.
"Your father discovered that Richard had been using Patricia's name to obtain private loans. When Richard died, Patricia continued the business using different companies.""
Rebecca examined the photograph.
"Do you have anything connecting these companies to the current loan?""
Linda nodded.
She handed over a small notebook containing company names, account references, and dates.
Rebecca began comparing them with the documents Vanessa had sent.
Suddenly, she stopped.
"That's it.""
"What?""
"These companies share the same registered mailing address.""
I leaned over.
The address belonged to an office building Daniel had visited repeatedly during the last year.
"Can this help stop the auction?""
"It can help establish a pattern of suspicious transactions. But we need immediate action against the lender and the auction process.""
Rebecca made several calls.
Within an hour, she had contacted the lender's legal department and submitted a formal dispute concerning the alleged signatures and authorization.
She also arranged for the documents to be preserved as evidence.
Then she turned toward me.
"Sarah, I want you to understand something. We cannot assume that this trust declaration automatically defeats the current loan. We need to verify its execution, registration, and legal effect.""
I nodded.
For the first time, someone was explaining things without promising miracles.
My phone buzzed.
A message from Daniel.
*Daniel:* I know you've been talking to Linda. Bring her documents to Mom's house tonight. We need to settle this.
I showed Rebecca.
She shook her head.
"Don't hand over anything.""
Another message arrived.
*Daniel:* If you cooperate, I'll make sure you get enough money to start over.
I stared at the words.
Enough money to start over.
As though six years of marriage, my father's inheritance, and my financial security could be reduced to a settlement payment.
I typed:
*Sarah:* I want the original trust document and a complete accounting of the $185,000 loan.
His response was immediate.
*Daniel:* You don't understand what you're asking for.
*Sarah:* Then explain it.
Three dots appeared.
Disappeared.
Then:
*Daniel:* Dad's old arrangement was never supposed to become public.
I froze.
Richard Brooks had been dead for more than twenty years.
What arrangement?
I called him.
He answered after one ring.
"Sarah, stop digging.""
"Tell me what my father signed.""
"Your father knew the risks.""
"Did he transfer my property to Patricia?""
Daniel sighed.
"Not exactly.""
"Then what did he do?""
He lowered his voice.
"Your father agreed to let Patricia manage the assets temporarily. There was a debt involved.""
"What debt?""
"Richard owed your father money.""
I looked at Linda.
She shook her head.
Daniel continued.
"Mom was supposed to settle everything after Dad died. But your father changed the agreement.""
"Why?""
"Because he didn't trust her anymore.""
I felt my heart pounding.
"Then why are you trying to take my house?""
There was a long silence.
Finally, Daniel said:
"Because Mom told me the debt was still outstanding.""
I closed my eyes.
"You're telling me you borrowed against my house to pay a debt your dead father owed my dead father?""
"Sarah, it isn't that simple.""
"Then make it simple.""
He whispered something that made my blood run cold.
"Mom says if the original agreement comes out, we could all lose everything.""
Before I could ask another question, he hung up.
Rebecca looked at me.
"What did he say?""
I repeated his words.
She gathered the documents.
"Then we need to find the original agreement before Patricia destroys it.""
My phone rang again.
This time, it was Vanessa.
"Sarah, I know where Daniel keeps the original.""
"Where?""
May you like
She took a shaky breath.
"Inside the safe at Patricia's house.""
