Chapter 5: The House Was Never Theirs to Sell
I read the application Margaret placed in front of me.
It was a request for an expedited property sale.
The proposed buyer was a private investment company.
The asking price was $425,000.
My father's signature appeared at the bottom.
I looked at Margaret.
"How can he sell something he doesn't own?""
"He claims he is the legal owner through a recorded transfer. Unfortunately, until the title dispute is resolved, he is attempting to use that document as proof.""
"Can he actually sell it?""
"Not without serious legal consequences. But we need to stop the transaction before he gets any further.""
Tessa leaned forward.
"What's the company?""
Margaret turned the page.
"Northbridge Property Holdings.""
I pulled out my phone and searched the name.
The company had a website with photographs of renovated houses and luxury rental properties.
The listed business address was a virtual office.
Something about it bothered me.
"Who owns Northbridge?""
Margaret examined the application.
"That's not disclosed here.""
She dialed a number and asked her assistant to verify the company registration.
While she waited, I looked at the proposed closing date.
December 2.
Less than two weeks away.
My stomach tightened.
"He's trying to sell Grandma's house before we can challenge the deed.""
"That's what it appears to be.""
Margaret gave me a determined look.
"We're filing an objection and requesting an immediate title investigation. I also recommend that you report the suspected identity theft to the bank and local authorities.""
I nodded.
"I'll do whatever is necessary.""
At four o'clock, I sat inside First National Bank's fraud investigation department.
Caroline Hayes, the representative who had called me earlier, greeted me with a thick folder.
"Ms. Bennett, I reviewed the account records. There are several serious inconsistencies.""
She opened the folder.
"The home equity loan was approved using your identifying information, but the application was submitted through an email address we cannot verify as yours.""
I leaned forward.
"What email address?""
She showed me.
It contained my full name followed by a string of numbers.
I had never used it.
"The application also included proof of income," Caroline continued.
"But the employer information doesn't match your verified employment records.""
"Who submitted it?""
"Someone claiming to be your authorized representative.""
"Who?""
She turned the page.
Richard Bennett.
My father.
I felt sick.
Caroline continued.
"The loan proceeds were transferred to an account belonging to Derek Bennett. Approximately $74,000 was used for a vehicle purchase and associated expenses. Other funds were transferred through several accounts.""
"Can you tell me where the rest went?""
"We're tracing the remaining transactions.""
I took a breath.
"Was the property already paid off?""
Caroline nodded.
"Our records show that the loan was secured using a deed claiming you had become the owner through a purchase transaction.""
"But that deed was fraudulent.""
"That's what our investigation is examining.""
She closed the folder.
"There's one more issue. The application included an authorization allowing your father to communicate with the bank on your behalf.""
"I never gave him that.""
"Then we'll need a written statement from you.""
I signed the fraud affidavit.
As I left the bank, my phone started ringing.
Derek.
I nearly ignored it.
Instead, I answered.
"What?""
"Nice job, Avery.""
His voice was dripping with sarcasm.
"What did I do?""
"Mom says you went to the bank. Dad says you contacted Margaret.""
"That's correct.""
He laughed.
"You're really going to destroy the family over some paperwork?""
I stopped walking.
"Some paperwork? You took $310,000 using my name.""
"I didn't take anything.""
"The bank records say otherwise.""
"That money was for the business.""
"What business?""
There was a pause.
Then Derek snapped, "You always have to make everything about yourself.""
I closed my eyes.
"Where is the money, Derek?""
"You don't understand investments.""
"Then explain them.""
He hung up.
I stood outside the bank, watching people cross the street.
My phone buzzed again.
This time, it was a message from Mom.
Please stop attacking your father. He's under enough stress already.
I typed a reply.
He stole my identity.
Her response came almost immediately.
He did what he had to do to keep the house in the family.
I stared at those words.
Then I took a screenshot.
Evidence.
At 6:30, Tessa and I stopped at a grocery store.
While she picked up bread and milk, I checked my email.
There was a new message from Margaret.
The subject read:
*URGENT: COMPANY OWNERSHIP VERIFIED.*
I opened it.
Northbridge Property Holdings was registered to an address belonging to a commercial mailbox.
But its managing member was listed as Derek Bennett.
I read it twice.
My brother wasn't simply receiving money from the property loan.
He was also the person trying to buy the house.
The same house Grandma had left me.
My own brother was attempting to purchase my inheritance using money borrowed against it through forged documents.
I felt dizzy.
Tessa noticed my expression.
"What happened?""
I showed her the email.
She slowly lowered the grocery bag.
"That is unbelievable.""
"No," I whispered.
"It's planned.""
My phone rang.
Dad.
I answered and put him on speaker.
"What do you want?""
His voice was cold.
"You're going to withdraw that complaint.""
"No.""
"You're making this much worse than it needs to be.""
"You forged my signature.""
"You were going to inherit the house anyway.""
"Then why steal it?""
He exhaled sharply.
"Because Derek needed an opportunity. You have a career, a salary, and a place to go. Your brother needed something to get started.""
"So you gave him my inheritance?""
"I was protecting the family.""
"By putting three hundred and ten thousand dollars of debt in my name?""
"Don't pretend you haven't benefited from this family.""
I almost dropped the phone.
"How?""
"You had a roof over your head for years!""
I laughed bitterly.
"A roof I paid $1,845 a month for.""
"You lived in the house!""
"And you told me the payments were going toward a mortgage that didn't exist!""
Silence.
Then Dad said something that changed everything.
"Your grandmother wanted Derek to have that house. I was only correcting her mistake.""
I stared at the pavement.
"No, Dad. She wrote a will.""
"She was an old woman who didn't understand what was best for her family!""
"Then why did she ask Margaret to protect me?""
His voice dropped.
"Because she always thought you were better than everyone else.""
"No. She thought I deserved better than this.""
He became furious.
"Listen to me, Avery. You have until Monday to withdraw your complaint. After that, don't expect us to help you when things get ugly.""
I hung up.
That evening, Margaret sent me a copy of an official filing.
The attempted sale had been temporarily blocked pending review of the disputed deed.
For the first time since Thanksgiving, I felt a small sense of relief.
Then a car pulled into Tessa's driveway.
Derek stepped out.
He walked straight toward the front door carrying a cardboard box.
Tessa glanced through the window.
"That's your brother.""
I opened the door but stayed inside.
"What are you doing here?""
Derek shoved the box toward me.
"Take this.""
I looked inside.
It contained several of Grandma's old photographs, a silver picture frame, and a small stack of documents.
"Where did you get these?""
"From the house.""
"Why?""
He shifted uncomfortably.
"Because Dad is furious, and I don't want to get caught in the middle.""
I studied his face.
"You're already in the middle, Derek.""
He lowered his voice.
"Look, I know about the loan.""
I froze.
"You knew?""
"I didn't know they used your signature.""
"But you knew the money came from a loan against Grandma's house.""
He looked away.
I took a step forward.
"Did you know Grandma had left it to me?""
He didn't answer.
Then he reached into his jacket and pulled out a folded sheet of paper.
"Avery, there's something Dad never told you.""
He placed it in my hand.
It was a letter from six years earlier.
The date was March 22.
The handwriting belonged to Grandma.
And the recipient's name was Derek.
I unfolded it.
The first line read:
Dear Derek, I know what your father has asked you to do, and I need you to understand that I know the truth.
I looked up.
"What did you do?""
Derek swallowed.
May you like
Then he whispered:
"Grandma caught me inside her bedroom the night before she died.""
