Chapter 10: The Agreement Sarah Was Hiding
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
David stood in front of Michael's desk, his hands buried in the pockets of his jeans.
"Sarah has the agreement?"" I repeated.
He nodded.
"Where did she get it?""
"She found it in Dad's old business records.""
"Which records?""
"I don't know, Mom.""
I stared at him.
"You've been in this house for three days, and somehow your wife has discovered a document that I never knew existed?""
David rubbed his forehead.
"She didn't find it here. She had a copy.""
"From whom?""
"Thomas.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Thomas Reed gave your wife a document supposedly signed by your father?""
"Yes.""
"And you believed him?""
David looked uncomfortable.
"He showed us a copy.""
I walked to the window.
Outside, the maple tree stood motionless beneath the gray November sky.
"David, did you read it?""
"Some of it.""
"What did it say?""
He hesitated.
"That Dad had agreed to provide security for a loan.""
"Security using what?""
"The house.""
I turned around.
"No.""
"Mom—"
"Your father would never have put this house at risk without telling me.""
David lowered his eyes.
"Maybe he didn't want to worry you.""
I felt anger rise in my chest.
"Don't you dare use your father's illness to explain away a document you haven't verified.""
He flinched.
I continued.
"Your father spent the last months of his life making sure I would be financially secure. He changed the property title. He updated his estate documents.
He spoke to his attorney. You expect me to believe that after doing all of that, he secretly signed away the house?""
David didn't answer.
I reached for my phone.
"Call Sarah.""
"Why?""
"Because I want to see that agreement.""
He shook his head.
"She won't give it to you.""
"Then she can explain why.""
I dialed her number myself.
She answered after three rings.
"What?""
"Sarah, I need you to come into the office.""
"I'm working.""
"It concerns the document from Thomas Reed.""
Silence.
Then she said, "David told you?""
"Yes.""
"Fine. I'll be there in a minute.""
She arrived less than two minutes later.
She carried her laptop and a large leather handbag.
I stood beside Michael's desk.
"Where is the agreement?""
Sarah looked at David.
He stared at the floor.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said.
I folded my arms.
"David just told me you have a copy of an agreement supposedly signed by his father.""
She placed her handbag on the chair.
"That's a private financial document.""
"Then why does it concern my house?""
"Because your husband was involved in a business arrangement with Thomas.""
"My husband is dead.""
"That doesn't automatically cancel his obligations.""
I looked at her carefully.
"Show me the document.""
Sarah hesitated.
Then she opened her handbag and removed a folded sheet of paper.
She placed it on the desk.
I picked it up.
At the top was a typed heading:
*Property Security Agreement*
The document described a loan issued to David Porter through a private investment company.
It listed Michael Porter as a supporting guarantor.
And beneath that was a property address.
My address.
My eyes moved to the signature at the bottom.
Michael Porter.
The signature looked real.
But something was wrong.
I had seen my husband's signature thousands of times.
On birthday cards.
On tax returns.
On checks.
On the Christmas letters he sent to relatives.
This signature was missing the small upward stroke he always made at the end of his surname.
I pointed to it.
"Where did this come from?""
Sarah shrugged.
"Thomas gave us the copy.""
"Did you see the original?""
"No.""
"Did an attorney verify it?""
"Why would we need an attorney?""
I looked at her.
"Because you're presenting a document that supposedly gives a stranger an interest in my home.""
She rolled her eyes.
"You're overcomplicating everything.""
I turned toward David.
"Did your father sign this?""
David looked at the paper.
"I don't know.""
"Then why did you tell me it was real?""
"Because Thomas said it was.""
I placed the document on the desk.
"Thomas Reed is not your father.""
Sarah picked it up.
"Look, the agreement says the loan was secured by the property. If that's valid, the debt needs to be resolved.""
"Then let the attorneys determine whether it's valid.""
She laughed.
"You can't just hide behind an attorney every time someone asks you to cooperate.""
I looked at her.
"Watch me.""
She put the document back in her handbag.
I reached out.
"Leave the copy.""
"No.""
"Sarah, I need a copy for my attorney.""
"It's mine.""
I stared at her.
Then I took out my phone.
"I'm going to ask Robert to request it formally.""
Her face changed.
"That's unnecessary.""
"Then leave it.""
For a moment, I thought she might refuse.
Finally, she pulled the paper out and placed it on the desk.
"Fine. But don't say we didn't try to resolve this.""
She grabbed her handbag and walked out.
David followed her.
I heard their voices in the hallway.
"You shouldn't have shown her that," Sarah whispered.
"You said it would help.""
"Not if she gets Robert involved.""
I remained still.
Then Sarah said something that made my blood run cold.
"We need to find the original before she does.""
I immediately picked up my phone and called Robert.
He answered while I was still looking at the document.
"Kimberly?""
"I have something you need to see.""
I photographed every page and sent it to him.
He called back five minutes later.
"Do not give this document to anyone. Don't alter it. Keep the original copy you received exactly as it is.""
"Do you recognize it?""
"I recognize the format. I don't recognize this agreement.""
"What does that mean?""
"It means I need to compare it against Michael's estate records and the original property documents.""
I looked at the signature.
"Robert, could Michael have signed something like this?""
He was quiet.
"Michael specifically instructed us that you would retain full ownership and control of the property. I would be extremely surprised if he had signed a document contradicting those arrangements.""
"Then what should I do?""
"Nothing until we investigate. And Kimberly, I want you to consider one more thing.""
"What?""
"If this agreement is being used to pressure you into granting a new loan, the lender and any other relevant authorities need to know immediately that you dispute its authenticity.""
I nodded, although he couldn't see me.
After the call, I placed the paper in a clear folder.
Then I opened Michael's old laptop again.
I searched the email archive for the words property security.
Several results appeared.
One was an email from Michael to Robert, dated September 21.
Please confirm that no security interest has been registered against the residence. I want the matter settled before my health deteriorates further.
Robert had replied the following day.
We have reviewed the county records. No such interest is recorded.
I read it twice.
No security interest.
I saved the email.
Then I searched for Thomas Reed.
An email dated September 24 appeared.
Michael, the agreement you requested does not exist in our current records. I will not release the original until the outstanding balance is resolved.
Michael's response was brief.
There is no valid agreement involving my wife's property. Do not contact Kimberly about this matter.
I leaned back.
That was the answer.
Or at least part of it.
The next morning, Robert arranged a meeting with a document examiner and requested certified property records.
He also contacted the lender to preserve the electronic application history.
By Friday afternoon, I had received another message from David.
*David: Mom, the seller has given us until five. Please reconsider. We only need your cooperation.*
I didn't answer.
At 4:38, Sarah came downstairs carrying a thick white envelope.
She placed it on the kitchen island.
"Kimberly, we need to make a decision.""
I looked at the envelope.
"What's that?""
"An offer.""
I didn't touch it.
"What kind of offer?""
She pushed it toward me.
"We'll leave the house peacefully if you agree to help us secure the financing.""
I stared at her.
"So you're offering to leave my house if I mortgage it for you?""
"We're trying to find a solution.""
I opened the envelope.
Inside was a typed proposal offering me a share of the investment property in exchange for guaranteeing the loan.
The share was twenty-five percent.
I looked at her.
"Who owns the other seventy-five percent?""
"David and me.""
"And who carries the debt?""
"You would be the guarantor.""
I placed the proposal back inside.
"No.""
Her face hardened.
"You haven't even considered it.""
"I don't need to.""
She leaned forward.
"Kimberly, if you refuse, Thomas will pursue the old agreement.""
"Then let him.""
"You could lose this house.""
I met her eyes.
"Not if the agreement is fraudulent.""
Sarah went completely still.
For the first time, she seemed to realize that I wasn't frightened by her threats anymore.
Then her phone rang.
She looked at the screen.
Thomas Reed.
She stepped into the hallway.
I couldn't hear everything, but I caught three sentences.
"She won't sign.""
"No, she has the document.""
"I told you we needed more time.""
When she returned, her expression was different.
"Kimberly, I think we need to discuss something else.""
I folded my hands.
"What?""
She swallowed.
"Thomas wants to meet you.""
I stared at her.
"Why?""
She lowered her voice.
May you like
"Because he says he has the original agreement.""
And suddenly, I knew the next conversation would determine whether my husband's final promise could be protected.
