Chapter 4: The Business Partner
"Her business partner's name is Gregory Collins.""
Samuel's words seemed to hang in the air.
I looked at Daniel.
He looked back at me.
"Collins?"" he repeated.
"As in Harper's father?""
"That's correct," Samuel replied.
I slowly lowered myself into the chair.
Catherine and Richard's surname was Collins. I knew that, of course. I had known it for nine years. But hearing that Richard was somehow connected to the proposed management agreement made the entire situation feel different.
"Richard is involved?"" I asked.
"According to the document, yes. The proposed business is called Coastal Comfort Property Management LLC. The agreement identifies Richard Collins and Harper Collins as the intended managers.""
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
"Mom, this doesn't make sense.""
Samuel continued.
"There's something else. The agreement proposes a commission structure based on rental income. It also requests permission to negotiate short-term occupancy arrangements on behalf of the property owner.""
"On my behalf?""
"Yes. However, the document was never approved because your authorization wasn't attached.""
I looked at the handwritten calculations I had found.
Potential rental income.
Annual expenses.
Possible future sale.
It was all beginning to fit together.
"Samuel, did they actually establish this company?""
"I'll need to verify the business records. But the document contains a registration number.""
Daniel stood up.
"Harper told me her father was thinking about starting a property management company. She said it was just an idea.""
I looked at him.
"When did she tell you?""
"Maybe six months ago. She said they wanted to manage vacation rentals along the coast.""
"Did she mention my condo?""
"No.""
His answer came too quickly.
I waited.
He looked down.
"Not directly.""
Samuel interrupted.
"Daniel, I need you to understand something. Whatever happened between you and your wife is separate from your mother's ownership rights. Barbara should not sign anything else, and nobody should be permitted to represent her.""
Daniel nodded.
"I understand.""
"Barbara, I'll send you a written list of documents we need. In the meantime, contact the building manager and ask her to preserve the original access records.""
"I will.""
When the call ended, Daniel sat down.
For a long time, neither of us spoke.
Then he asked, "Do you think Harper planned all this?""
I looked at the photograph of Frank beside the lamp.
"I think I need to stop guessing what your wife intended and start looking at what she actually did.""
Daniel nodded.
His phone buzzed again.
This time, he answered.
"Harper?""
I couldn't hear her clearly, but her voice was sharp enough to carry across the room.
"Where are you? Your mother has gone completely out of control!""
"I'm at Mom's.""
"Then come outside. We need to talk.""
"Not right now.""
"Daniel, my parents are sitting in the car. They have nowhere to stay!""
"Find them a hotel.""
There was silence.
Then Harper said something that made him stand.
"Don't you dare take her side without knowing what she's done.""
Daniel frowned.
"What has my mother done?""
"You know what I mean.""
"No, Harper. I really don't.""
She lowered her voice.
"Your mother has no idea how much money is involved.""
Daniel looked at me.
I stopped breathing.
"What money?"" he asked.
Harper didn't answer immediately.
Then she said, "Come home. We need to discuss this privately.""
Daniel ended the call.
"What did she say?"" I asked.
He hesitated.
"She said there's money involved.""
"How much?""
"I don't know.""
I picked up my phone and called Melissa.
She answered while walking somewhere.
"Barbara?""
"I need the original rental records, including payment information. Not just the access codes.""
"I was expecting you to ask.""
"Can you get them?""
"Yes. But there's something I haven't mentioned.""
I sat straighter.
"What?""
"One of the guests contacted the office this morning.""
"Why?""
"They wanted to confirm their reservation for next month.""
My stomach tightened.
"Next month?""
"Yes. They said they had already paid a deposit and had been promised access to Unit 604.""
"Who made the reservation?""
"Harper Collins.""
Daniel covered his mouth.
I asked Melissa to forward the correspondence.
"There's another detail," she added.
"The guest said they had been told the condo would be available for the entire month.""
I stared at the ocean.
My annual vacation had nearly been interrupted by five nights.
But someone had apparently been promised thirty.
"Melissa, nobody has permission to rent my condo.""
"I understand. I've already flagged the unit in our system.""
"Thank you.""
When I hung up, Daniel looked sick.
"Mom, I'm going to talk to her.""
"Do what you need to do.""
He picked up his keys.
Then he stopped at the door.
"I'm sorry.""
I looked at my son.
"For what?""
"For letting this happen.""
I wanted to tell him it wasn't his fault.
I wanted to protect him from the shame I could see on his face.
But I had spent years protecting everyone from uncomfortable truths.
So I simply said, "I hope you understand why I can't keep pretending everything is fine.""
He nodded.
"I do.""
After he left, I sat alone at the dining table.
My phone vibrated.
An email from Samuel.
Subject: URGENT — COASTAL COMFORT PROPERTY MANAGEMENT.
I opened it.
Samuel had attached a business registration document.
The company had been formed eleven months earlier.
Its registered address was Richard and Catherine Collins's home.
Its listed managers were Harper and Richard.
But it was the business description that made my hands go cold.
The company specialized in managing privately owned vacation properties through third-party occupancy agreements.
I read the document again.
Then I noticed a final attachment.
A draft agreement for Unit 604.
It included an estimated annual rental revenue of $64,800.
And underneath the revenue projection was a note.
"Owner transition expected within 12–18 months.""
I leaned back.
They weren't simply planning to use my condo.
They were planning around a future in which they believed I wouldn't control it anymore.
Then another email arrived.
This one was from Melissa.
She had located the person who paid the $2,700 deposit.
And attached was a copy of the payment receipt.
The recipient wasn't Harper.
It was Coastal Comfort Property Management LLC.
I stared at the company name.
For the first time, I wondered whether the money Harper had collected from strangers was only a fraction of what had already been taken.
And then I saw the date of the next scheduled payment.
May you like
Monday morning.
Three days away.
