Chapter 4: The Secret Beneath the House
Jason couldn't stop staring at the address.
It was printed beneath a heading marked *Additional Assets—Original Estate Agreement*.
The address belonged to a small commercial building downtown. His father had purchased it decades earlier, back when the neighborhood was filled with empty storefronts and abandoned warehouses.
Jason remembered the building.
He remembered his father taking him there when he was twelve, showing him the dusty offices and telling him that one day the property would be worth a fortune.
But he had no idea it was connected to Evelyn's house.
“What is this?”” Jason asked.
Margaret Collins closed the office door.
“Your father created a separate holding agreement shortly before he died. The building was transferred into a family trust. Your mother was named its primary beneficiary.””
Jason frowned.
“Then why is Daniel involved?””
“Because your father included a provision giving both sons certain future interests, provided they met specific conditions.””
Laura Bennett opened the folder.
“Your brother has been claiming those conditions were satisfied.””
“What conditions?””
“Your father required both sons to remain financially independent and refrain from exploiting your mother's assets. He also prohibited either son from selling trust property without her approval.””
Jason shook his head.
“Daniel hasn't spoken to Mom in eleven years. He abandoned the family.””
Margaret nodded.
“That's why this agreement is so troubling.””
She removed another document.
“Your brother filed a statement claiming Evelyn voluntarily transferred her interests to him last year.””
Jason stared at the page.
“That signature isn't hers.””
“That's what I suspected.””
Margaret placed the document under a desk lamp.
The signature looked convincing at first glance. The familiar curve of Evelyn's E. The long tail beneath her surname.
But Jason noticed something.
His mother always signed her name with a small upward stroke at the end.
This signature ended abruptly.
“Someone copied it,” he whispered.
Laura nodded.
“The buyer became suspicious when the documentation didn't match the original trust records. That's why we haven't proceeded.””
Jason looked at her.
“Then why did you meet Monica?””
“Because she contacted us first. She represented herself as someone authorized to coordinate the sale.””
“Did she know Daniel was involved?””
Laura hesitated.
“They appeared to be working together.””
Jason pushed his chair backward.
“I'm going to find him.””
Margaret immediately shook her head.
“Not without a plan. If your brother forged documents, we need evidence. Confronting him could make him destroy whatever remains.””
Jason ran a hand through his hair.
“My mother was shoved into a table because these two want her house.””
“I know,” Margaret replied.
“But we need to protect her properly.””
His phone vibrated.
A message from Monica.
*Where are you? We need to talk. Come home now.*
Another message appeared.
*And don't bring Margaret into our marriage.*
Jason showed the screen to the attorney.
Margaret's expression became cold.
“She's worried.””
“About what?””
“About what we might discover.””
Jason returned home shortly after noon.
Monica was waiting in the kitchen. She had changed clothes, put on makeup, and prepared two cups of coffee.
It looked like a peace offering.
“Jason,” she said softly.
“Finally.””
He didn't sit.
“Tell me about Daniel.””
Monica's fingers tightened around her cup.
“What about him?””
“Why are you working with my brother?””
She put the cup down.
“I'm not working with him.””
“Laura Bennett has photographs.””
Monica's face drained of color.
“Who is Laura?””
“The buyer's representative.””
Monica looked toward the stairs.
“Can we talk privately?””
“No. We're talking here.””
She lowered her voice.
“Daniel contacted me because he wanted to help.””
“Help sell my mother's house?””
“Help us get out of a difficult situation!””
Jason stared at her.
“What situation?””
Monica opened a drawer and pulled out a stack of envelopes.
Credit card statements.
Loan notices.
Overdue bills.
Jason recognized the bank logo on the top envelope.
“What's this?””
“Debt,” Monica said.
“How much?””
She looked down.
“About two hundred and eighty thousand dollars.””
Jason felt as if the floor had shifted beneath him.
“Two hundred and eighty thousand?””
“It's not all mine.””
“Whose is it?””
Monica's eyes filled.
“Daniel's.””
Jason went completely still.
“My brother borrowed money using our financial information?””
“He promised he could turn it into an investment.””
“And you gave him access?””
“He said we'd make enough to pay everything off.””
Jason looked at the statements.
Then he saw a familiar account number.
His mother's savings account.
He picked up the statement.
There had been a withdrawal of $42,000.
The transaction date was six weeks earlier.
“Monica.””
She didn't answer.
“Where did this money come from?””
She began crying.
“I was going to put it back.””
Jason slowly raised his eyes.
“You took money from my mother?””
Monica covered her face.
And before she could answer, someone knocked three times on the front door.
Jason opened it.
A uniformed police officer stood outside.
“Mr. Jason Carter?””
“Yes?””
“I'm Officer Reynolds. We need to speak with your wife about a financial complaint filed this morning.””
Jason turned toward Monica.
May you like
She wasn't crying anymore.
She was staring at the officer as if she'd been expecting him.
