Chapter 4: A Signature She Never Gave
Claire gripped the edge of the desk.
“Filed with whom?”
“The county,” Grant said.
“The house is part of Parker Family Holdings now.”
Claire stared at him.
“I never transferred this house.”
“You signed electronically.”
“No, I didn’t.”
Grant opened his laptop and turned it toward her.
A recorded deed appeared on the screen with Claire’s name beneath a signature.
“There,” he said.
“Would you like Susan to read it aloud?”
Susan leaned closer.
“This claims Claire transferred ownership six weeks ago.”
“That’s correct.”
Claire touched the screen with one shaking finger.
“I was in Toronto with my brother six weeks ago.”
Grant closed the laptop.
“You signed before you left.”
“Show me where.”
“You don’t remember half the documents you sign.”
Claire’s hand slipped from the desk.
Grant stepped closer.
“Your mother handed you a house, and you couldn’t even manage that without me.”
Claire’s knees bent against the chair.
Susan caught her arm.
“Sit down.”
“No.” Claire forced herself upright.
“He doesn’t get to make me disappear while I’m standing in my own room.”
Madison appeared in the doorway with Ava behind her.
“Dad,” Madison said, “you told me Claire wanted this.”
Grant pointed into the hall.
“Go upstairs.”
Ava stepped around her.
“Mrs.
Parker, I have something.”
Madison caught Ava’s sleeve.
“You promised you deleted it.”
“I promised before I knew what it was.”
Ava held out her phone.
The photograph showed several pages spread across Madison’s bed.
Claire enlarged the first page.
“That isn’t a family trust.
It’s a loan application.”
Jeff read over her shoulder.
“Two hundred and eighty thousand dollars, secured by this house.”
Grant closed the study door.
“No one is leaving with that photograph.”
Susan immediately sent the image to herself.
“It already left,” she said.
Grant faced Ava.
“You took a private financial document from this home.”
“It was in Madison’s room.”
“I can speak to your parents about theft.”
Ava’s chin trembled, but she did not lower the phone.
“Go ahead.
I’ll show them the messages Madison sent with it.”
Madison turned on her.
“You’re supposed to be my friend.”
“A friend doesn’t help you throw someone out of her home.”
Claire enlarged the signature page.
“That isn’t my signature.”
Grant scoffed.
“It looks exactly like it.”
“It looks like the signature on the birthday card I gave Madison last year.”
Madison’s face drained of color.
Grant’s phone rang.
He checked the screen and answered on speaker.
“Martin, tell Claire the transfer is legal.”
A man’s voice filled the room.
“The deed has been recorded, and the lender approved the application.
Funds are scheduled for Monday.”
Claire looked at Grant.
“You used my home to borrow money?”
Grant lifted his chin.
“Our home.”
Martin continued, “Mrs.
Parker, contesting this will be expensive.
I suggest cooperation.”
Susan stepped toward the phone.
“Which notary witnessed her signature?”
There was a pause.
Grant reached to end the call.
Susan caught his wrist.
“Let him answer.”
Martin’s voice returned, quieter this time.
“Elaine Brooks.”
Susan released Grant and looked directly at Claire.
“I know that name,” she said.
“Elaine Brooks passed away eight months ago.”
May you like
Grant’s face changed.
Then Martin whispered through the speaker, “Grant, you told me she was still licensed.”
