Chapter 4: The Attorney Who Called Uninvited
I didn't answer right away.
I let the silence stretch for three full seconds.
"Mr.
Vane," I said.
"I don't recall hiring you."
"You haven't," he said.
"I represent a party with an interest in a matter connected to your property holdings.
I'm calling as a courtesy."
"A courtesy." I walked away from the window so my mother couldn't hear the full conversation.
"What kind of attorney calls a woman he's never met at nine in the evening as a courtesy?"
"The kind who wants to resolve things quietly before they become complicated." A pause.
"I understand you've had an eventful day."
So Caden had already called him.
Or Bonnie had.
The call in the street — this was who had been on the other end.
"What do you want, Mr.
Vane?"
"I want to discuss the Harlow & Vance refinancing agreement.
Specifically, the signature page.
My client is eager to move forward."
"Your client," I said.
"And who exactly is your client?"
Another pause.
Longer this time.
"I'm not at liberty to say."
"Then I'm not at liberty to continue this conversation." I moved the phone from my ear.
"Ms.
Taylor." His voice sharpened.
"I'd strongly encourage you to reconsider.
The agreement was structured with your cooperation in mind.
Without it, my client may be forced to pursue alternative remedies.
Including a challenge to the property acquisition at your current address."
I stopped moving.
"Are you threatening to contest the title on my mansion?"
"I'm explaining the landscape," he said.
"The acquisition three years ago involved a transaction that my client believes warrants scrutiny.
If the matter goes to court, it could take years.
It could be very public.
And in the meantime, the asset would be frozen."
He was bluffing.
He had to be.
The mansion purchase was clean — I had used a separate legal entity, a different attorney, a different title company.
There was nothing to contest.
But he didn't know what I knew.
And I wasn't going to tell him.
"Send me the agreement," I said.
"In writing.
Through proper channels.
If I decide to engage, I'll have my attorney contact yours."
"Of course." The smoothness came back.
"I'll have it over first thing tomorrow.
I do hope we can keep this civil, Ms.
Taylor.
For everyone's sake.
Including your son's."
The line went d*ad.
I stood very still in the center of the room.
He had mentioned Donovan.
Not by name.
But he had said *your son.* That was not an accident.
That was a message: *we know what matters to you.*
I called my attorney, Renata Osei, from my contacts.
It was late but she picked up on the second ring.
"Taylor.
What happened?"
"I need you to pull everything on a firm called Harlow & Vance and an attorney named Marcus Vane.
Tonight if you can."
"Tonight." Not a question.
She was already moving — I could hear her chair.
"Give me the context."
I told her everything.
The refinancing document.
The collateral clause.
The trust.
The call.
The comment about Donovan.
When I finished, Renata was quiet for a moment.
"The trust name," she said.
"Vance Family Holdings.
Say that again."
"Vance Family Holdings."
"Taylor." Her voice changed.
"Marcus Vane's full name is Marcus Harlow Vane.
He is Harlow & Vance.
He set up that firm himself four years ago.
And Vance Family Holdings is his personal asset trust."
The room felt smaller.
"He's not representing a client," I said.
"No," Renata said.
"He is the client.
Which means whoever brought him in gave him a piece of the deal.
This isn't just a legal threat.
Someone promised him a share of your property."
I looked toward the hallway where Donovan was sleeping.
"How long have Caden and Bonnie known Marcus Vane?"
"I don't know yet," Renata said.
"But I will by morning." A beat.
"Taylor, don't sign anything.
Don't open any door tonight.
And if he calls again, don't answer."
"I won't."
"One more thing." She hesitated.
"The refinancing document — you said it was sent three weeks ago while you were in Guadalajara."
"Yes."
"Who knew your travel schedule?"
I didn't answer.
Because the answer was obvious.
May you like
Only one person had known exactly when I was leaving and exactly when I was supposed to return.
Caden.
