Chapter 5: The Price They Put on My Home
Margaret Collins arrived at my house at ten the following morning.
She carried a black leather briefcase and wore a charcoal coat buttoned to the neck.
Daniel had already printed every email we found.
I had placed Gerald's letter beside them.
Margaret sat at the dining table.
The same table where Kristen had told me to take my dinner elsewhere.
She examined the papers one by one.
"Where did you find this email?""
"In Patrick's folder," I answered.
"Did he give you permission to examine it?""
"He left the folder in my house after I asked him to put it down.""
Margaret nodded.
"Good. Don't alter anything. We'll preserve copies and document where each item came from.""
Daniel leaned forward.
"What about the transfer request?""
"I contacted the title company this morning. They have placed a temporary hold pending verification.""
I exhaled.
"Can they still process it?""
"Not without satisfying their requirements. But I want to make sure no additional documents are submitted.""
Margaret opened her briefcase.
"There's something else. I reviewed the power of attorney document.""
She placed a copy on the table.
"The notarization details don't match the records of the notary listed here.""
Daniel frowned.
"What does that mean?""
"It means we have reason to question whether the document was properly executed.""
I looked at the signature again.
"Can they prove who signed it?""
"That will require further investigation. But the document is not valid merely because it contains a signature resembling yours.""
I rubbed my forehead.
"I still can't understand why they thought they could get away with this.""
Margaret looked at me.
"Because people who believe they are entitled to something often convince themselves that the rules don't apply to them.""
Her words stayed with me.
She continued examining the email.
"The December thirty-first deadline is particularly important.""
"Why?""
"Because it appears Whitmore Development entered into a separate agreement with a third party before securing ownership of your property.""
Daniel looked up.
"Can they do that?""
"They can enter into a conditional agreement, but they assume financial risk if they cannot obtain the property.""
I pointed to the $250,000 penalty.
"So that's why Robert is desperate.""
"Possibly.""
Daniel tapped the table.
"Then we should tell the developer that the property isn't for sale.""
Margaret nodded.
"That is exactly what I intend to do.""
She picked up another page.
"However, I want to understand the relationship between Patrick and the company.""
I looked at her.
"He's my son.""
"I know. But the documents suggest he may have been promised money directly.""
I handed her the financial breakdown.
She read it carefully.
"$185,000.""
"Yes.""
"Did Patrick explain this?""
"He said it was supposed to help with their financial problems.""
Margaret made a note.
"Did he tell you whether he received any money already?""
"No.""
Daniel looked toward the window.
"Maybe that's why he's so scared.""
Margaret closed the folder.
"Mrs. Ellis, I recommend that you avoid any private discussions with Kristen or Robert. If they contact you, keep the communication in writing.""
I nodded.
Then the doorbell rang.
All three of us turned.
Daniel stood.
"I'll get it.""
He looked through the glass panel.
"It's Patrick.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
Margaret raised a hand.
"Let him in. We have nothing to hide.""
Daniel opened the door.
Patrick entered carrying a cardboard box.
"Mom.""
I stood.
"What is that?""
He placed it on the floor.
"Some things I thought you should have.""
He looked at Margaret.
"You're her attorney?""
"Yes. Margaret Collins.""
Patrick nodded.
"Good. Maybe you can explain what Kristen and her father have done.""
Margaret remained calm.
"Perhaps you should explain what you know first.""
Patrick looked uncomfortable.
Then he sat down.
For several seconds, he stared at the table.
Finally, he opened the cardboard box.
Inside were printed emails, bank statements, and a small black notebook.
"I found these in Kristen's office.""
I looked at him.
"Why were you in her office?""
"Because I needed to know what she was doing.""
Daniel crossed his arms.
"And now?""
Patrick looked at me.
"Now I think she lied to me.""
He opened the notebook.
"Mom, Kristen told me the money from the property sale would be split between the development company and our family. She said we'd receive enough to pay off our debts.""
"And you believed her?""
"Yes.""
"Why?""
He looked ashamed.
"Because I wanted to believe there was a way out.""
Margaret examined one of the bank statements.
"Patrick, did you authorize any payments related to this transaction?""
He nodded.
"Three transfers.""
"To whom?""
"Whitmore Development.""
"How much?""
"Fifteen thousand dollars altogether.""
Daniel stared at him.
"Where did you get fifteen thousand dollars?""
Patrick hesitated.
"From a loan.""
I closed my eyes.
He had borrowed more money.
Margaret wrote something down.
"What were the payments for?""
Patrick opened the notebook.
"Kristen said they were administrative expenses. Appraisal fees, legal preparation, and a reservation deposit.""
"Did you receive receipts?""
"Yes.""
He handed over a folder.
Margaret examined the documents.
Then she stopped.
"Patrick, do you recognize this account number?""
He leaned forward.
"Yes. It's Robert's company account.""
Margaret pointed to a transfer confirmation.
"Then why was the money sent to a private consulting company?""
Patrick frowned.
"What?""
She turned the page.
The company name was unfamiliar.
"Northbridge Advisory Services.""
Patrick stared at it.
"Kristen said that was the company's legal division.""
Margaret looked up.
"Who owns it?""
"I don't know.""
Daniel picked up his phone.
"I can look it up.""
Margaret shook her head.
"Let's not speculate. We'll verify it properly.""
Patrick leaned back.
His face looked exhausted.
"Mom, I swear I didn't know about the fake power of attorney.""
I studied him.
"Did you know about the first document?""
"Yes.""
"Did you sign my name?""
He looked down.
"Yes.""
"Then you knew you were doing something wrong.""
He didn't answer.
I felt the old instinct rise inside me.
The instinct to comfort him.
To tell him that everything would be all right.
To make the problem smaller so he wouldn't have to feel the full weight of it.
But I stopped myself.
"Patrick, I love you. But you need to understand that love does not make dishonesty harmless.""
He nodded slowly.
"I know.""
"Do you?""
He looked at me.
"I think I'm starting to.""
Margaret closed the notebook.
"Patrick, I need you to be completely honest with us. Did anyone discuss using your mother's property as security for a loan?""
He went pale.
"Not exactly.""
"What does that mean?""
He rubbed his palms together.
"Kristen said her father needed proof that the property would be available before the end of the year. She said it was part of a financing arrangement.""
Margaret leaned forward.
"Was the property listed as collateral?""
Patrick shook his head.
"I don't know.""
I looked at him.
"Patrick, please.""
He swallowed.
"There was another document.""
"What document?""
"A conditional security agreement.""
Margaret's expression hardened.
"Where is it?""
"I don't have it.""
"Who does?""
"Kristen.""
Daniel stood.
"You're telling us they may have used Mom's house to secure a loan?""
Patrick shook his head quickly.
"I don't know if they completed it.""
Margaret gathered the papers.
"That is something we need to establish immediately.""
Patrick looked at me.
"Mom, I can help.""
I studied his face.
For the first time in months, he looked less like a man trying to control a situation and more like the frightened little boy who used to come into my bedroom after a nightmare.
But he was no longer a child.
And I could not rescue him from every consequence.
"Then tell us everything you know.""
He nodded.
He explained that Robert's development company had been struggling for almost two years. Several projects had stalled, and the company had borrowed heavily to purchase neighboring properties.
The Whitmores needed my house to complete the development.
Without it, the planned complex would lose its most valuable access point.
Robert had already accepted a large financing commitment based on the expectation that the property would be delivered.
Kristen had convinced Patrick that getting me to agree was only a formality.
"When did you first realize they were planning to proceed without Mom's direct approval?"" Daniel asked.
Patrick looked at his brother.
"Thanksgiving.""
Daniel stared.
"Thanksgiving?""
"When Thomas Bennett came to the house, I realized how far everything had gone.""
I shook my head.
"You knew before then.""
Patrick's eyes filled.
"Yes.""
"Why didn't you stop it?""
He lowered his head.
"Because I was scared.""
The answer was honest.
It was also insufficient.
Margaret stood.
"Patrick, I suggest you provide us with copies of everything you have. Do not delete any messages or contact anyone about these documents until we've discussed the next steps.""
He nodded.
Then his phone began ringing.
Kristen.
He looked at the screen.
Margaret said, "You don't have to answer.""
But Patrick stood.
"I need to.""
He walked into the kitchen.
The door remained slightly open.
We could hear Kristen's voice.
"Where are you?""
"At Mom's.""
"Why?""
"Because I found the paperwork.""
Silence.
Then Kristen's voice sharpened.
"What paperwork?""
"The emails. The transfers. Everything.""
Another pause.
"Patrick, you need to come home.""
"No.""
"Don't do this.""
"I want to know what Northbridge Advisory is.""
I watched Margaret's expression change.
Kristen lowered her voice.
"Who told you about Northbridge?""
"Your mother?""
"No. Your father.""
There was a long silence.
Then Kristen said something that made Patrick step backward.
"Your mother doesn't understand what she's interfering with.""
He replied quietly.
"She's the owner of the house.""
Kristen's voice became cold.
"Then perhaps you should remember who has been keeping your family financially afloat.""
Patrick ended the call.
He returned to the dining room looking shaken.
Margaret stood.
"Patrick, did she say anything else?""
He nodded.
"She said Robert has already borrowed money against the development agreement.""
"How much?""
Patrick looked at me.
"Two million dollars.""
I sat down slowly.
Two million.
For a development that depended on a house that wasn't for sale.
Margaret picked up her briefcase.
"We need to move quickly.""
Daniel looked at her.
"What happens now?""
"First, we formally notify the title company that Mrs. Ellis disputes the documents. Second, we preserve all evidence and investigate the attempted authorization. Third, we contact the lender to clarify whether any representation was made about the property.""
I looked at Patrick.
"Will Kristen know?""
"Eventually," Margaret replied.
Patrick shook his head.
"She'll know immediately. Her father will tell her.""
Margaret paused.
"Then let him.""
After Margaret left, Patrick remained seated.
He looked at the dining table.
At Gerald's old chair.
At the small scratch near the center.
"Do you remember when Dad made this table?"" he asked.
I nodded.
"He spent three weekends building it.""
Patrick smiled sadly.
"He wouldn't let me touch the tools.""
"He said you were too impatient.""
"I was.""
For a moment, we were simply mother and son.
Then Patrick looked at me.
"Mom, I don't expect you to forgive me. But I need to tell you something.""
"What?""
He reached into his jacket and removed a folded sheet of paper.
It was a copy of a loan application.
The property address was printed near the top.
My name appeared beneath it.
And in the section marked GUARANTOR, someone had typed:
*Dorothy Mae Ellis.*
I looked at the date.
It was three weeks before Thanksgiving.
I stared at my son.
"Patrick, did you know about this?""
He nodded slowly.
"Yes.""
My throat tightened.
"Then you knew they had already used my name before Mr. Bennett ever came to dinner.""
Patrick's eyes filled.
"I thought it was just a preliminary application.""
I held up the paper.
"Did you tell them I had agreed to guarantee the loan?""
May you like
He didn't answer.
And I didn't need him to.
