Chapter 9: The## Chapter 9: The Lawyer Who K Lawyer Who Knew Too Much
The next morning, Rebecca called beforenew Too Much
The next morning, Rebecca called before I had finished my coffee.
"Michael, I need you to I had finished my coffee.
"Michael, I need you to come in immediately.""
"What's happened?""
"I identified the attorney who prepared the ownership documents.""
"The one come in immediately.""
"What's happened?""
"I identified the attorney who prepared the ownership documents.""
"The one Ethan's document mentions?""
"Yes. His name is Andrew Collins Ethan's document mentions?""
"Yes. His name is Andrew Collins.""
I frowned.
"Do you know him?""
"I know of him. He handles property.""
I frowned.
"Do you know him?""
"I know of him. He handles property transfers, estate planning, and small-business registrations. But there's something unusual.""
"What transfers, estate planning, and small-business registrations. But there's something unusual.""
"What?""
"He represented your wife in the filing against your property.""
I looked at the document?""
"He represented your wife in the filing against your property.""
I looked at the document on my kitchen table.
"Isn't that a conflict of interest?""
"Not necessarily. But I found on my kitchen table.
"Isn't that a conflict of interest?""
"Not necessarily. But I found something that concerns me.""
"What?""
"Andrew Collins also prepared the operating agreement for Carter Family Holdings.""
something that concerns me.""
"What?""
"Andrew Collins also prepared the operating agreement for Carter Family Holdings.""
I looked toward Ethan.
He was eating cereal at the kitchen counter.
"He's theI looked toward Ethan.
He was eating cereal at the kitchen counter.
"He's the one who made Ethan's company?""
"According to the records, yes.""
I rubbed my forehead.
"Then he one who made Ethan's company?""
"According to the records, yes.""
I rubbed my forehead.
"Then he knew Vanessa was using Ethan's name.""
"We need to establish exactly what he knew and when.""
I ended the call.
Ethan put knew Vanessa was using Ethan's name.""
"We need to establish exactly what he knew and when.""
I ended the call.
Ethan put down his spoon.
"Is it about the company?""
"Yes.""
"Is she still trying down his spoon.
"Is it about the company?""
"Yes.""
"Is she still trying to make me sign?""
"Apparently.""
He pushed his bowl away.
"I won't.""
I sat across from him.
" to make me sign?""
"Apparently.""
He pushed his bowl away.
"I won't.""
I sat across from him.
"Good. And if she contacts you, save everything. Don't argue withGood.
And if she contacts you, save everything. Don't argue with her. Don't meet her alone.""
He nodded.
Then he asked:
"Do you think she's going to prison?""
I wasn't her. Don't meet her alone.""
He nodded.
Then he asked:
"Do you think she's going to prison?""
I wasn't prepared for the question.
"I don't know, son. That's not something we decide.""
He looked down.
"I just want her to prepared for the question.
"I don't know, son. That's not something we decide.""
He looked down.
"I just want her to stop.""
I reached across the counter and squeezed his shoulder.
"She will.""
stop.""
I reached across the counter and squeezed his shoulder.
"She will.""
At 10:00 a.m., I sat in Rebecca's conference room.
She had already arranged the documents into separate folders.
One contained the disputed***
At 10:00 a.m., I sat in Rebecca's conference room.
She had already arranged the documents into separate folders.
One contained the disputed signatures.
Another contained the financial transfers.
A third contained the company registration and property filings.
She placed a new document signatures.
Another contained the financial transfers.
A third contained the company registration and property filings.
She placed a new document in front of me.
"This is the attorney's engagement letter.""
I read the first page.
Andrew in front of me.
"This is the attorney's engagement letter.""
I read the first page.
Andrew Collins had represented Vanessa in connection with the property claim, the apartment lease, and the formation of Carter Family Collins had represented Vanessa in connection with the property claim, the apartment lease, and the formation of Carter Family Holdings LLC.
His fee arrangement included a percentage of any proceeds generated by Holdings LLC.
His fee arrangement included a percentage of any proceeds generated by the property transaction.
I looked up.
"He's getting paid if she sells my house?""
the property transaction.
I looked up.
"He's getting paid if she sells my house?""
"That's what the agreement says.""
"How much?""
"Eight percent of the transaction proceeds.""
I leaned"That's what the agreement says.""
"How much?""
"Eight percent of the transaction proceeds.""
I leaned back.
"So if the house sells for $575,000, he gets $46,000?""
"Correct back.
"So if the house sells for $575,000, he gets $46,000?""
"Correct.""
I stared at the document.
"That explains why he was so interested in getting the ownership paperwork finalized.""
Rebecca nodded.
"Possibly..""
I stared at the document.
"That explains why he was so interested in getting the ownership paperwork finalized.""
Rebecca nodded.
"Possibly. But we need to be careful about assumptions.""
She opened another folder.
"This is the document that concerns me most.""
It But we need to be careful about assumptions.""
She opened another folder.
"This is the document that concerns me most.""
It was an email exchange between Collins and Vanessa.
The date was September 3.
*Collins:* The ownership claim was an email exchange between Collins and Vanessa.
The date was September 3.
*Collins:* The ownership claim needs supporting evidence. Your personal contributions alone may not be sufficient.
*Vanessa:* I have the renovation records.
needs supporting evidence. Your personal contributions alone may not be sufficient.
*Vanessa:* I have the renovation records.
*Collins:* Those records appear to show payments from your husband's business.
*Vanessa:**Collins:* Those records appear to show payments from your husband's business.
*Vanessa:* He agreed that I would receive credit for managing the improvements.
*Collins:* Do He agreed that I would receive credit for managing the improvements.
*Collins:* Do you have written confirmation?
*Vanessa:* Not yet. But I can obtain it.
I read the next message.
**Collins you have written confirmation?
*Vanessa:* Not yet. But I can obtain it.
I read the next message.
*Collins:* I would not recommend proceeding with a transfer until the supporting documentation is complete.
Vanessa's reply was dated September 6:** I would not recommend proceeding with a transfer until the supporting documentation is complete.
Vanessa's reply was dated September 6.
*Vanessa:* The final document will be signed. I have access to the relevant information.
I looked.
*Vanessa:* The final document will be signed. I have access to the relevant information.
I looked at Rebecca.
"What does that mean?""
"It could mean she intended to obtain your signature. at Rebecca.
"What does that mean?""
"It could mean she intended to obtain your signature. It could also mean she believed she had another way to establish her claim.""
I continued reading.
The next email It could also mean she believed she had another way to establish her claim.""
I continued reading.
The next email was from Collins.
*Collins:* Please ensure that the signature on the ownership acknowledgment is properly witnessed. I cannot was from Collins.
*Collins:* Please ensure that the signature on the ownership acknowledgment is properly witnessed. I cannot submit another document with incomplete verification.
I stopped.
" submit another document with incomplete verification.
I stopped.
"Another document?""
Rebecca nodded.
"That's what I noticed.""
She pulled out theAnother document?""
Rebecca nodded.
"That's what I noticed.""
She pulled out the earlier property filing.
"Remember the document supposedly witnessed by Madison?""
"Yes.""
"Coll earlier property filing.
"Remember the document supposedly witnessed by Madison?""
"Yes.""
"Collins was involved in preparing it.""
I stared at her.
"Did he know Madison hadn't signed?""
"Weins was involved in preparing it.""
I stared at her.
"Did he know Madison hadn't signed?""
"We don't know. But he was communicating directly with Vanessa about the filing.""
"Can we ask him?""
"We don't know. But he was communicating directly with Vanessa about the filing.""
"Can we ask him?""
"We can send a formal request for the original documents and supporting records. We can send a formal request for the original documents and supporting records. We can also report the suspected unauthorized use of signatures to the appropriate authorities.""
I nodded.
"Do it.""
Rebecca closed can also report the suspected unauthorized use of signatures to the appropriate authorities.""
I nodded.
"Do it.""
Rebecca closed the folder.
Then her phone rang.
She answered.
"Rebecca Shaw.""
A man's voice came through loudly enough the folder.
Then her phone rang.
She answered.
"Rebecca Shaw.""
A man's voice came through loudly enough for me to hear.
"Rebecca, this is Andrew Collins. I understand you've been contacting my client's financial for me to hear.
"Rebecca, this is Andrew Collins. I understand you've been contacting my client's financial institutions.""
Rebecca straightened.
"Mr. Collins. I was about to contact you.""
"I'd institutions.""
Rebecca straightened.
"Mr. Collins. I was about to contact you.""
"I'd prefer we resolve this without escalating matters.""
"That depends on what matters we're discussing.""
There prefer we resolve this without escalating matters.""
"That depends on what matters we're discussing.""
There was a pause.
Then he said:
"Your client is interfering with a legitimate property arrangement.""
Rebecca glanced at me.
"My client owns was a pause.
Then he said:
"Your client is interfering with a legitimate property arrangement.""
Rebecca glanced at me.
"My client owns the property. He disputes the documents submitted on behalf of your client.""
" the property. He disputes the documents submitted on behalf of your client.""
"Mrs. Carter has a substantial financial interest.""
"Based on what evidence?""
"The renovation expenses and her contributionsMrs. Carter has a substantial financial interest.""
"Based on what evidence?""
"The renovation expenses and her contributions to the household.""
"Those are not proof of property ownership.""
"That will be for a to the household.""
"Those are not proof of property ownership.""
"That will be for a court to decide.""
Rebecca's voice remained calm.
"Mr. Collins, did you personally verify Michael court to decide.""
Rebecca's voice remained calm.
"Mr. Collins, did you personally verify Michael Carter's signature on the ownership acknowledgment?""
Silence.
Then:
"I prepared the documents based on information provided by my client.""
"That Carter's signature on the ownership acknowledgment?""
Silence.
Then:
"I prepared the documents based on information provided by my client.""
"That wasn't my question.""
"I am not going to discuss privileged communications.""
Rebecca leaned back.
"Did you witness wasn't my question.""
"I am not going to discuss privileged communications.""
Rebecca leaned back.
"Did you witness Michael Carter signing the document?""
"No.""
"Did you witness Madison Carter signing her sworn statement?""
"I Michael Carter signing the document?""
"No.""
"Did you witness Madison Carter signing her sworn statement?""
"I don't recall the circumstances.""
I looked at Rebecca.
She made a note.
" don't recall the circumstances.""
I looked at Rebecca.
She made a note.
"Thank you," she said.
"Please preserve all original documents and electronic communications relating toThank you," she said.
"Please preserve all original documents and electronic communications relating to these transactions.""
Collins sounded irritated.
"Are you threatening me?""
"No. I'm advising these transactions.""
Collins sounded irritated.
"Are you threatening me?""
"No. I'm advising you that evidence must be preserved.""
She ended the call.
I stared at her.
"He didn't deny you that evidence must be preserved.""
She ended the call.
I stared at her.
"He didn't deny it.""
"No," she said.
"But we shouldn't treat that as proof of wrongdoing.""
She placed her phone on the it.""
"No," she said.
"But we shouldn't treat that as proof of wrongdoing.""
She placed her phone on the table.
"Michael, I want to make one thing clear. Your wife may have a claim table.
"Michael, I want to make one thing clear. Your wife may have a claim for certain expenses if she can prove she paid them. But that is very different from owning half the house.""
I nodded.
"And for certain expenses if she can prove she paid them. But that is very different from owning half the house.""
I nodded.
"And the signatures?""
"If they were unauthorized, that's a serious issue. The relevant authorities will need to the signatures?""
"If they were unauthorized, that's a serious issue. The relevant authorities will need to investigate.""
I looked down at the documents.
For the first time, I felt that we were finally moving in the right direction.
But I was still investigate.""
I looked down at the documents.
For the first time, I felt that we were finally moving in the right direction.
But I was still worried about Ethan.
Because Vanessa had threatened him with criminal accusations.
And I wasn't going to worried about Ethan.
Because Vanessa had threatened him with criminal accusations.
And I wasn't going to let my son carry the consequences of something he hadn't knowingly done.
That afternoon, Ethan received a call from an unknown number.
He let my son carry the consequences of something he hadn't knowingly done.
That afternoon, Ethan received a call from an unknown number.
He answered on speaker.
"Hello?""
"Is this Ethan Carter?""
"Yes.""
"This is Andrew Collins. I'm answered on speaker.
"Hello?""
"Is this Ethan Carter?""
"Yes.""
"This is Andrew Collins. I'm the attorney representing your mother.""
Ethan looked at me.
I nodded for him to remain calm.
"What do you want?""
the attorney representing your mother.""
Ethan looked at me.
I nodded for him to remain calm.
"What do you want?""
"I understand there's been some confusion regarding Carter Family Holdings.""
"There's no"I understand there's been some confusion regarding Carter Family Holdings.""
"There's no confusion. I didn't know I owned a company.""
Collins gave a short laugh.
"Your signature is confusion. I didn't know I owned a company.""
Collins gave a short laugh.
"Your signature is on the operating agreement.""
"I didn't understand what I was signing.""
"That doesn't necessarily invalidate the agreement.""
Ethan's hands on the operating agreement.""
"I didn't understand what I was signing.""
"That doesn't necessarily invalidate the agreement.""
Ethan's hands tightened around the phone.
"Then why did my mother tell me it was a college savings account?""
There tightened around the phone.
"Then why did my mother tell me it was a college savings account?""
There was a pause.
"That's something you should discuss with your mother.""
"She told me to give her my Social Security number and sign papers was a pause.
"That's something you should discuss with your mother.""
"She told me to give her my Social Security number and sign papers. She never said I was going to be responsible for a company.""
"Mr. Carter, I'm. She never said I was going to be responsible for a company.""
"Mr. Carter, I'm not interested in arguing with you.""
"Then stop calling me.""
Collins sighed.
"I would advise you not to make statements that could complic not interested in arguing with you.""
"Then stop calling me.""
Collins sighed.
"I would advise you not to make statements that could complicate your legal position.""
Ethan looked at me.
I stepped closer.
"Mr. Collins, this is Michael Carter.ate your legal position.""
Ethan looked at me.
I stepped closer.
"Mr. Collins, this is Michael Carter. Direct all future communication to Rebecca Shaw.""
"Michael, I think Direct all future communication to Rebecca Shaw.""
"Michael, I think we should have a conversation.""
"No.""
"Your wife has rights.""
"Then establish them through the proper process.""
He we should have a conversation.""
"No.""
"Your wife has rights.""
"Then establish them through the proper process.""
He paused.
Then he said something unexpected.
"You may want to reconsider how much you know about your wife's financial arrangements.""
I frowned.
"What does paused.
Then he said something unexpected.
"You may want to reconsider how much you know about your wife's financial arrangements.""
I frowned.
"What does that mean?""
"It means you may not be aware of everything she's done.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Are you suggesting there are more accounts?""
Collins didn't answer.
Instead, he said:
"Good afternoon, Mr. Carter.""
Then that mean?""
"It means you may not be aware of everything she's done.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Are you suggesting there are more accounts?""
Collins didn't answer.
Instead, he said:
"Good afternoon, Mr. Carter.""
Then the call ended.
I looked at Ethan.
"Did you recognize his voice?""
"No.""
I took his phone and the call ended.
I looked at Ethan.
"Did you recognize his voice?""
"No.""
I took his phone and saved the call details.
Then I contacted Rebecca.
She wasn't pleased when I explained what had happened.
"Don't speak saved the call details.
Then I contacted Rebecca.
She wasn't pleased when I explained what had happened.
"Don't speak to him again," she said.
"If he has information about additional accounts, he can provide it through the proper channels.""
"Do you to him again," she said.
"If he has information about additional accounts, he can provide it through the proper channels.""
"Do you think he's trying to scare us?""
"Possibly. Or he may be trying to protect himself. think he's trying to scare us?""
"Possibly. Or he may be trying to protect himself. Either way, we need the records.""
I ended the call.
Ethan stood beside the kitchen counter.
"What's going Either way, we need the records.""
I ended the call.
Ethan stood beside the kitchen counter.
"What's going to happen to the company?""
"We'll deal with it.""
"What about the money?""
"We'll trace to happen to the company?""
"We'll deal with it.""
"What about the money?""
"We'll trace it.""
He nodded.
Then he looked toward the staircase.
"Madison is upstairs.""
"I know.""
"She it.""
He nodded.
Then he looked toward the staircase.
"Madison is upstairs.""
"I know.""
"She hasn't eaten.""
I glanced at the clock.
It was nearly six.
I went upstairs and knocked hasn't eaten.""
I glanced at the clock.
It was nearly six.
I went upstairs and knocked on the guest bedroom door.
"Madison?""
"Yeah?""
"Can I come in?""
She opened the door on the guest bedroom door.
"Madison?""
"Yeah?""
"Can I come in?""
She opened the door.
Her eyes were red.
I noticed an open suitcase on the bed.
"Are you packing?""
She nodded.
"I think I should leave.""
"Where.
Her eyes were red.
I noticed an open suitcase on the bed.
"Are you packing?""
She nodded.
"I think I should leave.""
"Where would you go?""
"Maybe to a friend's.""
I leaned against the doorframe would you go?""
"Maybe to a friend's.""
I leaned against the doorframe.
"Why?""
She looked away.
"Because I don't want to keep causing problems.""
I shook.
"Why?""
She looked away.
"Because I don't want to keep causing problems.""
I shook my head.
"You're not causing these problems.""
"But my mother—"
"Your mother made her my head.
"You're not causing these problems.""
"But my mother—"
"Your mother made her own decisions.""
Madison sat on the edge of the bed.
"She keeps saying you're trying to turn me against her.""
own decisions.""
Madison sat on the edge of the bed.
"She keeps saying you're trying to turn me against her.""
I pulled a chair closer.
"Madison, I don't need to turn you against anybody. I needI pulled a chair closer.
"Madison, I don't need to turn you against anybody. I need you to understand that you don't have to lie for someone just because you love them.""
She you to understand that you don't have to lie for someone just because you love them.""
She began crying.
"I thought she was doing everything for me.""
"I know.""
"She bought me that laptop. began crying.
"I thought she was doing everything for me.""
"I know.""
"She bought me that laptop. She promised me an apartment. She said I wouldn't have to worry about money.""
I looked at her.
" She promised me an apartment. She said I wouldn't have to worry about money.""
I looked at her.
"Did she ever ask you to do anything in return?""
Madison hesitated.
Then she reachedDid she ever ask you to do anything in return?""
Madison hesitated.
Then she reached into her suitcase.
She pulled out a small notebook.
"I found this in the blue folder.""
I opened it.
It into her suitcase.
She pulled out a small notebook.
"I found this in the blue folder.""
I opened it.
It contained handwritten notes.
Dates.
Amounts.
Names.
Several pages referred to apartment expenses, property improvements, and bank transfers contained handwritten notes.
Dates.
Amounts.
Names.
Several pages referred to apartment expenses, property improvements, and bank transfers.
Then I saw something that made me stop.
A heading near the bottom of the page read:
**E.
Then I saw something that made me stop.
A heading near the bottom of the page read:
*Ethan — Monthly Contributions.*
Beneath it were eight dates.
Each date matched one of Ethan's rent payments.
But beside each payment was a second column.
*Purpose: Relocation Reserve.*
I looked at Madison.
"Did your mother write this?""
"Yes. Ithan — Monthly Contributions.**
Beneath it were eight dates.
Each date matched one of Ethan's rent payments.
But beside each payment was a second column.
*Purpose: Relocation Reserve.*
I looked at Madison.
"Did your mother write this?""
"Yes. I recognize her handwriting.""
I turned another page.
There was a list of expenses under the heading:
**Property Acquisition Costs recognize her handwriting.""
I turned another page.
There was a list of expenses under the heading:
*Property Acquisition Costs.*
One entry stood out.
*Initial investor payment — $30,000.*
.**
One entry stood out.
*Initial investor payment — $30,000.*
Another:
*Legal and documentation — $6,500.*
Then:
*Ethan account setup — $1,200.*
I frowned.
"What is this?""
Madison leaned closer.
"I don't know.""
I read the next line.
**Final transfer authorizationAnother:
*Legal and documentation — $6,500.*
Then:
*Ethan account setup — $1,200.*
I frowned.
"What is this?""
Madison leaned closer.
"I don't know.""
I read the next line.
*Final transfer authorization — pending.*
At the bottom was a date.
November 15.
Today was November 2.
— pending.**
At the bottom was a date.
November 15.
Today was November 2.
I looked at the calendar on my phone.
Thirteen days.
Whatever Vanessa had planned, sheI looked at the calendar on my phone.
Thirteen days.
Whatever Vanessa had planned, she was still waiting for something.
Then I noticed a final handwritten note.
**Once Michael's guarantee is activated, release was still waiting for something.
Then I noticed a final handwritten note.
*Once Michael's guarantee is activated, release the remaining funds.*
I slowly closed the notebook.
She wasn't finished.
Not even close the remaining funds.**
I slowly closed the notebook.
She wasn't finished.
Not even close.
And the most frightening part was that the apartment, the home equity loan, and the attempted property.
And the most frightening part was that the apartment, the home equity loan, and the attempted property sale might only have been pieces of a much larger financial arrangement.
I took sale might only have been pieces of a much larger financial arrangement.
I took photographs of every page and sent them to Rebecca.
Then I looked at Madison.
"Where did you find this?""
"In the blue folder. There was another envelope underneath photographs of every page and sent them to Rebecca.
Then I looked at Madison.
"Where did you find this?""
"In the blue folder. There was another envelope underneath it.""
"What envelope?""
She reached into her suitcase again.
This time, she pulled it.""
"What envelope?""
She reached into her suitcase again.
This time, she pulled out a sealed white envelope.
My name was written across the front.
Michael Carter.
The handwriting was out a sealed white envelope.
My name was written across the front.
Michael Carter.
The handwriting was Vanessa's.
I opened it carefully.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
It wasn't a letter.
It was Vanessa's.
I opened it carefully.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
It wasn't a letter.
It was a draft agreement.
And the title made my blood run cold.
**IR a draft agreement.
And the title made my blood run cold.
*IRREVOCABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY — FINANCIAL AND PROPERTY AUTHORITY.*
My name was printed at the top.
REVOCABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY — FINANCIAL AND PROPERTY AUTHORITY.**
My name was printed at the top.
Vanessa's name appeared as the person receiving authority.
The signature line was blank.
ButVanessa's name appeared as the person receiving authority.
The signature line was blank.
But beneath it was a handwritten note:
**To be signed after the family meeting. beneath it was a handwritten note:
*To be signed after the family meeting. Do not present before November 15.*
I stared at the date.
Then I understood why Do not present before November 15.**
I stared at the date.
Then I understood why Vanessa had kept telling everyone Vanessa had kept telling everyone I would eventually sign.
She hadn't needed my signature yet.
She had been waiting for the right moment.
And according to the note, she had planned to get it in thirteen days.
I would eventually sign.
She hadn't needed my signature yet.
May you like
She had been waiting for the right moment.
And according to the note, she had planned to get it in thirteen days.
