Chapter 7: The House They Had Already Sold
Marcus called Rebecca before he did anything else.
It was 8:42 p.m.
The blue suitcase was still open on the garage floor, and Olivia's photograph was lying on top of Lily's pajamas.
"Rebecca, I need you to listen carefully.""
He explained what Claire had sent him, including the temporary care agreement and the property settlement acknowledgment.
When he finished, Rebecca was silent for a moment.
"Do not sign anything. Do not agree to any meeting with the broker. And do not let Lily leave with anyone until we've clarified the legal situation.""
"I won't.""
"Have you contacted the title company?""
"No. I don't even know which company they're using.""
"Find out. If someone has submitted a fraudulent authorization, we need to identify the transaction immediately.""
Marcus looked at the document again.
Richard Cole's name appeared beneath the witness section.
"There's something else. My stepson recorded my wife and her mother discussing a transfer. They mentioned a title.""
"Preserve the original recording. Don't edit it.""
"I have it.""
"Good. I'll contact a property attorney first thing tomorrow. In the meantime, send me everything.""
Marcus forwarded the documents.
Then he called Claire again.
"Can you come over tomorrow?""
"Of course.""
"Bring the original document Vanessa sent you.""
"I will.""
Claire hesitated.
"Marcus?""
"Yes?""
"Please don't let Lily find out about this from anyone else.""
Marcus looked toward the staircase.
"I won't.""
The next morning, Vanessa behaved as though nothing had happened.
She came downstairs wearing a cream sweater and black trousers, carrying a takeaway coffee.
"Morning.""
Marcus was sitting at the kitchen table.
"Where are you going?""
"Meeting my mother.""
"About what?""
She took a sip of coffee.
"Business.""
"Richard Cole?""
Her hand stopped halfway to her mouth.
Then she continued drinking.
"Why are you asking about him?""
"Because he's listed as a witness on a document containing my forged signature.""
Vanessa placed the cup down.
"That document was only a draft.""
"Why was my sister asked to sign it?""
"Because we needed to know whether she could help Lily.""
"By taking her away while you arrange to sell my house?""
Vanessa laughed nervously.
"You're making accusations you can't prove.""
Marcus slid his phone across the table.
On the screen was Claire's photograph of the document.
Vanessa glanced at it.
Then she pushed the phone away.
"That isn't what it looks like.""
"Then tell me what it looks like.""
She folded her arms.
"Richard was helping me understand the property's value. My mother thought we should consider selling because your mortgage payments are too high.""
Marcus stared at her.
"Our mortgage payments?""
"We have a lot of expenses.""
"Then why didn't you discuss selling the house with me?""
"Because you would never listen.""
"Did you tell Richard I had agreed?""
Vanessa didn't answer.
Marcus stood.
"Did you?""
She walked toward the refrigerator.
"You're acting like this is some criminal conspiracy.""
"Three documents have been submitted using my signature. My daughter has been told to pack a suitcase. My sister has been asked to sign a custody arrangement that includes a property settlement. What exactly would you call it?""
Vanessa turned.
"You're making everything sound sinister because you want to punish me.""
Marcus shook his head.
"I want to know why you needed my daughter out of the house before discussing a property sale.""
Vanessa's eyes narrowed.
"Maybe because you would never put your wife first.""
Marcus stared at her.
"Putting you first never meant putting Lily last.""
For several seconds, neither moved.
Then Vanessa picked up her handbag.
"Fine. I'll go.""
She walked toward the door.
Marcus called after her.
"Where are you meeting Richard?""
She stopped.
"Why?""
"Because my attorney will need to know.""
Vanessa turned.
"Your attorney doesn't control my appointments.""
"No. But he will be interested in any attempt to sell property you don't own.""
Her face went pale.
She opened the front door and left.
Marcus watched her car disappear down the driveway.
Then he checked the security camera.
Vanessa wasn't driving toward her mother's house.
She was heading in the opposite direction.
At 10:30, Claire arrived carrying a folder.
She hugged Marcus before sitting down.
"I'm sorry.""
"You didn't do anything wrong.""
"I should have called you.""
Marcus shook his head.
"Let's just figure out what's happening.""
Claire opened the folder.
Inside were printed emails between Vanessa and Richard Cole.
The first was dated three weeks earlier.
*Vanessa: We need to get the property paperwork ready before Marcus changes his mind.*
Richard had replied:
*Richard: I can't list the property without the required ownership documents.*
Another email followed.
*Vanessa: I can get him to sign. We just need to settle Lily's arrangements first.*
Marcus stared at the screen.
Claire pointed toward the next page.
"There's more.""
The email thread continued.
*Richard: What happens if he refuses?*
*Vanessa: He won't have much choice once the other documents are filed. My mother says the refinancing will take care of the rest.*
Marcus read it twice.
Then he looked at Claire.
"Did you know she was planning to sell the house?""
"No. I thought she wanted to help Lily.""
Claire's voice cracked.
"She told me you were struggling. She said you wanted Lily to have a quieter environment and that you were considering moving somewhere smaller.""
Marcus rubbed his face.
"I've never said any of that.""
"I know.""
Claire handed him another sheet.
"This one was attached to the email.""
It was a preliminary property valuation.
The estimated selling price was considerably higher than Marcus expected.
At the bottom was a projected distribution of proceeds.
A mortgage balance.
A proposed payment to Elaine.
A payment to Vanessa's business.
And a final amount labeled:
*Seller's remaining equity — to be held pending household settlement.*
Marcus frowned.
"Why is Elaine receiving money?""
Claire pointed to a note beside the figure.
"Apparently, she claims she contributed to the property's improvement costs.""
Marcus shook his head.
"She paid for new kitchen cabinets. I reimbursed her.""
"Do you have proof?""
"Bank transfers. Every payment.""
Claire nodded.
"Then keep them.""
Marcus looked again at the proposed distribution.
The amount allocated to Vanessa's business was nearly one hundred and ninety thousand dollars.
He felt his stomach tighten.
Her business debt was one hundred and eighty-six thousand.
She wasn't merely trying to save her boutique.
She was trying to use the sale of his home to erase her debt.
And she had planned to make it look like a mutually agreed family decision.
At noon, Rebecca called.
"Marcus, I have an update.""
"Go ahead.""
"I contacted the property attorney and requested a preliminary title review. The house is currently registered in your name alone, correct?""
"Yes.""
"Good. There's no completed transfer. However, Richard Cole has been circulating a proposed listing agreement.""
Marcus closed his eyes.
"Has he listed it?""
"Not publicly. But he has contacted at least one prospective buyer.""
"Without my permission?""
"That's what we're investigating.""
Marcus stood.
"Can you stop him?""
"We've sent a formal notice requiring him to cease any representation that the property is available for sale without your written authorization.""
"Thank you.""
Rebecca paused.
"There's something else. The title company received a request to verify a document purporting to show that you had authorized a future sale.""
Marcus gripped the phone.
"Who submitted it?""
"Richard Cole.""
Marcus looked at Claire.
She had gone completely still.
"Rebecca, what happens now?""
"We're requesting the original submission and its audit trail. If the signature was fabricated, we'll preserve that evidence for the appropriate investigation.""
Marcus thanked her.
When he ended the call, Claire whispered, "He actually thought he could sell your house?""
Marcus looked toward the hallway.
"He thought he could get away with it.""
That evening, Ethan came downstairs carrying his phone.
"Dad?""
Marcus looked up.
"What's wrong?""
"Mom called.""
Marcus put down his paperwork.
"What did she say?""
"She wants Noah and me to go to Grandma's tomorrow morning.""
"Did she explain why?""
Ethan shook his head.
"She said we need to be ready early.""
Marcus glanced at the clock.
It was nearly eight.
"Did she say anything about Lily?""
Ethan hesitated.
"She said Lily wouldn't be coming.""
Marcus felt his jaw tighten.
"Did she say why?""
"She said you were making things difficult.""
Marcus sat beside him.
"Listen, Ethan. You and Noah can visit your grandmother if you want. But nobody should ask you to lie, hide things, or carry messages between adults.""
Ethan nodded.
Then he looked at the floor.
"Can I tell you something?""
"Of course.""
"Mom said if the house sells, we might all move somewhere bigger.""
Marcus studied him.
"Did she say where?""
"Grandma's neighborhood.""
"Did she mention Lily?""
Ethan nodded.
"She said there wouldn't be enough room for everyone.""
Marcus looked away.
For a moment, he couldn't speak.
Then he pulled Ethan into a hug.
"You're a good kid. None of this is your fault.""
Ethan hugged him back.
"I don't want Lily to go.""
Marcus closed his eyes.
"Neither do I.""
At 10:15 p.m., Marcus was checking Lily's schoolbag when his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
"Hello?""
A man's voice spoke.
"Mr. Reed? This is Richard Cole.""
Marcus straightened.
"How did you get my number?""
"Your wife provided it. I think we need to clear up a misunderstanding.""
Marcus looked toward the staircase.
"There's no misunderstanding.""
"Listen, I'm a professional. I don't get involved in family disputes.""
"Then why did you submit a property authorization with my forged signature?""
Richard went silent.
Then he said, "I was given documents that appeared to be properly authorized.""
"By whom?""
"Your wife.""
"Did you verify them?""
"We were in the preliminary stages.""
Marcus laughed without humor.
"You were circulating a listing agreement for a house you had no authority to sell.""
Richard sighed.
"Mr. Reed, perhaps we can arrange a meeting. Your wife says you're under considerable financial pressure.""
"My finances are none of your business.""
"I was told the property was going to be sold regardless.""
"By whom?""
Another pause.
Then Richard said, "Your mother-in-law.""
Marcus leaned against the counter.
"Why?""
"She said there was a private family agreement.""
"There wasn't.""
Richard cleared his throat.
"Look, I don't want trouble.""
"Then send every document you received from Vanessa and Elaine to my attorney.""
"I'll need to speak with my legal department.""
"Fine. Speak with them.""
Marcus ended the call.
His phone vibrated almost immediately.
A message from Richard appeared.
*Richard: There's something you should know. Your wife told me the property was being transferred as part of a divorce settlement. She also told me you had already agreed to release your ownership interest.*
Marcus stared at the message.
Then another arrived.
*Richard: I have a copy of the settlement agreement. You may want to see it before your wife finds out I contacted you.*
A photograph appeared.
Marcus opened it.
The document was titled:
*MARITAL PROPERTY AND FINANCIAL SETTLEMENT — PRELIMINARY EXECUTION COPY.*
His name was typed beneath a paragraph agreeing to transfer his interest in the house.
The signature looked familiar.
It was the same forged signature.
But something else caught his eye.
The agreement listed the proposed settlement date.
Saturday.
Tomorrow.
Marcus looked at the clock.
It was 10:21 p.m.
Then his phone rang again.
This time, it was Claire.
"Marcus, where are you?""
"At home. What's wrong?""
"Vanessa just called me.""
"What did she say?""
Claire sounded frightened.
"She said she was coming to collect Lily at eight-thirty tomorrow morning, and if you refused, she would tell everyone you were preventing her from seeing the child.""
Marcus stood.
"She's not collecting Lily.""
"I know. But Marcus, there's something else.""
"What?""
"She said Richard has already found a buyer.""
Marcus looked at the document.
"Who?""
Claire lowered her voice.
Then she said a name that made his blood run cold.
"Elaine Parker.""
His mother-in-law wasn't simply helping Vanessa sell the house.
She was the buyer.
And the proposed price was almost half the property's actual value.
Marcus looked toward Lily's bedroom.
May you like
Tomorrow morning, they were planning to take his daughter away and take his house at the same time.
He wasn't going to let either happen.
