Chapter 5: The Second Agreement
I replayed the recording three times.
"Marcus still doesn't know about the second agreement.""
"By the time he finds out, Derek and I will already own everything.""
The words sounded different each time.
The first time, I was shocked.
The second time, I was angry.
By the third time, I was afraid.
Not for myself.
For my mother.
I immediately saved the recording to a separate account and forwarded it to Robert.
Then I called him.
He answered on the second ring.
"Marcus?""
"I have a recording.""
"What kind?""
"Nia talking about a second agreement. She says she and Derek will own everything.""
Robert went silent.
"Where did you get it?""
"An old security system my grandfather installed. It's still active.""
"Don't alter the recording. Don't edit it. Preserve the original file and send me the access details.""
"I already saved it.""
"Good. And Marcus, don't go looking for Nia.""
I looked at the staircase.
"She changed the front door code.""
"That doesn't matter. We can address access through the proper channels. What matters is the evidence.""
I rubbed my forehead.
"What is this second agreement?""
"I don't know yet.""
"Could it be another mortgage?""
"Possibly. But I don't want to speculate until I've seen the document.""
I ended the call.
Danielle came into the kitchen.
"What's happening?""
I showed her the recording.
She watched it without speaking.
When it ended, she looked at me.
"She really thinks she's going to own everything?""
"Apparently.""
My sister shook her head.
"Mom needs to know.""
I glanced toward the living room.
Evelyn was sitting quietly, looking through the old family photograph album.
I couldn't bring myself to show her.
Not yet.
She had already heard enough cruel words from the woman she once called her daughter.
I walked over.
"Mom, I'm going to take you to Danielle's house for a few days.""
She looked up.
"Why?""
"Just until we get everything sorted out.""
"Is Nia coming back?""
I hesitated.
"I don't know.""
My mother closed the album.
"Marcus, I don't want you to lose your marriage because of me.""
I sat beside her.
"Mom, this isn't happening because you asked for two hundred dollars.""
She looked at me.
"Then why?""
"Because somebody has been making decisions about our lives without our permission.""
She nodded slowly.
Then she reached for my hand.
"Your grandfather used to say that people show you who they are when they think nobody is watching.""
I swallowed.
"He was right.""
Danielle helped Mom pack.
I went upstairs to collect some documents.
In the bedroom, I noticed the top drawer of Nia's dresser was slightly open.
A small stack of papers was inside.
I hadn't intended to search through her belongings.
But one document had my name printed across the top.
I pulled it out.
It was a financial authorization form.
The heading read:
*LIMITED PROPERTY AND CREDIT AUTHORIZATION.*
Below it were details about a private lending company.
The borrower was listed as Marcus Carter.
The amount requested was $85,000.
But this wasn't the same mortgage application I had received.
This one contained a second signature.
My wife's.
And beneath it was a section stating that the borrower had authorized a third party to negotiate financing and receive funds on his behalf.
The third party was Derek Lawson.
I photographed every page and put the original back exactly where I had found it.
Then I noticed a small handwritten note tucked inside the folder.
It read:
Second agreement — after release of first funds.
I stood there, staring at the words.
The mortgage application wasn't the entire plan.
It was only the first step.
I heard Danielle calling from downstairs.
"Marcus, we're ready.""
I put the documents away and carried Mom's handbag to the car.
At Danielle's house, Evelyn settled into the guest bedroom.
My sister made her tea and brought her favorite blanket.
I stayed long enough to make sure she was comfortable.
Then I returned home.
The house was dark.
I turned on the kitchen light.
A message appeared on my phone.
Nia.
We need to talk. I'm coming home tomorrow.
I typed a reply.
Okay.
Then I stopped.
I wanted to ask where she had been.
I wanted to demand an explanation.
I wanted to tell her that I had heard everything.
But Robert's warning echoed in my mind.
Don't warn anyone.
So I put the phone down.
A few minutes later, another message arrived.
Please don't involve your mother in this. She's too old to understand complicated financial matters.
I stared at the screen.
Then I took a screenshot.
The next morning, Robert called.
"I reviewed the documents you sent.""
"What did you find?""
"The authorization form appears to be designed to allow a third party to negotiate financing using your identity.""
"Can it transfer the money to Derek?""
"If it were accepted, the instructions could potentially direct funds to an account controlled by him. But the lender still needs to verify the borrower's consent.""
"Which I never gave.""
"Correct.""
I walked toward the window.
"What about the second agreement?""
"That's what concerns me. Your wife's documents suggest a separate financing arrangement may have been prepared.""
"Can you find out where?""
"I'm making inquiries through the title company and the lender. I also want to speak with the attorney who drafted your grandfather's original property protections.""
"Why?""
"Because the second agreement may involve those restrictions.""
I looked toward the driveway.
Nia's car wasn't there.
"Robert, how quickly can we protect the house?""
"We can take immediate steps to dispute the unauthorized application and notify the relevant parties. We also need to secure your credit and document the property records.""
"Do it.""
"I will.""
Before ending the call, he added:
"Marcus, there's another issue.""
I sighed.
"What now?""
"The preliminary title search on your mother's cottage includes a reference to an outstanding private loan.""
I frowned.
"What loan?""
"An amount of approximately sixty thousand dollars.""
My stomach tightened.
"Mom never borrowed sixty thousand dollars.""
"I know. That's why I'm investigating.""
"Who is listed as the lender?""
Robert read the name.
"Sterling Financial Consulting.""
I closed my eyes.
The same company.
The same company that had received $3,500 from our joint credit card.
The same company linked to Derek.
"Can they claim the cottage as collateral?""
"Not without valid documentation. But if someone submitted fraudulent loan papers, we need to address it immediately.""
I looked at the clock.
"Send me everything.""
After the call, I contacted my bank and froze the affected accounts.
I changed my email password, removed unfamiliar devices, and requested additional security verification.
Then I checked our shared cloud storage.
A folder appeared that I had never noticed before.
It was named:
*PROPERTY PLAN.*
Inside were dozens of files.
I opened the first.
A spreadsheet listed three properties.
My house.
My mother's cottage.
And a small apartment building in another state.
The apartment building belonged to Derek.
The spreadsheet contained columns for estimated values, potential loans, and expected proceeds.
The first two properties had been marked in green.
The third had been marked in red.
Beside it was a note:
Clear Derek's outstanding obligations first.
I stared at the screen.
There was a total at the bottom.
$276,000.
That was the amount Nia and Derek appeared to be trying to raise.
I opened another file.
It was a draft email from Nia to Derek.
Once Marcus signs the second authorization, everything will be easier. His mother won't interfere if she believes the cottage is already tied up in the loan.
Derek had replied:
And if he refuses?
Nia's answer was chilling.
He won't. I'll tell him Mom needs the money. He always gives in when it comes to her.
I leaned back.
She had planned to use my love for my mother against me.
She knew I would do almost anything to help Evelyn.
And she had intended to exploit that instinct.
I forwarded the spreadsheet and emails to Robert.
Then I called Danielle.
"How's Mom?""
"She's okay. Why?""
"Don't let her answer any calls from Nia or Derek.""
Danielle became serious.
"What happened?""
"I found a loan connected to her cottage.""
"How much?""
"Sixty thousand dollars.""
My sister gasped.
"Marcus, what are we going to do?""
"Protect her property.""
There was a pause.
Then Danielle said:
"There's something Mom just remembered.""
"What?""
"She said Nia asked her to come to the cottage with her last month.""
"Why?""
"She claimed she wanted to take pictures for an insurance valuation.""
I gripped the phone.
"Did she go?""
"Yes.""
"Was Derek there?""
Danielle hesitated.
"Mom says there was a man waiting inside.""
I closed my eyes.
"Did she recognize him?""
"She says she didn't know his name.""
I stared at the spreadsheet.
"Did she sign anything?""
"No. But she remembers Nia asking her to leave the room for a few minutes.""
I felt a cold wave move through me.
"Did she?""
"Yes.""
I ended the call and immediately contacted Robert.
He asked me to send every detail.
Then he said something that made my heart race.
"Marcus, I found the second agreement.""
"Where?""
"At the county recording office.""
"What does it say?""
"It's a proposed transfer of your mother's property interest into a private investment entity.""
"Whose entity?""
Robert paused.
"An LLC registered under the name Lawson Residential Holdings.""
I looked at the spreadsheet.
Derek's company.
"Is it legal?""
"That's what we're investigating. But there's a serious problem with the document.""
"What problem?""
"The agreement claims Evelyn Carter voluntarily transferred her interest in the cottage in exchange for a loan.""
I swallowed.
"She never agreed to that.""
"I know. The signature appears inconsistent with her verified records.""
I closed my eyes.
Then Robert continued.
"There's something else, Marcus. The same LLC has filed paperwork involving your house.""
My stomach dropped.
"What paperwork?""
"A claim against the property.""
"On what basis?""
Robert hesitated.
"An alleged private loan agreement signed by you.""
I gripped the edge of the counter.
"I never signed a loan agreement.""
"I believe you. But I need to see the original.""
"Send me a copy.""
"I will.""
Five minutes later, the document arrived.
I opened it.
My name was printed at the top.
The amount was $191,000.
And beneath the amount was a description of the alleged collateral.
My house.
My mother's cottage.
And an additional clause involving future inheritance rights.
I scrolled to the signature page.
There it was.
My name.
My address.
My signature.
But this time, the imitation was perfect.
Someone had copied my actual signature from our original mortgage documents.
I zoomed in.
The date was October seventeenth.
The day Nia visited my mother.
The day the property purchase agreement had been created.
The day the second agreement had apparently been signed.
Then I noticed the witness signature.
My eyes widened.
I recognized the name.
It belonged to someone who had attended our wedding.
Someone who had sat at our family table.
May you like
Someone my mother trusted.
*Danielle Carter.*
