Chapter 2 - the stolen signature
The first warning arrived in an envelope from a title company.
Theresa found it beneath advertisements near the recycling bin. It had already been opened.
Inside was a request to confirm a property valuation.
Austin entered while she was reading.
“What is this?” she asked.
His expression changed for less than a second. Then he smiled.
“Just paperwork. I was looking into options.”
“For my house?”
“For your future. This place is too big for you.”
“I am not selling.”
“No one said you were.”
The next morning, Theresa called the company. A representative explained that someone had requested documents for an equity loan and a future transfer of ownership.
The request included a power of attorney carrying Theresa’s signature.
She had never signed one.
That evening, she opened the fireproof box David kept beneath the bed. The original deed was gone. So were bank statements, David’s death certificate, and a folder about a private investment account.
Her heart hammered, but she did not confront Austin.
Instead, she called Miriam Rosen, the attorney who had handled David’s estate.
Miriam listened without interrupting.
“Do you feel safe in the house?” she asked.
Theresa looked toward the hallway where Austin’s footsteps moved past.
“Yes. For now.”
“Do not accuse him. Bring me every document you can find.”
Theresa looked at David’s note on the nightstand.
“All right.”
That was the moment grief stopped controlling her life.
May you like
Fear took its place.
Then fear became a plan.
