Chapter 7 - What Brenda Was Trying to Hide
The probate hearing lasted less than an hour.
Jonathan presented Shirley’s attorney records, the bank’s report of attempted unauthorized access, and the police report documenting the break-in.
Brenda arrived with a lawyer she had hired that morning.
Her lawyer argued that Nora was creating suspicion from ordinary family disagreements.
The judge disagreed.
“The court has a duty to preserve possible estate documents,” she said. “An emergency inventory of Safe-Deposit Box 214 is authorized.”
The order required the presence of the bank manager, an estate attorney, Nora, Brenda, and an independent witness. Because of the suspected forged power of attorney, Detective Brooks was also permitted to attend.
The box would be opened at three that afternoon.
Outside the courtroom, Brenda approached Nora.
“You have no idea what you are starting.”
“It started before Grandma died.”
“I protected her from financial stress.”
“You took her money.”
Brenda glanced around the hallway.
“Your grandmother gave me access.”
“Then why did you need a false power of attorney?”
For the first time, fear replaced Brenda’s anger.
“I did what I had to do.”
“To save your company?”
“To save everything.”
Brenda explained that her property development business owed nearly six hundred thousand dollars. Investors were threatening lawsuits. She had borrowed from Shirley with the intention of returning the money after selling a condominium project.
The project failed.
“Mother had more than she needed,” Brenda said. “The house alone is worth a fortune now.”
“It was not yours.”
“She was going to leave it to you.”
“That did not give you the right to take it first.”
Brenda stepped closer.
“Nora, listen to me. If there is a will in that box, we can handle it privately. Families do not call police on each other.”
“Families do not forge signatures.”
Brenda’s mouth tightened.
“You think Grandma was perfect? She controlled everyone with kindness. She made me feel like I owed her for every mistake.”
Nora shook her head.
“She gave you chances. You treated them as permission.”
Brenda walked away.
At two twenty, Nora received a call from Helen Porter.
“Someone contacted the bank claiming the court order had been canceled,” Helen said.
“Who?”
“The caller identified herself as an employee of Mr. Hale’s office. We verified that the call was fraudulent.”
Nora looked toward Jonathan.
He was standing only a few feet away.
Brenda had made one final attempt to delay the opening.
Detective Brooks requested the bank’s call records.
By the time everyone arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Bank, the building’s security staff had already been alerted.
Nora entered the vault area with the brass key in her hand.
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Brenda arrived ten minutes late.
She looked at the gray metal box on the table and immediately understood that nothing could stop it from being opened.
