Chapter 7 - Frank's Signature)
Nora hired a forensic document examiner.
Abby hated the phrase.
It made the situation sound criminal before Abby had emotionally accepted that it might be.
The examiner's report arrived five days later.
He could not prove with absolute certainty who wrote the signature on the loan affidavit.
He could conclude that the signature was highly inconsistent with Abby's known signatures.
More importantly, another signature on the lender file matched Frank's handwriting.
It appeared beneath a certification.
Applicant confirms all consents were executed knowingly.
Frank Miller.
Abby read the line in Nora's office.
"He certified that I signed."
"Yes."
"When I didn't."
"Correct."
"What happens if I report it?"
"Potential civil and criminal consequences."
Abby looked away.
Nora allowed the silence.
Finally Abby said, "I don't want my father arrested."
"Then do not begin there."
"Can the bank decide on its own?"
"They already flagged the application. So far, they treated it as a failed documentation issue."
"Could that change?"
"Yes."
Abby rubbed her forehead.
"I hate this."
"I know."
"No. I hate that every option makes me feel cruel."
Nora closed the file.
"Abby, may I tell you something your grandmother once told me?"
Abby nodded.
"Evelyn said Frank's greatest talent was making the person who stopped rescuing him feel responsible for the fall."
Abby stared at her.
Nora continued.
"You are allowed to choose a response proportionate to what happened. You are not required to maximize punishment."
That helped.
A little.
"What would proportionate look like?"
"First, secure the trust."
"Okay."
"Second, separate your finances completely."
"Already started."
"Third, terminate unauthorized account access and redirect trust mail."
"Okay."
"Fourth, provide formal notice concerning the house."
Abby's chest tightened.
"And the forty-three thousand?"
"We demand an accounting."
"Not repayment?"
"An accounting first."
Abby nodded.
"And the forged signature?"
"We preserve the evidence. You can decide later whether to pursue it."
That sounded possible.
Not easy.
Possible.
Nora opened the trust document.
"Your grandmother included a sixty-day cure and departure structure even though state law might permit faster action."
"Why?"
"She knew you."
Abby looked up.
Nora smiled faintly.
"Evelyn predicted you would want to give them time."
That made Abby laugh and cry at once.
"She really knew me."
"Yes."
Abby wiped beneath one eye.
"What happens if they apologize?"
Nora's smile disappeared.
"Do not confuse apology with restoration."
Abby waited.
"If Frank says he's sorry because he wants to remain in the house, that does not mean trust has been restored."
"How would I know the difference?"
"Time."
That evening, Frank was waiting in the dining room.
No television.
No laptop.
Just Frank.
Abby stopped.
"Where is everyone?"
"Your mother took Martha shopping."
"For what?"
"Baby things."
With whose money, Abby wondered.
Frank pointed at the chair.
"Sit down."
Abby remained standing.
He frowned.
"Why do you always do that?"
"Do what?"
"Turn every conversation into a power struggle."
Abby almost smiled at the irony.
"What did you want?"
Frank leaned back.
"I called the bank today."
Her heart kicked.
"Which bank?"
"Family expense account."
Abby had removed her automatic deposit.
Frank had noticed.
"You canceled your transfer."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I don't want to use that account anymore."
"You don't get to decide that alone."
"It's my money."
"It's a household system."
"I can pay legitimate bills directly."
Frank's face hardened.
"This is because of the childcare thing."
"No."
"Then what?"
Abby looked at him.
She wondered how much to reveal.
Nothing.
Not yet.
"I want more control over my finances."
Frank laughed.
"You?"
"Yes."
"You can't keep track of a grocery receipt."
Abby thought of the receipt Martha had thrown on her plate.
"I've kept track of more than you think."
The laugh stopped.
A flicker passed through Frank's eyes.
Abby saw it.
He recovered.
"You've been talking to someone."
"Why would that bother you?"
"It doesn't."
"Then don't worry about it."
Frank stood.
"You're living in my house and suddenly acting like some independent adult."
Abby held his gaze.
"I am an independent adult."
"You live with your parents."
"For the moment."
Frank stepped closer.
"You're making a mistake."
"Maybe."
"You think your teacher friends are going to rescue you?"
"No."
"You think some landlord cares if you can't make rent?"
"No."
"You think life is fair?"
"No."
Each calm answer seemed to make him angrier.
Finally Frank said, "Your grandmother put ideas in your head."
Abby's pulse jumped.
There.
He had mentioned Evelyn.
Abby kept her face neutral.
"What ideas?"
Frank froze.
Only for a fraction of a second.
Then he waved a hand.
"About me. About this family. She always spoiled you."
Abby watched him.
"Did Grandma ever talk to you about what she wanted for me?"
"All the time."
"What did she want?"
Frank looked toward the hallway.
"Security."
Abby nodded slowly.
"Interesting."
"What's interesting?"
"Nothing."
Frank's eyes narrowed.
"Abigail."
He used her full first name when he wanted control.
"Yes?"
"What have you been doing?"
Abby thought about lying.
Instead, she gave him the safest truth.
"Preparing."
"For what?"
She picked up her school bag.
"For Friday."
Frank frowned.
"What happens Friday?"
Abby looked at him.
"You wanted an answer by Friday."
"I already got your answer."
"No."
She walked toward the stairs.
"You got the beginning of it."
That night, Frank went into his home office and locked the door.
Abby knew because she heard the lock click.
She also heard the paper shredder begin running ten minutes later.
She stood in the upstairs hallway listening.
For the first time, she understood why Nora had insisted on obtaining independent copies.
Frank was destroying something.
Abby did not know what.
May you like
But he was scared.
And if Frank was scared before he knew how much Abby had discovered, there had to be more.
