Chapter 4 - The Signature That Wasn’t Hers
Linda met her attorney, Evelyn Price, in a quiet office overlooking downtown.
Evelyn placed three documents in front of her.
The first was a loan guarantee. The second authorized Brandon to request funds. The third approved payments from a Mercer family account.
Each carried Linda’s name.
The signatures looked convincing from a distance, but they were too smooth. Linda’s real signature curved upward at the final letter. These ended in a straight line.
“I did not sign these,” Linda said.
Evelyn nodded. “We will document that formally.”
Linda stared at the pages.
“What happens to Brandon?”
“That depends on what he does next, what the bank discovers, and whether you choose to pursue civil action. But first, we stop further damage.”
They froze discretionary transfers, notified the bank, and commissioned a forensic review of Brandon’s reimbursement requests.
Evelyn also examined the house-transfer agreement.
The holding company had been created only six weeks earlier. Jessica was listed through another entity as a controlling beneficiary if Brandon defaulted on certain obligations.
Linda read that section three times.
“So if his company collapses, Jessica could gain control?”
“Potentially, yes.”
The cruelty of the plan settled slowly.
Brandon might have believed he was saving his business. Jessica appeared to be arranging a future in which she could survive his failure with Linda’s house in her hands.
Linda wanted to call him immediately. She wanted to demand an explanation and hear him deny everything.
Evelyn stopped her.
May you like
“People reveal more when they believe you know less.”
So Linda went home, returned the legal papers to the envelope, and waited.
