PART 2 \u2014 THE HOUSE THEY THOUGHT THEY OWNED
\nJulian\u2019s smile disappeared the moment the first black SUV stopped behind my car.
\nThe second pulled in beside it.
\nThe third parked directly across the street.
\nNone of them had flashing lights.
\nNone of them needed them.
\nThe doors opened almost in perfect sequence.
\nA tall woman in a navy suit stepped out first, carrying a leather portfolio. Behind her came Harrison Vance, the attorney who had managed my affairs for six years. Two uniformed Travis County deputy sheriffs followed, along with a locksmith pushing a rolling toolbox.
\nThe music inside the house was still playing.
\nLaughter drifted through the open doorway.
\nJulian suddenly wasn\u2019t smiling anymore.<\/p>\n
He looked from Harrison to the deputies and finally to me.
\n\u201cWhat\u2026 what is this?\u201d
\nHarrison answered before I could.
\n\u201cGood evening. I\u2019m Harrison Vance, legal representative for the property owner.\u201d
\nJulian tightened his grip around his glass.
\n\u201cI know who owns the property.\u201d
\n\u201cDo you?\u201d Harrison asked.
\nKhloe appeared behind Julian.
\nThe moment she saw the deputies, all the color left her face.
\n\u201cNatalie, what did you do?\u201d
\nI stepped out of my car.
\n\u201cWhat I should have done two years ago.\u201d
\nSeveral guests had gathered behind them now.
\nPeople who had probably spent the evening drinking my wine, sitting on furniture I had purchased, inside the home I had bought so my mother could finally live without worrying about money.
\nJulian lowered his voice.
\n\u201cYou are embarrassing us.\u201d
\nI almost laughed.
\n\u201cEmbarrassing you?\u201d<\/p>\n
I walked toward him.
\n\u201cYou made my sixty-two-year-old mother scrub your outdoor kitchen on her knees.\u201d
\nHis guests went silent.
\nKhloe immediately shook her head.
\n\u201cThat\u2019s not what happened.\u201d
\n\u201cThen tell them what happened.\u201d
\n\u201cNatalie\u2014\u201d
\n\u201cTell everyone why Mom sleeps in the little room near the garage while you sleep in the master bedroom.\u201d
\nOne woman inside slowly lowered her wineglass.
\nJulian\u2019s jaw tightened.
\n\u201cThis is a private family matter.\u201d
\n\u201cNo,\u201d Harrison said calmly. \u201cIt became a legal matter several hours ago.\u201d
\nHe opened the leather portfolio.<\/p>\n
Julian stared at it.
\nHarrison pulled out several documents.
\n\u201cThe property at this address is owned solely by Natalie Mercer. There is no lease agreement between Ms. Mercer and either of you. There is no rental agreement. There is no record of rent being paid.\u201d
\nJulian gave a sharp laugh.
\n\u201cI already explained this. We\u2019ve established residency.\u201d
\n\u201cAnd that issue will be handled according to the law,\u201d Harrison replied. \u201cBut residency doesn\u2019t magically transfer ownership.\u201d
\nJulian looked at me.
\n\u201cYou brought sheriffs here to scare us?\u201d
\nOne deputy stepped forward.
\n\u201cWe\u2019re here to keep the peace, sir.\u201d
\n\u201cThen tell her she can\u2019t throw us onto the street!\u201d
\nThe deputy\u2019s expression didn\u2019t change.
\n\u201cI\u2019m not your attorney.\u201d
\nThat answer destroyed some of Julian\u2019s confidence.
\nKhloe pushed past him.
\n\u201cNatalie, please.\u201d
\nIt was the first time she had said please.
\n\u201cWe\u2019re sisters.\u201d
\nI stared at her.
\n\u201cYou remembered that quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her eyes filled with tears.
\n\u201cMom told us we could stay.\u201d
\n\u201cFor two weeks.\u201d
\n\u201cWe had nowhere else to go.\u201d
\n\u201cThat was two years ago.\u201d
\n\u201cWe were struggling.\u201d
\n\u201cSo you took her bedroom?\u201d
\nKhloe looked away.
\n\u201cSo you took control of the money I sent her?\u201d
\nHer face changed.
\nJulian immediately interrupted.
\n\u201cThat money paid household expenses.\u201d
\nI turned toward him.
\n\u201cThree thousand dollars every month.\u201d
\nHe said nothing.
\n\u201cThirty-six thousand dollars a year.\u201d
\nStill nothing.
\n\u201cSeventy-two thousand dollars over two years.\u201d
\nOne of their guests quietly picked up her purse.
\nThen another did the same.<\/p>\n
Khloe noticed.
\n\u201cPlease don\u2019t leave,\u201d she said.
\nNobody listened.
\nWithin seconds, people were moving toward the door.
\nJulian\u2019s humiliation was unfolding right in front of him, and I could see he hated that more than anything else.
\n\u201cYou planned this,\u201d he hissed.
\n\u201cNo. You planned it. I just came home early.\u201d
\nThat silenced him.
\nHarrison handed me a document.
\n\u201cThere\u2019s something else you need to know.\u201d
\nI looked down.
\nIt was a bank authorization form.
\nMy mother\u2019s name was printed at the top.
\nUnderneath it was another name.
\nKhloe Mercer.
\nMy sister.
\nI looked at Harrison.
\n\u201cWhat is this?\u201d
\n\u201cWhen you told me they had access to your mother\u2019s cards, I contacted the financial institution using the authorization Martha signed years ago allowing your office to assist with suspected exploitation.\u201d
\nKhloe\u2019s breathing changed.
\n\u201cThat\u2019s private.\u201d
\nHarrison ignored her.
\n\u201cThere have been transfers.\u201d
\nMy stomach tightened.
\n\u201cWhat transfers?\u201d<\/p>\n
He turned to the second page.
\nThe first amount was $4,800.
\nThen $7,200.
\nThen $12,500.
\nThen another $9,000.
\nMy eyes moved down the page.
\nPayment after payment.
\nTransfers I had never authorized.
\n\u201cWhere did this money come from?\u201d
\nHarrison looked directly at me.
\n\u201cThe account you funded for your mother.\u201d
\nI slowly raised my eyes toward Khloe.
\nShe stepped backward.
\n\u201cNatalie, I can explain.\u201d
\n\u201cHow much?\u201d
\n\u201cPlease\u2014\u201d
\n\u201cHOW MUCH?\u201d
\nThe entire street seemed to go silent.
\nHarrison answered.
\n\u201cBased on what we\u2019ve confirmed so far, just over fifty-one thousand dollars.\u201d
\nI felt something inside me go cold.
\nNot because of the money.
\nI could earn money again.
\nBut my mothe<\/p>\n
Khloe began crying.
\nJulian stepped in front of her.
\n\u201cWe used it.\u201d
\n\u201cFor what?\u201d
\n\u201cLiving expenses.\u201d
\nI looked toward the driveway.
\nA black Mercedes sat beside Khloe\u2019s SUV.
\nThen I looked at Julian\u2019s watch.
\nHis clothes.
\nThe party.
\nThe bottles visible through the windows.
\n\u201cLiving expenses.\u201d
\nJulian\u2019s face hardened.
\n\u201cYou don\u2019t understand what it\u2019s like when you\u2019re trying to maintain a certain standard.\u201d
\nI actually stared at him for several seconds.
\nThen I smiled.
\nIt wasn\u2019t a happy smile.
\n\u201cA standard?\u201d
\n\u201cNatalie,\u201d Khloe whispered.
\n\u201cOur mother was scrubbing grease off a counter while you maintained a standard?\u201d
\nKhloe covered her face.
\nHarrison touched my arm.
\n\u201cThere\u2019s more.\u201d
\nJulian snapped his head toward him.
\n\u201cWhat else?\u201d
\nHarrison didn\u2019t answer him.
\nHe handed me another sheet.
\nI read the first line.
\nThen the second.
\nThen I stopped.
\nMy mother\u2019s signature appeared at the bottom.
\nExcept something was wrong.
\nI knew her handwriting.
\nI had seen it on birthday cards my entire life.
\nThis signature looked almost right.
\nAlmost.
\n\u201cWhat is this?\u201d
\n\u201cA property-related document submitted approximately eight months ago.\u201d
\nMy heart started pounding.
\n\u201cWhat property?\u201d
\n\u201cThis one.\u201d
\nI looked up.
\nJulian went completely still.
\nKhloe whispered his name.
\n\u201cJulian\u2026\u201d
\nHarrison continued.
\n\u201cIt appears someone attempted to create documentation suggesting Martha possessed an ownership interest in the house.\u201d
\n\u201cBut she doesn\u2019t.\u201d
\n\u201cCorrect.\u201d
\n\u201cI bought it. My name is on the deed.\u201d
\n\u201cCorrect.\u201d
\n\u201cThen why would anyone do this?\u201d
\nHarrison looked toward Julian.
\n\u201cThat\u2019s what we\u2019re going to find out.\u201d
\nJulian finally lost control.
\n\u201cThis is ridiculous!\u201d
\nHe threw his glass onto the lawn.
\nIt shattered.
\nOne deputy immediately moved forward.
\n\u201cSir, keep your hands where we can see them.\u201d
\nJulian froze.
\nKhloe started sobbing.
\n\u201cStop! Everybody just stop!\u201d
\nI barely heard her.
\nI was staring at the document.
\n\u201cMom didn\u2019t sign this.\u201d
\nHarrison\u2019s voice was quiet.
\n\u201cWe don\u2019t believe she did.\u201d
\nMy sister sank onto the front step.
\nThat told me everything.
\nI walked toward her.
\n\u201cKhloe.\u201d
\nShe wouldn\u2019t look up.
\n\u201cDid you know?\u201d
\nSilence.
\n\u201cLook at me.\u201d
\nSlowly, she raised her face.
\nI had never seen my sister look that frightened.
\n\u201cI didn\u2019t know at first.\u201d
\nMy stomach dropped.
\n\u201cAt first?\u201d
\nJulian shouted from behind me.
\n\u201cShut your mouth, Khloe.\u201d
\nThe deputy immediately stepped between us.
\nKhloe looked at her husband.
\nThen at me.
\nAnd something broke inside her.
\n\u201cHe said you weren\u2019t coming back.\u201d
\nJulian\u2019s face turned white.
\n\u201cKhloe.\u201d
\n\u201cHe said after enough time passed, we could make the house ours.\u201d
\nI couldn\u2019t breathe for a second.
\n\u201cHe told me Mom would eventually sign whatever we needed.\u201d
\n\u201cThat\u2019s a lie!\u201d Julian shouted.
\nKhloe stood.
\n\u201cYou told me Natalie had enough money!\u201d
\n\u201cStop talking!\u201d
\n\u201cYou said she wouldn\u2019t care about one house!\u201d
\n\u201cKHLOE!\u201d
\nThe deputy put a hand out.
\n\u201cSir.\u201d
\nJulian stopped.
\nHarrison was already taking notes.
\nI stared at my sister.
\n\u201cDid Mom sign anything?\u201d
\nKhloe shook her head violently.
\n\u201cNo.\u201d
\n\u201cThen whose signature is this?\u201d
\nHer eyes moved toward Julian.
\nThat was enough.
\nJulian turned toward the house.<\/p>\n
The deputy blocked him.
\n\u201cWhere are you going, sir?\u201d
\n\u201cInside.\u201d
\n\u201cStay here.\u201d
\n\u201cIt\u2019s my house!\u201d
\nI stepped closer.
\n\u201cNo.\u201d
\nFor the first time that evening, I raised the deed in my hand.
\n\u201cIt never was.\u201d
\nJulian looked like he wanted to tear it out of my fingers.
\nInstead, Harrison moved between us.
\n\u201cFrom this moment forward, all communication regarding the property goes through me.\u201d
\nThe locksmith opened his toolbox.
\nJulian stared at him.
\n\u201cWhat is he doing?\u201d
\nHarrison answered.
\n\u201cSecuring areas of the property the owner is legally entitled to secure tonight while the remaining occupancy issues are handled through proper procedure.\u201d
\nJulian laughed bitterly.
\n\u201cSo this little show doesn\u2019t actually get us out tonight.\u201d
\nHarrison didn\u2019t react.
\n\u201cNobody said we\u2019re ignoring legal procedure.\u201d
\nJulian\u2019s smile slowly returned.
\nHe thought he had found his victory.
\n\u201cExactly.\u201d
\nThen he looked at me.
\n\u201cI\u2019ll be sleeping in that master bedroom tonight.\u201d
\nI said nothing.
\n\u201cAnd tomorrow.\u201d
\nStill nothing.
\n\u201cAnd probably for weeks while your lawyer plays paperwork games.\u201d
\nHe stepped closer.
\n\u201cYou should have stayed in Dubai.\u201d
\nI looked at him.
\nThen at Harrison.
\nHarrison gave me the smallest nod.
\nBecause Julian still didn\u2019t understand.
\nThis wasn\u2019t only about the house anymore.
\nI pulled out my phone.
\nAt 9:17 p.m., I called the bank.
\nAt 9:23, every card connected to the account I funded for my mother was frozen pending investigation.
\nAt 9:31, I removed Khloe and Julian from every emergency contact, household service authorization, and account they had somehow inserted themselves into.
\nAt 9:46, Harrison submitted preservation requests for the financial records connected to the missing money.
\nAnd at 10:08, my mother called me from the hotel.
\n\u201cNatalie?\u201d
\nHer voice sounded nervous.
\n\u201cI\u2019m here, Mom.\u201d
\n\u201cAre you safe?\u201d
\nI closed my eyes.
\nShe was worried about me.
\nAfter everything they had done to her, she was worried about me.
\n\u201cI\u2019m safe.\u201d
\nThere was silence.
\nThen she whispered something I wasn\u2019t expecting.
\n\u201cThere\u2019s something I didn\u2019t tell you.\u201d
\nI opened my eyes.
\n\u201cWhat?\u201d
\n\u201cAbout Julian.\u201d
\nMy gaze moved across the street.
\nHe was standing inside the front window, watching me.
\n\u201cWhat about him?\u201d
\nMy mother began crying.
\n\u201cThree months ago, he made me go to a lawyer\u2019s office.\u201d
\nEvery muscle in my body tightened.
\n\u201cWhy?\u201d
\n\u201cHe said you had asked him to help update the house papers.\u201d
\nMy heart stopped.
\n\u201cI never asked him that.\u201d
\n\u201cI know that now.\u201d
\n\u201cMom, what did you sign?\u201d
\nShe didn\u2019t answer.
\n\u201cMom?\u201d
\n\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d
\nAcross the street, Julian suddenly stepped away from the window.
\nThen I heard my mother whisper:
\n\u201cBut Natalie\u2026 before we left that office, I heard the lawyer congratulate Julian.\u201d
\n\u201cCongratulate him for what?\u201d
\nShe took a shaking breath.
\n\u201cFor becoming the beneficiary of something worth more than the house.\u201d
\nI stared at the dark window where Julian had been standing.
\nThe house was worth six hundred thousand dollars.
\nSo whatever he had tried to take from my mother\u2026
\nwas bigger.
\nMuch bigger.
\nAnd suddenly I understood why Julian had looked so confident when I arrived.
\nHe hadn\u2019t simply been living in my mother\u2019s house.
\nHe had been waiting for something.
\nAnd I was beginning to suspect that my surprise return from Dubai hadn\u2019t interrupted a family arrangement.
\nIt had interrupted a plan.
\nA plan that was almost finished.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomething worth more than the house.\u201d
\nMy mother\u2019s words stayed in my head.
\nAcross the street, the curtains moved.
\nJulian was watching me again.
\nOnly this time, I wasn\u2019t looking at an arrogant man refusing to leave my property.
\nI was looking at a man who might have spent months preparing for something I didn\u2019t yet understand.
\n\u201cMom,\u201d I said carefully, \u201cdo you remember the name of the lawyer?\u201d
\nShe was quiet.
\n\u201cNo. But I remember the building.\u201d
\n\u201cWhere?\u201d
\n\u201cDowntown. Near the courthouse. It had a big brass number beside the elevator.\u201d
\n\u201cAnything else?\u201d
\n\u201cI think the lawyer\u2019s first name was Stephen.\u201d
\nThat wasn\u2019t much.
\nBut it was enough to start.
\n\u201cDid they give you copies of anything you signed?\u201d
\n\u201cNo.\u201d
\n\u201cDid Julian?\u201d
\n\u201cNo.\u201d
\n\u201cDid Khloe go with you?\u201d
\nAnother pause.
\n\u201cNo.\u201d
\nThat surprised me.
\n\u201cIt was just you and Julian?\u201d
\n\u201cYes.\u201d
\nI looked toward the house.
\n\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you tell Khloe?\u201d
\n\u201cJulian told me she already knew.\u201d
\nOf course he did.
\nI closed my eyes.
\n\u201cWhat exactly did he tell you before you signed?\u201d
\n\u201cHe said you were reorganizing things because you were overseas. He said if anything happened to you, there needed to be someone in America who could manage the property.\u201d
\nMy stomach turned.
\n\u201cHe used my name?\u201d
\n\u201cYes.\u201d
\n\u201cHe said I requested it?\u201d
\n\u201cYes.\u201d
\n\u201cMom, did he show you anything from me? An email? A letter?\u201d
\n\u201cNo.\u201d
\nShe started crying again.
\n\u201cI should have called you.\u201d
\n\u201cMom.\u201d
\n\u201cI should have known.\u201d
\n\u201cListen to me. We\u2019re going to figure out exactly what happened.\u201d
\nI didn\u2019t want her carrying another ounce of fear tonight.
\n\u201cGet some sleep. Lock the hotel door. Don\u2019t answer it for anyone except the nurse or me.\u201d
\n\u201cOkay.\u201d
\n\u201cAnd Mom?\u201d
\n\u201cYes?\u201d
\n\u201cDon\u2019t tell Khloe or Julian anything else.\u201d
\nHer voice became very small.
\n\u201cIs Khloe in trouble?\u201d
\nI looked at my sister through the front window.
\n\u201cI don\u2019t know yet.\u201d
\nI ended the call and immediately walked toward Harrison.
\nHe was speaking with the woman in the navy suit.
\n\u201cI need you.\u201d
\nSomething in my face made him stop mid-sentence.
\n\u201cWhat happened?\u201d
\nI told him.
\nEvery word.
\nThe lawyer.
\nThe documents.
\nJulian claiming I had requested them.
\nThe congratulations.
\nAnd the mysterious beneficiary designation.
\nHarrison didn\u2019t interrupt once.
\nWhen I finished, his expression had completely changed.
\n\u201cDid Martha remember the attorney\u2019s name?\u201d
\n\u201cStephen. Maybe.\u201d
\n\u201cLocation?\u201d
\n\u201cDowntown near the courthouse.\u201d
\nHe turned to the woman beside him.
\n\u201cRachel.\u201d
\nShe was already opening her laptop.
\n\u201cI\u2019ll start checking.\u201d
\n\u201cChecking what?\u201d I asked.
\n\u201cRecorded instruments, probate-related filings, trust documents, corporate records, anything attached to Martha\u2019s name.\u201d
\nJulian suddenly opened the front door.
\n\u201cYou people planning to camp out there all night?\u201d
\nI turned.
\nHarrison quietly said, \u201cDon\u2019t engage.\u201d
\nBut Julian wanted me to.
\nHe stepped onto the porch.
\n\u201cYou made your point, Natalie. Go back to your hotel.\u201d
\n\u201cMy hotel?\u201d
\n\u201cWherever you\u2019re staying.\u201d
\nHe smiled.
\n\u201cWe\u2019ll deal with this tomorrow.\u201d
\nSomething about his confidence bothered me.
\nHe had just learned his financial access was being frozen.
\nHe knew Harrison was investigating the questionable signature.
\nHe knew deputies had witnessed Khloe admitting he had talked about taking the house.
\nYet he was still smiling.
\nWhy?
\nThen I noticed something.
\nHe was holding his phone.
\nAnd the screen kept lighting up.
\nSomeone was calling him repeatedly.
\nJulian rejected the call.
\nFive seconds later, it rang again.
\nHe rejected it.
\nAgain.
\nThe smile vanished for half a second.
\nHarrison noticed too.
\n\u201cExpecting someone?\u201d I asked.
\n\u201cNone of your business.\u201d
\nHis phone rang again.
\nThis time he walked inside.
\nRachel looked up from her laptop.
\n\u201cI found something.\u201d
\nHarrison and I moved toward her.
\n\u201cWhat?\u201d
\n\u201cYour mother\u2019s full legal name is Martha Elaine Mercer?\u201d
\n\u201cYes.\u201d
\n\u201cAnd her date of birth?\u201d
\nI confirmed it.
\nRachel typed.
\nThen her expression tightened.
\n\u201cInteresting.\u201d
\nI hated that word already.
\n\u201cWhat?\u201d
\n\u201cThere\u2019s a limited liability company registered eighteen months ago.\u201d
\n\u201cSo?\u201d
\n\u201cYour mother is listed as a member.\u201d
\nI stared at her.
\n\u201cMy mother has never owned a company.\u201d
\n\u201cApparently, on paper, she does.\u201d
\nHarrison leaned closer.
\n\u201cName?\u201d
\nRachel turned the laptop toward us.
\nMJM Residential Holdings LLC.
\nI read it twice.
\n\u201cWhat does MJM stand for?\u201d
\nRachel didn\u2019t answer.
\nShe didn\u2019t need to.
\nMartha.
\nJulian.
\nMercer.
\nMy mother\u2019s first initial.
\nJulian\u2019s first initial.
\nAnd our family name.
\n\u201cWho registered it?\u201d
\nRachel clicked.
\nThen stopped.
\n\u201cJulian Cross.\u201d
\nI felt my pulse in my throat.
\n\u201cWhat does this company own?\u201d
\n\u201cI\u2019m checking.\u201d
\nShe searched another database.
\nTen seconds.
\nTwenty.
\nThen she inhaled sharply.
\n\u201cHarrison.\u201d
\nHe leaned closer.
\n\u201cWhat?\u201d
\n\u201cThere are property-related filings connected to it.\u201d
\nMy stomach dropped.
\n\u201cMy house?\u201d
\n\u201cNot exactly.\u201d
\n\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d
\nRachel looked at me.
\n\u201cIt means we need to see the underlying documents before drawing conclusions.\u201d
\n\u201cRachel.\u201d
\nShe hesitated.
\n\u201cThere appears to have been an attempt to use Martha\u2019s supposed interest in this property as collateral.\u201d
\nI stared at her.
\n\u201cCollateral for what?\u201d
\n\u201cA business loan.\u201d
\n\u201cHow much?\u201d
\nShe scrolled.
\nThen she said the number.
\n\u201c$410,000.\u201d
\nFor several seconds, nobody spoke.
\nI looked at my house.
\nMy mother\u2019s house.
\nThe place I had purchased outright.
\nNo mortgage.
\nNo debt.
\nNo bank had any claim to it.
\nOr at least no legitimate claim.
\n\u201cDid they get the money?\u201d
\n\u201cWe don\u2019t know yet.\u201d
\n\u201cCan someone borrow against a property they don\u2019t own?\u201d
\n\u201cNot legally,\u201d Harrison said.
\n\u201cThen how?\u201d
\n\u201cFraudulent documents. Misrepresentations. Forged signatures. Sometimes a lender fails to catch something. Sometimes someone inside the process helps.\u201d
\nI immediately remembered what Mom had said.
\nThe lawyer congratulated Julian.
\n\u201cStephen.\u201d
\nHarrison looked at me.
\n\u201cWhat?\u201d
\n\u201cThe lawyer.\u201d
\nRachel was typing again.
\n\u201cSearching attorneys named Stephen associated with the filing.\u201d
\nJulian\u2019s phone rang again inside.
\nThen the front door opened.
\nBut it wasn\u2019t Julian.
\nIt was Khloe.
\nShe stepped outside alone.
\nHer makeup had streaked down her face.
\n\u201cNatalie.\u201d
\nI didn\u2019t move.
\nShe walked toward me.
\n\u201cI need to tell you something.\u201d
\nHarrison quietly closed his folder.
\n\u201cAnything you say may become relevant to a legal proceeding.\u201d
\nKhloe looked terrified.
\n\u201cI don\u2019t care anymore.\u201d
\nShe looked back toward the house.
\nThen whispered:
\n\u201cJulian lied to me too.\u201d
\n\u201cAbout what?\u201d
\n\u201cThe money.\u201d
\n\u201cWhich money?\u201d
\nHer eyes moved toward Rachel\u2019s laptop.
\nSo she knew.
\n\u201cThe loan,\u201d she whispered.
\nMy stomach tightened.
\n\u201cYou knew about the $410,000?\u201d
\n\u201cI knew he borrowed money.\u201d
\n\u201cAgainst my house?\u201d
\n\u201cNo! He told me Mom was investing with him.\u201d
\n\u201cInvesting in what?\u201d
\nKhloe rubbed her arms.
\n\u201cA development.\u201d
\n\u201cWhere?\u201d
\n\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d
\n\u201cYou expect me to believe that?\u201d
\n\u201cI\u2019m telling you the truth.\u201d
\n\u201cAfter two years of letting Mom live like a servant?\u201d
\nShe flinched.
\n\u201cI know.\u201d
\n\u201cNo. I don\u2019t think you do.\u201d
\n\u201cNatalie, please.\u201d
\n\u201cDid you take her money?\u201d
\nKhloe started crying.
\n\u201cI used the cards.\u201d
\n\u201cThat\u2019s not what I asked.\u201d
\nShe couldn\u2019t answer.
\n\u201cDid you transfer money from her account?\u201d
\n\u201cSometimes.\u201d
\n\u201cFifty-one thousand dollars worth of sometimes?\u201d
\nHer face collapsed.
\n\u201cI didn\u2019t realize it had gotten that high.\u201d
\nI almost laughed.
\n\u201cYou don\u2019t accidentally spend fifty-one thousand dollars.\u201d
\n\u201cJulian kept saying we\u2019d put everything back.\u201d
\n\u201cWith what?\u201d
\n\u201cThe development money.\u201d
\nThere it was again.
\n\u201cWhat development?\u201d
\n\u201cI don\u2019t know!\u201d
\n\u201cThen what were you expecting to make money from?\u201d
\nKhloe looked toward the house.
\n\u201cI wasn\u2019t allowed to ask questions.\u201d
\nThat sentence changed something.
\n\u201cAllowed?\u201d
\nShe lowered her voice.
\n\u201cJulian handles everything.\u201d
\n\u201cKhloe, what has he gotten himself into?\u201d
\n\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d
\n\u201cThen why are you scared?\u201d
\nShe looked at me.
\nReally looked at me.
\n\u201cBecause two months ago, I found a second phone.\u201d
\nHarrison stepped closer.
\n\u201cWhat was on it?\u201d
\n\u201cI couldn\u2019t unlock it.\u201d
\n\u201cThen how do you know it matters?\u201d
\n\u201cBecause Julian caught me holding it.\u201d
\nHer voice trembled.
\n\u201cI\u2019ve never seen him that angry.\u201d
\n\u201cWhat did he do?\u201d
\n\u201cHe grabbed it from me and told me if I ever touched it again, I\u2019d regret it.\u201d
\nMy anger toward Khloe didn\u2019t disappear.
\nBut for the first time, I saw something else underneath her arrogance.
\nFear.
\nReal fear.
\n\u201cWhere is the phone?\u201d
\n\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d
\n\u201cThink.\u201d
\n\u201cHe keeps a locked case in the office.\u201d
\n\u201cThe office in my house?\u201d
\nShe nodded.
\n\u201cI\u2019ve never had the combination.\u201d
\nI looked at Harrison.
\nHe immediately understood.
\n\u201cWe do not touch anything without determining what you\u2019re legally entitled to access and whether evidence preservation is involved.\u201d
\nThen Rachel spoke.
\n\u201cI found Stephen.\u201d
\nWe turned.
\nShe rotated the laptop.
\nAn attorney\u2019s profile appeared.
\nStephen Caldwell.
\nCaldwell Property & Estate Law.
\nDowntown Austin.
\nI showed Khloe.
\n\u201cDo you know him?\u201d
\nHer face changed instantly.
\n\u201cOh my God.\u201d
\n\u201cYou know him?\u201d
\n\u201cHe\u2019s been here.\u201d
\n\u201cWhen?\u201d
\n\u201cSeveral times.\u201d
\n\u201cFor parties?\u201d
\n\u201cNo.\u201d
\nShe shook her head.
\n\u201cHe always came late.\u201d
\n\u201cHow late?\u201d
\n\u201cTen. Eleven. Sometimes after midnight.\u201d
\nHarrison\u2019s expression hardened.
\n\u201cWhy?\u201d
\n\u201cJulian said they were working on investments.\u201d
\nThen headlights appeared at the end of the street.
\nA dark sedan turned toward the house.
\nKhloe looked at it.
\nAnd froze.
\n\u201cWhat?\u201d I asked.
\nShe grabbed my arm.
\n\u201cNatalie.\u201d
\n\u201cWhat?\u201d
\n\u201cThat\u2019s his car.\u201d
\n\u201cWhose?\u201d
\nShe stared at the sedan as it slowed beside the curb.
\n\u201cStephen Caldwell\u2019s.\u201d
\nThe car stopped.
\nThe driver\u2019s door opened.
\nA gray-haired man in an expensive suit stepped out carrying a briefcase.
\nHe took three steps toward the house.
\nThen he saw Harrison.
\nThen Rachel.
\nThen the deputies.
\nThen me.
\nHe stopped.
\nFor one brief second, pure panic crossed his face.
\nHe turned around.
\n\u201cMr. Caldwell?\u201d Harrison called.
\nStephen kept walking.
\nFaster.
\n\u201cStephen!\u201d Julian shouted from the doorway.
\nThat was the worst possible thing he could have done.
\nStephen stopped.
\nEveryone heard it.
\nEveryone saw Julian standing there.
\nJulian realized his mistake immediately.
\nStephen looked at him with absolute fury.
\nThen one deputy said, \u201cSir, we\u2019d like you to remain here for a moment.\u201d
\nStephen turned.
\n\u201cI\u2019m under no obligation to speak with you.\u201d
\n\u201cThat\u2019s correct.\u201d
\n\u201cThen I\u2019m leaving.\u201d
\nHe reached his car.
\nBut before he could open the door, Harrison spoke.
\n\u201cMr. Caldwell, tomorrow morning we\u2019ll be seeking records concerning documents allegedly executed by Martha Mercer.\u201d
\nStephen\u2019s hand stopped on the handle.
\n\u201cWho?\u201d
\nThat single word made Khloe gasp.
\nBecause Stephen had been inside this house multiple times.
\nHe knew exactly who Martha was.
\nHarrison smiled slightly.
\n\u201cInteresting.\u201d
\nStephen opened the car door.
\nThen I stepped forward.
\n\u201cMy mother remembers you.\u201d
\nHe looked at me.
\n\u201cAnd she remembers signing documents in your office.\u201d
\nNothing.
\n\u201cShe also remembers you congratulating Julian.\u201d
\nStephen\u2019s face tightened.
\nI took another step.
\n\u201cWhat did you congratulate him for?\u201d
\nHe got into the car.
\nThe engine started.
\nSeconds later, he disappeared down the street.
\nNobody spoke.
\nThen Harrison\u2019s phone rang.
\nHe answered.
\n\u201cHarrison Vance.\u201d
\nHis expression changed almost immediately.
\n\u201cRepeat that.\u201d
\nI watched him.
\n\u201cWhat is it?\u201d
\nHe held up one finger.
\n\u201cSend it to me now.\u201d
\nHe ended the call.
\n\u201cWhat happened?\u201d
\nHarrison looked at me.
\n\u201cThat was an investigator I use for asset tracing.\u201d
\nMy stomach tightened.
\n\u201cAnd?\u201d
\n\u201cHe found where part of the loan proceeds went.\u201d
\n\u201cWhere?\u201d
\n\u201cNot to a development.\u201d
\nKhloe covered her mouth.
\n\u201cThen where?\u201d
\nHarrison\u2019s phone buzzed.
\nHe opened the document.
\nThen looked directly at my sister.
\n\u201cApproximately $180,000 was transferred into an account associated with Julian.\u201d
\nKhloe whispered, \u201cI knew it.\u201d
\nBut Harrison wasn\u2019t finished.
\n\u201cForty thousand went toward vehicle purchases.\u201d
\nI looked at the Mercedes.
\n\u201cAnother sixty-two thousand appears to have paid personal debt.\u201d
\n\u201cAnd the rest?\u201d
\nHarrison stared at the screen.
\n\u201cThat\u2019s the problem.\u201d
\n\u201cWhat problem?\u201d
\n\u201cThe remaining funds moved through several accounts.\u201d
\n\u201cWhere did they end up?\u201d
\n\u201cWe\u2019re still tracing them.\u201d
\nJulian was no longer standing at the door.
\nI looked toward the house.
\nThe living room was empty.
\n\u201cWhere\u2019s Julian?\u201d
\nKhloe turned.
\n\u201cJulian?\u201d
\nNothing.
\nShe rushed toward the doorway.
\n\u201cJulian!\u201d
\nOne deputy followed.
\nThen we heard an engine.
\nNot from the driveway.
\nFrom behind the house.
\nKhloe stopped dead.
\n\u201cThe garage.\u201d
\nA vehicle accelerated somewhere beyond the rear fence.
\nJulian had left.
\nHarrison immediately pulled out his phone.
\nBut I wasn\u2019t looking at the street anymore.
\nI was looking through the open front door.
\nSomething was lying on the living-room floor.
\nA white envelope.
\nKhloe walked toward it.
\n\u201cDon\u2019t touch it,\u201d Harrison warned.
\nWe approached carefully.
\nMy name was written across the front.
\nNATALIE.
\nMy blood ran cold.
\n\u201cWas that there before?\u201d I asked.
\nKhloe shook her head.
\n\u201cNo.\u201d
\nHarrison photographed it before carefully opening it.
\nInside was one sheet of paper.
\nOnly one sentence had been typed across the middle.
\nI read it.
\nThen read it again.
\nIF NATALIE COMES HOME BEFORE OCTOBER 14, EVERYTHING CHANGES.
\nI looked at Harrison.
\n\u201cWhat happens October fourteenth?\u201d
\nHe didn\u2019t answer.
\nBecause Khloe had suddenly gone pale.
\nI turned toward her.
\n\u201cYou know.\u201d
\nShe backed away.
\n\u201cKhloe.\u201d
\n\u201cI wasn\u2019t supposed to tell you.\u201d
\n\u201cTell me what?\u201d
\nHer lips trembled.
\n\u201cJulian kept talking about October fourteenth.\u201d
\n\u201cWhy?\u201d
\n\u201cHe called it the day we would finally be free.\u201d
\n\u201cFree from what?\u201d
\nShe stared at me.
\nThen whispered:
\n\u201cFrom Mom.\u201d
\nAnd suddenly the missing money wasn\u2019t the thing frightening me anymore.
\nNeither was the forged paperwork.
\nNeither was the house.
\nBecause October 14 was only five weeks away.
\nAnd whatever Julian had planned for that date involved my mother.<\/p>\n