Chapter 4 - THE ATTORNEYS WHO DID NOT KNOW
The two attorneys were named Paul Kramer and Eric Moss.
They looked uncomfortable the moment they entered.
That told me something.
Nathan had probably described a different meeting.
Paul opened his briefcase.
“Mrs. Whitmore, congratulations on your daughter.”
“Thank you.”
“We understand you want to execute some temporary planning documents during recovery.”
“I do?”
He looked at Nathan.
Nathan smiled.
“We discussed this.”
I nodded slowly.
“Then explain them to me.”
Nathan’s smile tightened.
Paul began.
Power of attorney.
Trust amendments.
Temporary authorization related to household expenses.
I asked.
“Does anything affect my ownership of the Beacon Hill property?”
Paul stopped.
Nathan looked at me sharply.
“Why would you ask that?”
I ignored him.
Paul answered carefully.
“There has already been a refinancing transaction.”
“I know.”
Diane’s coffee cup hit the saucer.
Nathan’s face became still.
Paul frowned.
“You were aware?”
“No.”
The room changed.
Eric closed his folder.
I continued.
“My attorney found it last night.”
Nathan stood.
“You called an attorney?”
“For twenty-six days.”
There.
I gave him one truth.
Not all of it.
Enough.
His face emptied.
Lauren whispered.
“Nathan.”
I looked at Paul.
“My signature appears on the refinance?”
“Yes.”
“I did not sign it.”
Paul looked at Diane.
She was the notary.
Her face hardened.
“This is a family disagreement.”
Paul’s expression changed completely.
“No.”
He turned toward Eric.
“Pack up.”
Nathan stepped forward.
“We are paying you to complete a transaction.”
Paul closed his briefcase.
“You are paying us for lawful estate planning.”
“If a client is disputing notarized signatures on an existing loan, I am not touching another document.”
Diane said.
“She’s medicated.”
I laughed.
“I’m taking ibuprofen.”
Paul looked at me.
“Mrs. Whitmore, do you have independent counsel?”
“Yes.”
“Then all communication should go through counsel.”
Nathan’s jaw tightened.
“You’re overreacting.”
Paul looked directly at him.
“I disagree.”
They left six minutes after arriving.
Nathan waited until the door closed.
Then turned on me.
“What have you done?”
My pulse jumped.
That old fear.
His tone.
His face.
The familiar beginning of a private storm.
But Lauren was there.
Diane.
Caleb.
Emma.
And the camera over the front door.
I stayed calm.
“I hired an attorney.”
“You’ve been spying on me?”
I almost smiled.
“That’s an interesting accusation.”
He realized.
Too late.
Then Lauren said.
“Nathan, maybe I should go.”
“No.”
His voice was sharp.
Eli began crying.
Immediately, Nathan softened.
“Hey.”
He crouched.
“Daddy’s right here.”
The word hung in the room.
Nobody corrected it this time.
I looked at Lauren.
Then at Nathan.
“Since we’re telling the truth now.”
I nodded toward Eli.
“Is he your son?”
Nathan stared at me.
Then smiled.
Not apologetic.
Defiant.
“Yes.”
Caleb gasped.
Lauren closed her eyes.
Diane looked at the floor.
I had expected denial.
Instead, Nathan stepped closer.
“You wanted honesty.”
“There it is.”
Then he added.
“And now we need to discuss what happens next.”
The way he said it told me the affair was no longer his weakness.
May you like
He thought Eli gave him leverage.
I was about to learn why.
