Chapter 12 - The Debt in My Mother's Name
Victor agreed to meet at a public coffee shop.
Caroline came with me.
So did Derek.
I did not trust him.
But I needed answers.
Victor placed a folder on the table.
“Your sister-in-law borrowed three hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”
“For what?” I asked.
“Her business.”
“What business?”
Derek laughed without humor.
“She doesn't have one.”
Victor looked at him.
“Then you should ask your wife where the money went.”
He showed us the promissory note.
Melissa's signature appeared at the bottom.
So did Derek's.
Then I saw Mom's.
My stomach turned.
“That's forged.”
Victor nodded.
“I suspect it is.”
“You accepted it anyway?”
“I was told she owned the property and your mother was guaranteeing the debt.”
Caroline studied him.
“Did you verify title?”
“I did eventually.”
“Eventually?”
His expression tightened.
“That is why I started demanding repayment.”
I looked at Derek.
“Where did the money go?”
He stared at the table.
“I thought it covered my business debt.”
“How much did you receive?”
“One hundred and twenty thousand.”
“So where is the rest?”
He shook his head.
“I don't know.”
Caroline looked through the statements.
“Luxury purchases?”
“Some.”
“Gambling?”
Derek went still.
That was the answer.
Victor nodded.
“Atlantic City.”
I stared at Derek.
“You knew?”
“Not until recently.”
Melissa had borrowed against a house she didn't own, used a forged guarantee from an elderly woman she was mistreating, and apparently gambled away part of the money.
It was worse than I imagined.
My phone vibrated.
Mr. Harrison.
I answered.
“Rachel, police are at the house.”
My heart jumped.
“What happened?”
“Your mother called them.”
I stood immediately.
“Why?”
His voice became urgent.
“Patricia tried to take her jewelry.”
We raced back.
Two patrol cars were parked outside.
Mom stood in the driveway holding Dad's old wooden jewelry box.
Patricia was yelling at an officer.
“These belong to my daughter.”
Mom saw me and rushed over.
“Rachel.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
“Patricia said Melissa told her to take everything valuable.”
Patricia pointed toward Mom.
“She attacked me.”
The officer looked skeptical.
Mom shook her head.
“I grabbed my own jewelry box.”
I noticed a red mark on Mom's wrist.
“What happened there?”
Patricia went quiet.
The officer noticed too.
Mom whispered, “She tried to pull it away.”
I looked at Patricia.
“You're done.”
“This isn't your decision.”
“Yes.”
“It is.”
I turned toward the officer.
“I am the property owner through the trust.”
Caroline provided documentation.
Patricia's expression changed completely.
Twenty minutes later, the police supervised while she collected her belongings.
As she walked toward her car, she leaned close to me.
“You think Melissa is the problem?”
I stared at her.
“She learned everything from someone.”
Patricia smiled.
Then she looked toward Derek.
“Ask your brother who first suggested putting your mother's signature on the refinancing paperwork.”
May you like
Derek's face went white.
And for the second time that day, I realized he had not told me everything.
