Chapter 13 - Friday at Five

Mara sent a formal demand to the occupants to stop disposing of my belongings, stop representing that they owned the property, and preserve documents relevant to the disputes.

We discussed proper notice requirements and the lawful process for ending their occupancy if they refused to leave.

I wanted them out immediately.

Mara reminded me that anger did not replace procedure.

So I followed procedure.

I offered a written move-out agreement with enough time for them to arrange temporary housing and a clear requirement that they stop interfering with my possessions and documents.

It was more grace than they had shown me.

Gene responded by demanding that I withdraw the bank complaint first.

Linda insisted I apologize to Paige.

Brett wanted the buyer's deposit repaid from my savings.

Paige refused to answer.

On Friday afternoon, an envelope arrived from a title insurer requesting additional information about the disputed deed of trust.

The lender was temporarily pausing enforcement activity while reviewing the fraud allegations, but the lien remained an unresolved cloud on the title.

At 4:42, Mara forwarded evidence that the prospective buyer had terminated the proposed purchase.

At 4:51, my father called.

"You cost us a fortune," he said.

"You promised someone a house you didn't own."

"The deposit is due back by five."

I watched the clock.

"Then you should speak to your attorney."

He breathed hard.

"You could make one phone call and stop this."

"I have made phone calls.

To the bank, to counsel, and to the people investigating the signatures."

"If Brett loses his business, Paige will never forgive you."

"That's her choice."

He was quiet long enough for me to hear Linda speaking in the background.

Then he said, "If we go down, you're coming with us."

The call ended.

At precisely five, someone pounded on my basement door.

Brett stood on the landing, pale and shaking with anger.

"What did you do?" he demanded.

I remained at the bottom of the stairs.

"I refused to sign."

"They filed suit against the company."

"Then respond through counsel."

He gripped the railing.

"Gene told me to use the house.

He said you would never stand up to him."

"He was wrong."

Brett stared at me as though he were seeing a stranger.

Then he said a sentence that would change the investigation.

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