Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Man Who Wanted Our House
I read: The Man Who Wanted Our House
I read the message until the words stopped looking like words.
**Victor the message until the words stopped looking like words.
*Victor didn't lend your mother the money. He was paying her to make sure you took the blame.*
Across the conference table, Martin didn't lend your mother the money. He was paying her to make sure you took the blame.**
Across the conference table, Martin Cole was already asking his assistant to preserve the anonymous message and its Cole was already asking his assistant to preserve the anonymous message and its attached photograph. David stood beside me, one hand resting on the back of my chair, while attached photograph. David stood beside me, one hand resting on the back of my chair, while James Porter examined the image on his own computer.
Nobody spoke for several seconds.
Then David asked the question I James Porter examined the image on his own computer.
Nobody spoke for several seconds.
Then David asked the question I was too frightened to say aloud.
“Are you telling us someone paid Patricia to put our house at risk was too frightened to say aloud.
“Are you telling us someone paid Patricia to put our house at risk?””
James looked up.
“We're not telling you that yet. We're telling?””
James looked up.
“We're not telling you that yet. We're telling you that someone has made that allegation, and the documents give us enough reason you that someone has made that allegation, and the documents give us enough reason to investigate it.””
“Victor Hale,” I whispered.
Martin nodded.
“The lender named in the records to investigate it.””
“Victor Hale,” I whispered.
Martin nodded.
“The lender named in the records.””
“He was at my grandmother's funeral. My mother introduced him as a family friend.””
“Did he discuss.””
“He was at my grandmother's funeral. My mother introduced him as a family friend.””
“Did he discuss the business with you?””
“He asked whether I'd ever considered investing in it. I told him I didn't the business with you?””
“He asked whether I'd ever considered investing in it. I told him I didn't know anything about running a business.””
“What did he say?””
I remembered the way he'd smiled, the sympathetic tilt know anything about running a business.””
“What did he say?””
I remembered the way he'd smiled, the sympathetic tilt of his head, the hand he'd placed on my shoulder.
*Your mother has a wonderful opportunity, Linda. of his head, the hand he'd placed on my shoulder.
Your mother has a wonderful opportunity, Linda. She just needs someone who believes in her.
At the time, I'd thought it was an ordinary conversation She just needs someone who believes in her.*
At the time, I'd thought it was an ordinary conversation.
Now I wondered whether he'd been measuring how easily I could be persuaded to sign something I.
Now I wondered whether he'd been measuring how easily I could be persuaded to sign something I didn't understand.
David pulled out a chair and sat beside me.
“Martin, we need to know didn't understand.
David pulled out a chair and sat beside me.
“Martin, we need to know whether this person is credible.””
“Agreed,” Martin replied.
“But we'll proceed carefully. An whether this person is credible.””
“Agreed,” Martin replied.
“But we'll proceed carefully. An anonymous message isn't proof, and we don't want to alert anyone before we've secured the records anonymous message isn't proof, and we don't want to alert anyone before we've secured the records.””
James turned his screen toward us.
“I found something interesting in the company's public filings. Victor Hale.””
James turned his screen toward us.
“I found something interesting in the company's public filings. Victor Hale's company isn't listed as the original lender. Another business provided the funds.””
He's company isn't listed as the original lender. Another business provided the funds.””
He opened a document.
The original lender was a company called Hale Capital Services. Victor's name opened a document.
The original lender was a company called Hale Capital Services. Victor's name appeared as its managing director, but the actual loan had been arranged through a separate investment firm.
“Why appeared as its managing director, but the actual loan had been arranged through a separate investment firm.
“Why would he use another company?”” I asked.
“That isn't unusual by itself,” James said.
“Private would he use another company?”” I asked.
“That isn't unusual by itself,” James said.
“Private lenders sometimes use separate entities for different transactions. What matters is the relationship between those entities, the destination lenders sometimes use separate entities for different transactions. What matters is the relationship between those entities, the destination of the funds, and the representations made when the loan was approved.””
Martin pointed at the screen of the funds, and the representations made when the loan was approved.””
Martin pointed at the screen.
“We need the original loan application, the bank records, and the correspondence between Patricia and the lender. If the.
“We need the original loan application, the bank records, and the correspondence between Patricia and the lender. If the anonymous sender has evidence of an agreement to shift liability onto you, that anonymous sender has evidence of an agreement to shift liability onto you, that would be significant.””
My phone vibrated again.
A new message appeared from the same unknown number.
**Check would be significant.””
My phone vibrated again.
A new message appeared from the same unknown number.
*Check the payment made to Brown Consulting on May 4. It wasn't a loan payment. the payment made to Brown Consulting on May 4. It wasn't a loan payment.*
I showed the others.
James immediately searched the company filings.
“**
I showed the others.
James immediately searched the company filings.
“Brown Consulting,” he murmured.
“That's Patricia's company.””
He opened the records for the day inBrown Consulting,” he murmured.
“That's Patricia's company.””
He opened the records for the day in question.
A payment of $18,500 had been recorded as a consulting expense.
The recipient was a business registered to Victor Hale.
David question.
A payment of $18,500 had been recorded as a consulting expense.
The recipient was a business registered to Victor Hale.
David stared at the screen.
“So she paid him nearly twenty thousand dollars?””
“Poss stared at the screen.
“So she paid him nearly twenty thousand dollars?””
“Possibly,” James said.
“We need the underlying bank records to confirm the payment and establish what itibly,” James said.
“We need the underlying bank records to confirm the payment and establish what it was for.””
I felt a cold pressure behind my ribs.
My mother had told me that her was for.””
I felt a cold pressure behind my ribs.
My mother had told me that her business was struggling because of the economy, rising costs, and a few unreliable clients.
She'd never mentioned paying business was struggling because of the economy, rising costs, and a few unreliable clients.
She'd never mentioned paying a private lender thousands of dollars for consulting.
“Could it have been a legitimate fee?”” I asked.
“Yes a private lender thousands of dollars for consulting.
“Could it have been a legitimate fee?”” I asked.
“Yes,” James said.
“But combined with the disputed guarantee and the alleged arrangement,” James said.
“But combined with the disputed guarantee and the alleged arrangement described in the message, it's something we need to examine.””
Martin wrote down described in the message, it's something we need to examine.””
Martin wrote down the transaction reference.
“Please don't contact Victor. If the sender is telling the the transaction reference.
“Please don't contact Victor. If the sender is telling the truth, we need to avoid giving him an opportunity to alter records or coordinate an explanation with Patricia.””
I truth, we need to avoid giving him an opportunity to alter records or coordinate an explanation with Patricia.””
I nodded, though I wasn't sure I could bear another day of nodded, though I wasn't sure I could bear another day of uncertainty.
Then my phone rang.
Patricia.
David looked at the screen.
“Don't answer.””
But this time, I uncertainty.
Then my phone rang.
Patricia.
David looked at the screen.
“Don't answer.””
But this time, I wanted to hear what my mother would say.
I stepped into the hallway and accepted the call.
“ wanted to hear what my mother would say.
I stepped into the hallway and accepted the call.
“Linda!”” Patricia sounded almost breathless.
“Where are you?””
“Why?””
“Because I need to speak toLinda!”” Patricia sounded almost breathless.
“Where are you?””
“Why?””
“Because I need to speak to you before you do something you'll regret.””
“About Victor?””
The silence you before you do something you'll regret.””
“About Victor?””
The silence was immediate.
I closed my eyes.
That single pause told me more than an hour of excuses could was immediate.
I closed my eyes.
That single pause told me more than an hour of excuses could have.
“How do you know that name?”” she asked.
“Because he's listed as the lender on the have.
“How do you know that name?”” she asked.
“Because he's listed as the lender on the loan you put against our house.””
“You don't understand the arrangement.””
“Then explain it.””
“I loan you put against our house.””
“You don't understand the arrangement.””
“Then explain it.””
“I can't explain everything over the phone.””
“You keep saying that. You said it about Grandma can't explain everything over the phone.””
“You keep saying that. You said it about Grandma's trust. You said it about the documents I signed. Now you're saying it about a loan that could cost us our home.””
's trust. You said it about the documents I signed. Now you're saying it about a loan that could cost us our home.””
“Linda, I was trying to protect you.””
“From what?””
“From consequences you don't“Linda, I was trying to protect you.””
“From what?””
“From consequences you don't understand.””
I pressed the phone harder against my ear.
“Did Victor pay you to put our names understand.””
I pressed the phone harder against my ear.
“Did Victor pay you to put our names on those documents?””
“No.””
The answer came too quickly.
“Did he pay your company eighteen thousand five hundred dollars on those documents?””
“No.””
The answer came too quickly.
“Did he pay your company eighteen thousand five hundred dollars on May fourth?””
Another silence.
“Where did you hear that?””
“So it's on May fourth?””
Another silence.
“Where did you hear that?””
“So it's true?””
“I did work for him.””
“What work?””
“Financial consulting.””
true?””
“I did work for him.””
“What work?””
“Financial consulting.””
“You've never consulted for his company.””
“I have contacts you“You've never consulted for his company.””
“I have contacts you know nothing about.””
“Did you use that money to pay your business debts?””
Patricia's know nothing about.””
“Did you use that money to pay your business debts?””
Patricia's voice hardened.
“Do you have any idea what I've sacrificed to keep that company alive? I built it from nothing voice hardened.
“Do you have any idea what I've sacrificed to keep that company alive? I built it from nothing. I employed people. I supported families.
When the money ran out, I had. I employed people. I supported families. When the money ran out, I had to make decisions.””
“Decisions that involved my signature?””
“I never meant for you to be hurt to make decisions.””
“Decisions that involved my signature?””
“I never meant for you to be hurt.””
“That isn't an answer.””
She exhaled sharply.
“Listen to me. Victor is not.””
“That isn't an answer.””
She exhaled sharply.
“Listen to me. Victor is not the person you should be worrying about.””
“Why?””
“Because if the person you should be worrying about.””
“Why?””
“Because if he thinks you're going to cooperate with the investigation, he'll make sure you lose everything.””
I froze he thinks you're going to cooperate with the investigation, he'll make sure you lose everything.””
I froze.
“Is that a threat?””
“No! It's a warning. I know what he's capable of.””
“Then why.
“Is that a threat?””
“No! It's a warning. I know what he's capable of.””
“Then why did you do business with him?””
“Because I had no choice!””
The words burst out did you do business with him?””
“Because I had no choice!””
The words burst out of her.
For the first time, my mother sounded genuinely frightened.
I heard a door close somewhere in of her.
For the first time, my mother sounded genuinely frightened.
I heard a door close somewhere in the background.
Then she lowered her voice.
“Linda, I need you to meet me. Alone the background.
Then she lowered her voice.
“Linda, I need you to meet me. Alone. No David, no lawyers. Just you and me.””
“Why?””
“Because there are things I cannot tell you if someone else is listening.””
I glanced toward the conference. No David, no lawyers. Just you and me.””
“Why?””
“Because there are things I cannot tell you if someone else is listening.””
I glanced toward the conference room.
Martin had told us not to contact her about the investigation. He hadn't explicitly forbidden me from listening room.
Martin had told us not to contact her about the investigation. He hadn't explicitly forbidden me from listening, but every instinct told me this conversation was a mistake.
“I'm not meeting you alone, but every instinct told me this conversation was a mistake.
“I'm not meeting you alone,” I said.
“Then you may never learn why your grandmother left that money,” I said.
“Then you may never learn why your grandmother left that money in the first place.””
My breath caught.
“What does Grandma have to do with Victor in the first place.””
My breath caught.
“What does Grandma have to do with Victor?””
Patricia said nothing.
“Mom?””
“Ask Martin what happened?””
Patricia said nothing.
“Mom?””
“Ask Martin what happened the year before your grandmother died.””
Then she hung up.
I stood in the hallway, staring at the dark screen.
When the year before your grandmother died.””
Then she hung up.
I stood in the hallway, staring at the dark screen.
When I returned to the conference room, David immediately stood.
“What did she say?””
I told them everything.
Martin's expression grew I returned to the conference room, David immediately stood.
“What did she say?””
I told them everything.
Martin's expression grew grave when I mentioned my grandmother's final year.
“I have some estate records from that period grave when I mentioned my grandmother's final year.
“I have some estate records from that period,” he said.
“But I don't recall any connection to Victor Hale.””
“Could my grandmother have known,” he said.
“But I don't recall any connection to Victor Hale.””
“Could my grandmother have known him?”” I asked.
“Possibly. We need to review the correspondence.””
David rubbed his face.
“Why would Patricia bring him?”” I asked.
“Possibly. We need to review the correspondence.””
David rubbed his face.
“Why would Patricia bring that up now?””
“Because she wants us to believe she has information we don't,” James that up now?””
“Because she wants us to believe she has information we don't,” James replied.
“That doesn't mean the information is false, but we should verify it independently replied.
“That doesn't mean the information is false, but we should verify it independently.””
Martin opened a cabinet and retrieved a box of older estate files.
He searched through correspondence, receipts, and.””
Martin opened a cabinet and retrieved a box of older estate files.
He searched through correspondence, receipts, and legal documents until he found a folder marked with my grandmother's name.
Inside was a letter from a bank, a legal documents until he found a folder marked with my grandmother's name.
Inside was a letter from a bank, a statement from a financial adviser, and a handwritten note dated eleven months before Evelyn died.
Martin read it silently statement from a financial adviser, and a handwritten note dated eleven months before Evelyn died.
Martin read it silently.
Then he passed it to me.
The note was brief.
*Martin, I am increasingly.
Then he passed it to me.
The note was brief.
*Martin, I am increasingly concerned about Patricia's association with Victor Hale. He has approached me twice regarding the sale concerned about Patricia's association with Victor Hale. He has approached me twice regarding the sale of my property, despite my clear refusal. Patricia insists he is only trying of my property, despite my clear refusal.
Patricia insists he is only trying to help her business. I do not trust him, and I do not want him involved in my to help her business. I do not trust him, and I do not want him involved in my estate.*
I read the note again.
My grandmother had known Victor.
She had refused estate.*
I read the note again.
My grandmother had known Victor.
She had refused to sell her property to him.
And my mother had continued working with him anyway.
“Was to sell her property to him.
And my mother had continued working with him anyway.
“Was the property ever sold?”” David asked.
“No,” Martin said.
“Evelyn's house was sold after the property ever sold?”” David asked.
“No,” Martin said.
“Evelyn's house was sold after her death to cover estate expenses and settle outstanding obligations. But Victor Hale was not the buyer according her death to cover estate expenses and settle outstanding obligations. But Victor Hale was not the buyer according to the records I have.””
“Then why would my mother say this is connected to Grandma to the records I have.””
“Then why would my mother say this is connected to Grandma's money?””
Martin examined the bank statement.
“Because there may have been another transaction.””
He turned a page.
A's money?””
Martin examined the bank statement.
“Because there may have been another transaction.””
He turned a page.
A transfer had been made from an account associated with my grandmother's estate shortly before her death.
The amount was $ transfer had been made from an account associated with my grandmother's estate shortly before her death.
The amount was $20,000.
The recipient was a company called Northbridge Holdings.
I stared20,000.
The recipient was a company called Northbridge Holdings.
I stared at the name.
“Is that Victor's company?””
James searched the business registry.
“No. But its at the name.
“Is that Victor's company?””
James searched the business registry.
“No. But its registered address is the same as the office used by one of Victor's companies five years ago.””
The registered address is the same as the office used by one of Victor's companies five years ago.””
The room seemed to grow smaller.
Martin compared the dates.
“The transfer was marked as a temporary deposit, pending the room seemed to grow smaller.
Martin compared the dates.
“The transfer was marked as a temporary deposit, pending the sale of an investment asset. I don't see a corresponding return payment in this sale of an investment asset. I don't see a corresponding return payment in this statement.””
“Could that be part of the missing money?”” I asked.
“Possibly. But we need the full account history and the original transaction records.””
David leaned forward statement.””
“Could that be part of the missing money?”” I asked.
“Possibly. But we need the full account history and the original transaction records.””
David leaned forward.
“Martin, can we establish whether Patricia had access to that account?””
Martin checked the estate documents.
“She was authorized to communicate with the bank during.
“Martin, can we establish whether Patricia had access to that account?””
Martin checked the estate documents.
“She was authorized to communicate with the bank during Evelyn's final months. But that did not necessarily give her authority to transfer funds for personal or unrelated Evelyn's final months. But that did not necessarily give her authority to transfer funds for personal or unrelated business purposes.””
I looked down at the note.
My grandmother had refused to trust Victor.
She had business purposes.””
I looked down at the note.
My grandmother had refused to trust Victor.
She had documented her concerns about my mother.
And she had created a trust to protect Maya and Noah.
Yet here documented her concerns about my mother.
And she had created a trust to protect Maya and Noah.
Yet here we were, years later, trying to work out whether the people she'd feared had found a way to turn her precautions against the very children we were, years later, trying to work out whether the people she'd feared had found a way to turn her precautions against the very children she'd wanted to protect.
My phone vibrated.
The unknown sender had replied to the message I'd forwarded.
**Patricia wasn't the she'd wanted to protect.
My phone vibrated.
The unknown sender had replied to the message I'd forwarded.
*Patricia wasn't the only person who signed something. Look at the original company incorporation papers.*
James searched the only person who signed something. Look at the original company incorporation papers.**
James searched the company registry.
A new document appeared.
The original incorporation papers for Brown Consulting had been filed years company registry.
A new document appeared.
The original incorporation papers for Brown Consulting had been filed years earlier.
Patricia was listed as the founder.
But another name appeared beneath hers earlier.
Patricia was listed as the founder.
But another name appeared beneath hers.
*Evelyn Brown — founding investor.*
I looked at Martin.
“Grandma invested in my mother's company?””
Martin.
*Evelyn Brown — founding investor.*
I looked at Martin.
“Grandma invested in my mother's company?””
Martin read the document carefully.
“It appears she did.””
“How much?””
James opened read the document carefully.
“It appears she did.””
“How much?””
James opened the attached agreement.
The initial investment was listed as $75,000.
I felt sick.
My grandmother hadn't simply left money for the attached agreement.
The initial investment was listed as $75,000.
I felt sick.
My grandmother hadn't simply left money for Maya and Noah.
She had once given my mother a substantial sum to build her business.
And now the company was Maya and Noah.
She had once given my mother a substantial sum to build her business.
And now the company was nearly bankrupt, the trust was depleted, and our house was tied to a loan we had never knowingly agreed to guarantee.
“Did Grandma nearly bankrupt, the trust was depleted, and our house was tied to a loan we had never knowingly agreed to guarantee.
“Did Grandma ever get that investment back?”” David asked.
Martin searched the file.
“I don't see evidence ever get that investment back?”” David asked.
Martin searched the file.
“I don't see evidence that she did.””
Then he found an amendment to the investment agreement.
It had been signed six months before Evelyn died.
The amendment transferred the that she did.””
Then he found an amendment to the investment agreement.
It had been signed six months before Evelyn died.
The amendment transferred the remaining ownership interest to Patricia, subject to a repayment obligation if the company failed to remaining ownership interest to Patricia, subject to a repayment obligation if the company failed to meet certain financial conditions.
I leaned closer.
At the bottom of the page was a signature that looked like meet certain financial conditions.
I leaned closer.
At the bottom of the page was a signature that looked like my grandmother's.
But beside it was a witness signature.
Victor Hale.
My mother had brought the my grandmother's.
But beside it was a witness signature.
Victor Hale.
My mother had brought the man my grandmother distrusted into the agreement that transferred control of her investment.
And the document had man my grandmother distrusted into the agreement that transferred control of her investment.
And the document had been signed only weeks before the mysterious $20,000 transfer to Northbridge Holdings.
Martin placed been signed only weeks before the mysterious $20,000 transfer to Northbridge Holdings.
Martin placed the pages together.
“We need to examine the originals. If this amendment was executed properly, it may explain part of the company's ownership the pages together.
“We need to examine the originals. If this amendment was executed properly, it may explain part of the company's ownership history. If it wasn't, it could be extremely important.””
I felt a chill move through me.
“Could my mother have used Grandma's money to pay Victor?””
“It's history. If it wasn't, it could be extremely important.””
I felt a chill move through me.
“Could my mother have used Grandma's money to pay Victor?””
“It's one possibility,” James said.
“But we need evidence before we can say that one possibility,” James said.
“But we need evidence before we can say that.””
David closed the folder.
“We're not stopping until we know.””
For.””
David closed the folder.
“We're not stopping until we know.””
For the first time, I realized the investigation might uncover something much larger than a stolen inheritance or a the first time, I realized the investigation might uncover something much larger than a stolen inheritance or a fraudulent loan.
It might reveal that my grandmother had spent her final year trying to protect her family from a financial arrangement she could fraudulent loan.
It might reveal that my grandmother had spent her final year trying to protect her family from a financial arrangement she could no longer control.
And that my mother had been caught between a debt she couldn't repay and no longer control.
And that my mother had been caught between a debt she couldn't repay and a man who knew exactly how to exploit it.
I still didn't know whether Patricia had planned everything from the beginning.
But a man who knew exactly how to exploit it.
I still didn't know whether Patricia had planned everything from the beginning.
But I was beginning to understand why she was so desperate to keep us from looking.
Because somewhere in those missing records was the answer I was beginning to understand why she was so desperate to keep us from looking.
Because somewhere in those missing records was the answer to one question she had never wanted me to ask:
What had Victor Hale demanded in to one question she had never wanted me to ask:
What had Victor Hale demanded in exchange for helping her keep her business alive?
And why had my mother been willing to risk her grandchildren exchange for helping her keep her business alive?
May you like
And why had my mother been willing to risk her grandchildren's future—and her daughter's home—to give it to him?
's future—and her daughter's home—to give it to him?
