Chapter 4: The Name## Chapter 4: The Name on the Second Inquiry
At 8: on the Second Inquiry
At 8:17 the next morning, my attorney called with a question that made my17 the next morning, my attorney called with a question that made my coffee turn cold in my hand.
“Lauren, before I tell you what we found, I need you to answer something honestly. Has Marcus ever asked you to sign coffee turn cold in my hand.
“Lauren, before I tell you what we found, I need you to answer something honestly. Has Marcus ever asked you to sign documents related to your house without explaining exactly what they were?””
I stared at the kitchen window.
Outside documents related to your house without explaining exactly what they were?””
I stared at the kitchen window.
Outside, the gardener was trimming the hedges. The sprinklers hissed over the lawn, sending tiny diamonds of water into the, the gardener was trimming the hedges. The sprinklers hissed over the lawn, sending tiny diamonds of water into the morning sunlight. Everything looked perfectly ordinary.
Inside the house, nothing was ordinary anymore.
“Not a deed,” I said morning sunlight. Everything looked perfectly ordinary.
Inside the house, nothing was ordinary anymore.
“Not a deed,” I said.
“But he has brought home paperwork from time to time. Insurance forms, tax.
“But he has brought home paperwork from time to time. Insurance forms, tax documents, things like that. Why?””
“Did you sign anything?””
“Possibly a few routine documents, things like that. Why?””
“Did you sign anything?””
“Possibly a few routine documents. Nothing that I understood to be a transfer of ownership.””
My attorney, Evelyn Brooks documents. Nothing that I understood to be a transfer of ownership.””
My attorney, Evelyn Brooks, paused.
“I want you to locate every document you can find. Don't sign anything else, paused.
“I want you to locate every document you can find. Don't sign anything else until we've reviewed it.””
“What did you discover?””
“The second inquiry came from a man named Daniel Mercer. He contacted the same investment firm two until we've reviewed it.””
“What did you discover?””
“The second inquiry came from a man named Daniel Mercer. He contacted the same investment firm two days before Patricia did.””
I repeated the name silently.
Daniel Mercer.
It meant days before Patricia did.””
I repeated the name silently.
Daniel Mercer.
It meant nothing to me.
“Who is he?””
“According to the information the firm provided, he's nothing to me.
“Who is he?””
“According to the information the firm provided, he's a business associate of Marcus's. They have apparently discussed a private investment opportunity a business associate of Marcus's. They have apparently discussed a private investment opportunity.””
I set down my coffee.
“What kind of investment?””
“That hasn't been established. But Daniel.””
I set down my coffee.
“What kind of investment?””
“That hasn't been established. But Daniel asked whether the Willow Creek property had any outstanding debt and whether the owner might consider using it as collateral.””
asked whether the Willow Creek property had any outstanding debt and whether the owner might consider using it as collateral.””
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
The house was mortgage-free. I had paid offFor several seconds, I couldn't speak.
The house was mortgage-free. I had paid off the remaining balance eighteen months earlier, using profits from a commercial renovation project.
Marcus knew the remaining balance eighteen months earlier, using profits from a commercial renovation project.
Marcus knew I had celebrated the final payment with a bottle I had celebrated the final payment with a bottle of champagne.
He had been standing beside me in the kitchen when I told him I would never again have to worry about a mortgage payment.
Apparently, he had heard something different.
“Did of champagne.
He had been standing beside me in the kitchen when I told him I would never again have to worry about a mortgage payment.
Apparently, he had heard something different.
“Did Daniel tell them Marcus owned the property?”” I asked.
“No. He asked who owned it. The firm Daniel tell them Marcus owned the property?”” I asked.
“No. He asked who owned it. The firm declined to provide private information without authorization. He then said he believed Marcus could arrange a meeting with the owner.””
I declined to provide private information without authorization. He then said he believed Marcus could arrange a meeting with the owner.””
I closed my eyes.
“Did Patricia contact him?””
“We don't know yet. closed my eyes.
“Did Patricia contact him?””
“We don't know yet. But the timing is suspicious enough that we need to investigate carefully.””
I stood and walked to the study But the timing is suspicious enough that we need to investigate carefully.””
I stood and walked to the study.
“Evelyn, I want to be very clear about something. Nobody has permission to sell.
“Evelyn, I want to be very clear about something. Nobody has permission to sell my house, borrow against it, or represent themselves as authorized to act for me.””
“I understand. We'll put my house, borrow against it, or represent themselves as authorized to act for me.””
“I understand. We'll put the appropriate notices in place after reviewing the records. For now, preserve everything and avoid the appropriate notices in place after reviewing the records. For now, preserve everything and avoid confronting either person with allegations you cannot yet prove.””
“I confronting either person with allegations you cannot yet prove.””
“I will.””
“And Lauren?””
“Yes?””
“If there are financial documents you signed during will.””
“And Lauren?””
“Yes?””
“If there are financial documents you signed during the marriage, I need to see them. Even if you believe they were routine.””
When the marriage, I need to see them. Even if you believe they were routine.””
When we ended the call, I stood in the study doorway, looking at the shelves of we ended the call, I stood in the study doorway, looking at the shelves of binders and folders Marcus had never bothered to examine.
For seven years, he had watched binders and folders Marcus had never bothered to examine.
For seven years, he had watched me manage contracts, review budgets, and build a business from the ground up.
Yet me manage contracts, review budgets, and build a business from the ground up.
Yet somewhere along the way, he had begun treating my competence as an inconvenience and my resources as something he could claim somewhere along the way, he had begun treating my competence as an inconvenience and my resources as something he could claim.
I pulled open the bottom drawer of the filing cabinet.
The first folder contained our insurance.
I pulled open the bottom drawer of the filing cabinet.
The first folder contained our insurance policies.
The second held property tax statements.
The third contained documents from the year Marcus policies.
The second held property tax statements.
The third contained documents from the year Marcus received his first management promotion.
I opened it.
There were salary letters, vehicle insurance received his first management promotion.
I opened it.
There were salary letters, vehicle insurance forms, and a stack of papers from a financial services company. Most were familiar.
One wasn't.
forms, and a stack of papers from a financial services company. Most were familiar.
One wasn't.
It was a document titled *Property Information and Financial Authorization*.
My signatureIt was a document titled *Property Information and Financial Authorization*.
My signature appeared near the bottom of the final page.
I remembered signing it.
Marcus had brought it home after dinner appeared near the bottom of the final page.
I remembered signing it.
Marcus had brought it home after dinner one night, explaining that his company needed updated household information for a benefits review. He had been impatient because he wanted to leave for one night, explaining that his company needed updated household information for a benefits review. He had been impatient because he wanted to leave for a football game with his colleagues.
I had skimmed the first page, checked the address a football game with his colleagues.
I had skimmed the first page, checked the address, and signed where he had pointed.
Now I read every line.
The document authorized the release of certain, and signed where he had pointed.
Now I read every line.
The document authorized the release of certain financial information to a named third party. It did not transfer ownership of my house financial information to a named third party. It did not transfer ownership of my house, but the scope of the authorization was broader than I remembered.
I photographed every page and sent, but the scope of the authorization was broader than I remembered.
I photographed every page and sent the images to Evelyn.
Then I found the name of the third party.
the images to Evelyn.
Then I found the name of the third party.
Daniel Mercer.
My phone buzzed almost immediately.
Evelyn had reviewed the document.
**This doesDaniel Mercer.
My phone buzzed almost immediately.
Evelyn had reviewed the document.
**This does not establish that Daniel has any right to the property. Do not assume that it does. I am checking whether the authorization not establish that Daniel has any right to the property.
Do not assume that it does. I am checking whether the authorization is still active and what information was disclosed under it.**
I read the message twice.
Then I heard footsteps behind me.
Marcus stood at the study entrance, holding a is still active and what information was disclosed under it.**
I read the message twice.
Then I heard footsteps behind me.
Marcus stood at the study entrance, holding a travel mug.
“What are you doing?””
“Organizing paperwork.””
He glanced at the open filing cabinet.
“Why are you looking through those travel mug.
“What are you doing?””
“Organizing paperwork.””
He glanced at the open filing cabinet.
“Why are you looking through those?””
“Because I found something I needed to review.””
His eyes dropped to the document in my hand.
For the briefest moment, his expression changed.
?””
“Because I found something I needed to review.””
His eyes dropped to the document in my hand.
For the briefest moment, his expression changed.
Then he recovered.
“Oh. That old form.””
IThen he recovered.
“Oh. That old form.””
I held it up.
“You remember signing this with me?””
“Of course. It held it up.
“You remember signing this with me?””
“Of course. It was routine.””
“Why did it authorize Daniel Mercer to receive financial information about our household was routine.””
“Why did it authorize Daniel Mercer to receive financial information about our household?””
Marcus's fingers tightened around his travel mug.
“Daniel was helping me with a business opportunity.””
?””
Marcus's fingers tightened around his travel mug.
“Daniel was helping me with a business opportunity.””
“What business opportunity?””
“Nothing important.””
“Then why did he“What business opportunity?””
“Nothing important.””
“Then why did he need access to my financial information?””
“He didn't need your private information. It was just a standard form.””
“It says otherwise.””
Marcus stepped into the room need access to my financial information?””
“He didn't need your private information. It was just a standard form.””
“It says otherwise.””
Marcus stepped into the room and held out his hand.
“Give me that.””
“No.””
His eyebrows rose.
“What did you say?””
“I said no. I've sent it to my attorney and held out his hand.
“Give me that.””
“No.””
His eyebrows rose.
“What did you say?””
“I said no. I've sent it to my attorney for review.””
He stared at me as if I'd slapped him.
“You involved a lawyer over a piece of paperwork?””
“I involved a lawyer because for review.””
He stared at me as if I'd slapped him.
“You involved a lawyer over a piece of paperwork?””
“I involved a lawyer because someone has been making inquiries about my property.””
His face went pale.
“What inquiries?””
I watched him carefully.
“You tell someone has been making inquiries about my property.””
His face went pale.
“What inquiries?””
I watched him carefully.
“You tell me.””
For a moment, I thought he might answer.
Instead, he set his travel mug down and ran a hand through his me.””
For a moment, I thought he might answer.
Instead, he set his travel mug down and ran a hand through his hair.
“Lauren, you're making this into something it isn't.””
“Then explain it.””
“Daniel and hair.
“Lauren, you're making this into something it isn't.””
“Then explain it.””
“Daniel and I were discussing an investment. That's all.””
“An investment secured by what?””
“Nothing has happened I were discussing an investment. That's all.””
“An investment secured by what?””
“Nothing has happened!””
“That's not what I asked.””
He looked toward the hallway, then lowered!””
“That's not what I asked.””
He looked toward the hallway, then lowered his voice.
“I was trying to find a way to grow our money. My promotion wasn't enough, and I wanted to do something bigger.””
“ his voice.
“I was trying to find a way to grow our money. My promotion wasn't enough, and I wanted to do something bigger.””
“Using my house?””
“I never said that!””
“You signed a document giving Daniel access to financialUsing my house?””
“I never said that!””
“You signed a document giving Daniel access to financial information, and now he's asking whether my property can be used as collateral.””
Marcus's jaw worked.
“Maybe he information, and now he's asking whether my property can be used as collateral.””
Marcus's jaw worked.
“Maybe he was just exploring options.””
“Without my permission?””
“It's our home!””
“No, Marcus. It's the was just exploring options.””
“Without my permission?””
“It's our home!””
“No, Marcus. It's the house where we live. That doesn't give you permission to offer it as security for house where we live. That doesn't give you permission to offer it as security for an investment.””
He slammed his palm against the desk.
“You always have to make me an investment.””
He slammed his palm against the desk.
“You always have to make me feel like I'm nothing!””
I stood up.
“I'm not responsible for how you feel about a boundary you feel like I'm nothing!””
I stood up.
“I'm not responsible for how you feel about a boundary you chose to cross.””
He stared at me, breathing hard.
Then he snatched up his travel mug and walked out.
A moment later, I heard him calling Patricia.
“Mom, we need to talk chose to cross.””
He stared at me, breathing hard.
Then he snatched up his travel mug and walked out.
A moment later, I heard him calling Patricia.
“Mom, we need to talk. Now.””
I stayed in the study and continued reviewing the files.
Ten minutes later, Patricia appeared in the doorway.
She wasn't smiling anymore.
“Why are you dragging Daniel into this?””
I looked up slowly.
“That's. Now.””
I stayed in the study and continued reviewing the files.
Ten minutes later, Patricia appeared in the doorway.
She wasn't smiling anymore.
“Why are you dragging Daniel into this?””
I looked up slowly.
“That's an interesting question.””
She folded her arms.
“He's a friend of Marcus's. He an interesting question.””
She folded her arms.
“He's a friend of Marcus's. He was trying to help.””
“Help with what?””
“An investment.””
“An investment that required information about my house was trying to help.””
“Help with what?””
“An investment.””
“An investment that required information about my house?””
Patricia's eyes narrowed.
“Don't act as if you're the only person in this family who understands money.””
“I don't.?””
Patricia's eyes narrowed.
“Don't act as if you're the only person in this family who understands money.””
“I don't. But I understand that I didn't authorize anyone to use my property.””
She stepped closer to the desk.
“Marcus was trying to build a future. A good wife would support him instead of humiliating him.””
“A But I understand that I didn't authorize anyone to use my property.””
She stepped closer to the desk.
“Marcus was trying to build a future. A good wife would support him instead of humiliating him.””
“A good husband would discuss a major financial decision with his wife before involving a third party.””
Her mouth tightened.
“You good husband would discuss a major financial decision with his wife before involving a third party.””
Her mouth tightened.
“You've always wanted to control him.””
“No. I wanted him to be honest with me.””
Patricia pointed've always wanted to control him.””
“No. I wanted him to be honest with me.””
Patricia pointed at the document.
“Give that to me.””
“Why?””
“Because it belongs to the family.””
I placed at the document.
“Give that to me.””
“Why?””
“Because it belongs to the family.””
I placed it inside the folder.
“This document contains my signature and information about my property. it inside the folder.
“This document contains my signature and information about my property. My attorney will handle it.””
Patricia's expression hardened.
“Then I suppose we'll have to find another way.””
The words slipped out My attorney will handle it.””
Patricia's expression hardened.
“Then I suppose we'll have to find another way.””
The words slipped out so naturally that she seemed not to realize what she had said.
I rose from my chair.
“Another way to do what?””
She stepped back.
“Nothing. so naturally that she seemed not to realize what she had said.
I rose from my chair.
“Another way to do what?””
She stepped back.
“Nothing. I meant another way to resolve this family disagreement.””
“Then you won't I meant another way to resolve this family disagreement.””
“Then you won't mind explaining what you meant to my attorney.””
Patricia turned toward the door.
“You are becoming impossible mind explaining what you meant to my attorney.””
Patricia turned toward the door.
“You are becoming impossible to live with.””
“I'm beginning to think to live with.””
“I'm beginning to think that was the point.””
She spun around.
“Excuse me?””
“For years, I've paid for things because I wanted this family to be comfortable. The moment I stopped, you began that was the point.””
She spun around.
“Excuse me?””
“For years, I've paid for things because I wanted this family to be comfortable. The moment I stopped, you began threatening me. Now I find out that you and someone connected to Marcus have been asking threatening me. Now I find out that you and someone connected to Marcus have been asking questions about my house.””
“Watch your accusations!””
“I haven't accused you of anything. I'm asking questions questions about my house.””
“Watch your accusations!””
“I haven't accused you of anything. I'm asking questions.””
She stormed out.
I heard her footsteps race down the hall, followed by a bedroom door sl.””
She stormed out.
I heard her footsteps race down the hall, followed by a bedroom door slamming.
For several minutes, I remained still.
Then Evelyn called back.
“We've confirmed that the financialamming.
For several minutes, I remained still.
Then Evelyn called back.
“We've confirmed that the financial authorization was used to request preliminary information from a lender. We haven't established that any application was submitted authorization was used to request preliminary information from a lender. We haven't established that any application was submitted or that any loan was approved.””
My heart pounded.
“Was my house listed as or that any loan was approved.””
My heart pounded.
“Was my house listed as collateral?””
“Not formally, according to the records we've reviewed so far. But the inquiry specifically identified collateral?””
“Not formally, according to the records we've reviewed so far. But the inquiry specifically identified the property as a possible asset supporting a proposed transaction.””
“Who made the inquiry?””
“Daniel Mercer.””
“And Marcus?””
“He appears to have the property as a possible asset supporting a proposed transaction.””
“Who made the inquiry?””
“Daniel Mercer.””
“And Marcus?””
“He appears to have participated in preliminary discussions. We need the underlying communications before drawing any conclusions about participated in preliminary discussions. We need the underlying communications before drawing any conclusions about his intentions.””
I looked at the folder on my desk.
“What do you recommend?””
“Preserve the original documents. Don't his intentions.””
I looked at the folder on my desk.
“What do you recommend?””
“Preserve the original documents. Don't delete messages. Don't sign anything new.
I'll send you a written summary of delete messages. Don't sign anything new. I'll send you a written summary of the steps we can take to protect your interests, and we'll review the marital property questions separately.””
“ the steps we can take to protect your interests, and we'll review the marital property questions separately.””
“Thank you.””
After the call, I walked to the kitchen.
Patricia stood beside the counter, typingThank you.””
After the call, I walked to the kitchen.
Patricia stood beside the counter, typing furiously on her phone. When she saw me, she turned the screen away.
I didn't ask whom furiously on her phone. When she saw me, she turned the screen away.
I didn't ask whom she was messaging.
I didn't need to.
I had learned something more important.
she was messaging.
I didn't need to.
I had learned something more important.
The threats about dinner and household expenses had been aThe threats about dinner and household expenses had been a distraction. The real conflict concerned something neither Patricia nor Marcus had expected me distraction. The real conflict concerned something neither Patricia nor Marcus had expected me to question.
My property.
My money.
My right to decide what happened to both.
That evening, I received a message from an to question.
My property.
My money.
My right to decide what happened to both.
That evening, I received a message from an unknown number.
**You should ask your husband what happened to the $25,000 he borrowed unknown number.
*You should ask your husband what happened to the $25,000 he borrowed from Daniel three months ago.*
I read it once.
Then I read it again.
Twenty-five thousand dollars.
from Daniel three months ago.**
I read it once.
Then I read it again.
Twenty-five thousand dollars.
Three months ago.
Marcus had told me he was attending a regional sales conference in Atlanta during that period. HeThree months ago.
Marcus had told me he was attending a regional sales conference in Atlanta during that period. He had returned with a new watch strap, a story about a lavish client dinner, and a complaint had returned with a new watch strap, a story about a lavish client dinner, and a complaint that his company hadn't reimbursed his travel expenses quickly enough.
I had paid the credit card bill that his company hadn't reimbursed his travel expenses quickly enough.
I had paid the credit card bill that month because he said his salary had been delayed.
Now someone that month because he said his salary had been delayed.
Now someone was telling me he had borrowed $25,000 from Daniel.
I typed was telling me he had borrowed $25,000 from Daniel.
I typed a response.
*Who is this?*
The message showed as delivered.
No answer came.
I called the number.
It a response.
*Who is this?*
The message showed as delivered.
No answer came.
I called the number.
It went straight to voicemail.
Then another message appeared.
**Ask him before he tells went straight to voicemail.
Then another message appeared.
*Ask him before he tells his mother another lie.*
I stood in the kitchen with the phone in my hand, listening to the refrigerator hum.
Upstairs, Patricia was laughing on the phone.
Marcus was in the garage, talking to someone in a low voice.
I couldn't hear his his mother another lie.**
I stood in the kitchen with the phone in my hand, listening to the refrigerator hum.
Upstairs, Patricia was laughing on the phone.
Marcus was in the garage, talking to someone in a low voice.
I couldn't hear his words.
But I heard him say one sentence clearly.
“Just give me until Friday words.
But I heard him say one sentence clearly.
“Just give me until Friday. I'll make sure you get your money.””
I didn't move.
Because for the first time, I wondered whether. I'll make sure you get your money.””
I didn't move.
Because for the first time, I wondered whether the $12,000 salary Marcus had proudly handed to his mother was the the $12,000 salary Marcus had proudly handed to his mother was the only money he had already given away.
Or whether he was trying to hide a debt that could reach only money he had already given away.
May you like
Or whether he was trying to hide a debt that could reach far beyond our marriage.
far beyond our marriage.
