Chapter 9 - THE NAMES
The external audit identified seventy-three households with questionable Briar recoveries across four states.
Not every complaint was proven.
Some seizures were valid.
Some borrowers had signed legitimate voluntary-surrender agreements.
Mara insisted on separating them.
Truth loses power when inflated.
But thirty-one cases showed strong evidence of improper taking, misleading documents, or coercive entry.
Nine involved Romano-linked debt portfolios.
Sarah’s was one.
Federal and state investigators opened cases around mail fraud, wire fraud, deceptive collection practices, theft-related conduct, and conspiracy allegations.
Grant Holloway claimed rogue employees were responsible.
Nicole’s records hurt that defense.
So did internal messages.
Grant to field supervisor:
If they let you inside, clear anything with resale value.
Supervisor:
Even if not listed collateral?
Grant:
Call it voluntary recovery.
Another:
People pay faster when the house looks empty.
Victor read that message once.
Then closed the file.
He thought about Emily in the rain.
May you like
Selling the last thing men had decided was not worth taking.
The bicycle.
