Chapter 7 - THE GRANDMOTHER’S LAST SIGNATURE
Emily refused to believe the affidavit meant what Madison claimed.
Arthur agreed.
“A signature can be genuine while the document is fraudulent.”
Grant smiled.
“An attorney should know better than to make accusations without evidence.”
Arthur looked at him.
“I know exactly what you are capable of.”
Grant’s smile vanished.
There was history there.
Emily noticed.
“Tell me.”
Neither man spoke.
“Now.”
Arthur finally explained.
In 1997, Grant had approached Emily’s grandmother with an offer.
He would waive the Blake family’s mineral claim if she sold the southern tract.
She refused.
Two weeks later, Arthur’s office was burglarized.
Several original land documents vanished.
Grant said, “You never proved I had anything to do with that.”
“No,” Arthur replied. “I didn’t.”
Madison looked at Emily.
“You see the problem? Your entire case is built on suspicions people have repeated for thirty years.”
Emily said, “And yours is built on documents that appear whenever you need them.”
Madison smiled.
“Then challenge them.”
Emily hated how good she was at this.
Grant stood.
“The bank closes the financing in eleven days.”
Emily looked at him.
“I won’t sign.”
“You may not need to.”
After they left, Ryan remained.
Emily turned on him.
“What does that mean?”
Ryan looked miserable.
“The development agreement contains a spousal authorization.”
“What?”
“I signed as your husband.”
“You cannot sell inherited property.”
“No.”
“But?”
“If the bank accepted the property as marital collateral in good faith—”
“They didn’t act in good faith.”
“Prove they knew.”
Emily stared at him.
Ryan continued.
“This is why Madison wanted the mental-health records.”
Emily’s blood went cold.
“What records?”
Ryan closed his eyes.
“Emily…”
“What records?”
“Dr. Nathan Cole.”
Her obstetrician.
Emily stood.
“No.”
Ryan said, “Madison asked whether pregnancy anxiety could affect contractual capacity.”
Emily could barely speak.
“You gave her access to my medical information?”
“I didn’t.”
“Then how did she know?”
“I don’t know.”
Emily grabbed her phone.
She called Dr. Cole’s office.
The receptionist hesitated.
Then confirmed someone had requested copies of Emily’s records.
Authorized electronically.
By Emily.
She had never authorized it.
The receptionist said, “Mrs. Calloway, there’s one more thing.”
“What?”
“The request wasn’t sent to Blake Development.”
Emily’s pulse quickened.
“Where was it sent?”
May you like
The receptionist read the address.
Arthur Wynn’s law office.
