Chapter 5: The Daughter Who Wanted Everything
Jordan barely slept that night.
At six in the morning, he was already
Jordan barely slept that night.
At six in the morning, he was already sitting in Samuel's kitchen, reading through every document his grandfather could find.
There sitting in Samuel's kitchen, reading through every document his grandfather could find.
There were bank statements.
Trust papers.
Insurance notices.
Letters from the county.
And a medical evaluation Samuel had never seen before.
Jordan picked it up.
"Grandpa, what is this?""
Samuel adjusted his glasses.
"I don't know.""
The were bank statements.
Trust papers.
Insurance notices.
Letters from the county.
And a medical evaluation Samuel had never seen before.
Jordan picked it up.
"Grandpa, what is this?""
Samuel adjusted his glasses.
"I don't know.""
The document carried the name of a private medical clinic.
It stated that Samuel had been referred for a cognitive assessment.
At the document carried the name of a private medical clinic.
It stated that Samuel had been referred for a cognitive assessment.
At the bottom was a signature.
Denise Hayes.
Jordan stared at it.
"Did Mom take you to this clinic?""
"No.""
"Did you agree to an evaluation?""
"No.""
Jordan placed bottom was a signature.
Denise Hayes.
Jordan stared at it.
"Did Mom take you to this clinic?""
"No.""
"Did you agree to an evaluation?""
"No.""
Jordan placed the document on the table.
"She's been doing this behind your back.""
Samuel rubbed his forehead.
"I don't understand why.""
Jordan looked at him.
"Maybe because the document on the table.
"She's been doing this behind your back.""
Samuel rubbed his forehead.
"I don't understand why.""
Jordan looked at him.
"Maybe because she thinks she can get away with it.""
Samuel didn't respond.
A knock sounded at the front door.
Jordan stood immediately.
"Stay here.""
He opened the door.
she thinks she can get away with it.""
Samuel didn't respond.
A knock sounded at the front door.
Jordan stood immediately.
"Stay here.""
He opened the door.
Denise stood on the porch, wearing a navy coat and carrying a leather folder.
Her hair was perfectly styled.
Her expression was not.
"WhereDenise stood on the porch, wearing a navy coat and carrying a leather folder.
Her hair was perfectly styled.
Her expression was not.
"Where's your grandfather?""
"Inside.""
"Move.""
"Mom, we need to talk.""
"Not here.""
"Yes's your grandfather?""
"Inside.""
"Move.""
"Mom, we need to talk.""
"Not here.""
"Yes. Here.""
Denise looked at him sharply.
"Don't start.""
Jordan stepped aside but. Here.""
Denise looked at him sharply.
"Don't start.""
Jordan stepped aside but didn't move away from the doorway.
"Why did you submit a medical evaluation under Grandpa's name?""
Her didn't move away from the doorway.
"Why did you submit a medical evaluation under Grandpa's name?""
Her face changed.
Only for a second.
Then she recovered.
"Who told you that?""
"Does it matter?""
"Yes, it matters.""
"Did you do it?""
Denise face changed.
Only for a second.
Then she recovered.
"Who told you that?""
"Does it matter?""
"Yes, it matters.""
"Did you do it?""
Denise put her folder down on the porch table.
"Your grandfather has been making poor decisions. Somebody has to protect him.""
"By put her folder down on the porch table.
"Your grandfather has been making poor decisions. Somebody has to protect him.""
"By taking his house?""
"I didn't take anything.""
"The county called last night.""
Denise taking his house?""
"I didn't take anything.""
"The county called last night.""
Denise froze.
"What county?""
"The legal office.""
She looked past him toward the kitchen.
Samuel was standing in the doorway.
"Good morning, Denise.""
She forced a smile.
" froze.
"What county?""
"The legal office.""
She looked past him toward the kitchen.
Samuel was standing in the doorway.
"Good morning, Denise.""
She forced a smile.
"Hi, Dad.""
Samuel looked at the folder.
"What did you bring?""
"Some paperwork we need to finish.""
"I don't think so.""
Her smile disappeared.
"Dad, please.Hi, Dad.""
Samuel looked at the folder.
"What did you bring?""
"Some paperwork we need to finish.""
"I don't think so.""
Her smile disappeared.
"Dad, please. We have discussed this.""
"No, Denise. You discussed it. I signed We have discussed this.""
"No, Denise. You discussed it. I signed something because I trusted you.""
She stepped inside.
"That's exactly why we need to get this sorted out.""
Jordan closed the door.
"Why something because I trusted you.""
She stepped inside.
"That's exactly why we need to get this sorted out.""
Jordan closed the door.
"Why did you file a request to have him declared incapable?""
Denise turned toward him.
"You're twenty-two did you file a request to have him declared incapable?""
Denise turned toward him.
"You're twenty-two years old. You don't understand what happens when an elderly person starts losing control of his affairs.""
"He's not losing control.""
"You don't live here.""
"Neither do you.""
The words struck her.
Denise's years old. You don't understand what happens when an elderly person starts losing control of his affairs.""
"He's not losing control.""
"You don't live here.""
"Neither do you.""
The words struck her.
Denise's eyes narrowed.
"Watch your tone.""
Samuel moved toward the table.
"Let's sit down.""
Nobody moved.
Denise opened her eyes narrowed.
"Watch your tone.""
Samuel moved toward the table.
"Let's sit down.""
Nobody moved.
Denise opened her folder and removed a stack of documents.
"All right. I'll folder and removed a stack of documents.
"All right. I'll explain it simply. Dad's house needs to be protected.
His finances need to be organized. He can't keep managing everything himself.""
Samuel stared at her.
"I've managed my affairs for forty years.""
"And you've made explain it simply. Dad's house needs to be protected. His finances need to be organized. He can't keep managing everything himself.""
Samuel stared at her.
"I've managed my affairs for forty years.""
"And you've made mistakes.""
"Such as?""
"You've refused help.""
Samuel shook his head.
"I never refused help. I refused signing mistakes.""
"Such as?""
"You've refused help.""
Samuel shook his head.
"I never refused help. I refused signing papers I didn't understand.""
Denise's jaw tightened.
"Do you know how much this house costs to maintain?""
"I do.""
"Do you know how much property taxes are?""
"Yes.""
papers I didn't understand.""
Denise's jaw tightened.
"Do you know how much this house costs to maintain?""
"I do.""
"Do you know how much property taxes are?""
"Yes.""
"Then you know it makes sense to transfer ownership.""
Jordan stepped forward.
"To you?""
Denise turned.
"Someone has"Then you know it makes sense to transfer ownership.""
Jordan stepped forward.
"To you?""
Denise turned.
"Someone has to handle it.""
"Why not a lawyer?""
"Because lawyers cost money.""
"Then why not an independent trustee?""
She stared at to handle it.""
"Why not a lawyer?""
"Because lawyers cost money.""
"Then why not an independent trustee?""
She stared at him.
For a moment, she had no answer.
Samuel sat down slowly.
"Denise, I need you to tell him.
For a moment, she had no answer.
Samuel sat down slowly.
"Denise, I need you to tell me something.""
"What?""
"Did you sign my name on that document?""
She looked away.
"That isn't what happened.""
"Did you?""
"I me something.""
"What?""
"Did you sign my name on that document?""
She looked away.
"That isn't what happened.""
"Did you?""
"I was trying to help you.""
"That's not an answer.""
Denise dropped the folder onto the table.
"Fine. was trying to help you.""
"That's not an answer.""
Denise dropped the folder onto the table.
"Fine. I signed the paperwork because you wouldn't cooperate.""
Jordan stared at her.
"You forged his I signed the paperwork because you wouldn't cooperate.""
Jordan stared at her.
"You forged his signature?""
"I had authorization.""
"Where?""
She opened her mouth.
Then closed signature?""
"I had authorization.""
"Where?""
She opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
Samuel looked at her for a long time.
"Denise, I raised you to understand the difference it.
Samuel looked at her for a long time.
"Denise, I raised you to understand the difference between helping someone and taking advantage of them.""
Her face reddened.
"You raised me to struggle.""
Samuel blinked.
"What?""
"You between helping someone and taking advantage of them.""
Her face reddened.
"You raised me to struggle.""
Samuel blinked.
"What?""
"You were always gone. Always working. Always worrying about somebody else's problems. I had to figure everything out myself.""
were always gone. Always working. Always worrying about somebody else's problems. I had to figure everything out myself.""
Samuel lowered his eyes.
"I know I made mistakes.""
"You don't know anything.""
Denise'sSamuel lowered his eyes.
"I know I made mistakes.""
"You don't know anything.""
Denise's voice rose.
"You think because you wore that uniform for thirty years, everyone owes you respect. But you don't know what it takes to live in the real world.""
Jordan voice rose.
"You think because you wore that uniform for thirty years, everyone owes you respect. But you don't know what it takes to live in the real world.""
Jordan stepped between them.
"Stop.""
Denise turned toward him.
"You have no idea what I've done for this family.""
"You told me Grandpa was embarrassing stepped between them.
"Stop.""
Denise turned toward him.
"You have no idea what I've done for this family.""
"You told me Grandpa was embarrassing.""
"I said he needed to dress appropriately.""
"You told me not to let him into the pictures.""
"Because I didn't want people judging us!""
Samuel slowly.""
"I said he needed to dress appropriately.""
"You told me not to let him into the pictures.""
"Because I didn't want people judging us!""
Samuel slowly stood.
"Denise.""
She turned toward him.
"What?""
"I was your father before I was a soldier.""
The room stood.
"Denise.""
She turned toward him.
"What?""
"I was your father before I was a soldier.""
The room fell silent.
Samuel continued.
"I may not have been perfect. I may not have given you everything you wanted. But I never stopped trying to give you everything I fell silent.
Samuel continued.
"I may not have been perfect. I may not have given you everything you wanted. But I never stopped trying to give you everything I could.""
Denise looked away.
For a moment, her expression softened.
Then her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen and could.""
Denise looked away.
For a moment, her expression softened.
Then her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen and rejected the call.
Jordan noticed the name.
*Graham Whitmore.*
"Who's Graham rejected the call.
Jordan noticed the name.
*Graham Whitmore.*
"Who's Graham?""
Denise slipped the phone into her purse.
"Nobody you need to know.""
Samuel looked at her.
"Is that the man?""
Denise slipped the phone into her purse.
"Nobody you need to know.""
Samuel looked at her.
"Is that the man who has been helping you with the paperwork?""
Denise's face tightened.
"How do you know about Graham?""
"His name who has been helping you with the paperwork?""
Denise's face tightened.
"How do you know about Graham?""
"His name appeared on one of the documents.""
Jordan picked up the folder.
He searched through the pages until he found a business card.
Graham Whitmore.
Property appeared on one of the documents.""
Jordan picked up the folder.
He searched through the pages until he found a business card.
Graham Whitmore.
Property Development Consultant.
Beneath the title was the name of a company that specialized in acquiring older Development Consultant.
Beneath the title was the name of a company that specialized in acquiring older residential properties.
Jordan looked up.
"Mom, are you selling Grandpa's house?""
Denise said nothing.
Samuel's voice residential properties.
Jordan looked up.
"Mom, are you selling Grandpa's house?""
Denise said nothing.
Samuel's voice was almost a whisper.
"Is that why you wanted the deed?""
She looked at both was almost a whisper.
"Is that why you wanted the deed?""
She looked at both of them.
Then she finally answered.
"The house is worth more than you think.""
Samuel gripped the edge of the table.
"How much?""
"Almost of them.
Then she finally answered.
"The house is worth more than you think.""
Samuel gripped the edge of the table.
"How much?""
"Almost eight hundred thousand dollars.""
Jordan stared at her.
"You're planning to sell it?""
"It's an opportunity eight hundred thousand dollars.""
Jordan stared at her.
"You're planning to sell it?""
"It's an opportunity.""
"For whom?""
Denise's silence answered him.
Samuel slowly sat down.
His.""
"For whom?""
Denise's silence answered him.
Samuel slowly sat down.
His daughter had been talking about protecting his future.
But she had already been discussing the price of his home.
Jordan's hands curled into fists.
daughter had been talking about protecting his future.
But she had already been discussing the price of his home.
Jordan's hands curled into fists.
"You're not getting it.""
Denise picked up her folder.
"That's not your decision.""
"He's my grandfather.""
"You're not getting it.""
Denise picked up her folder.
"That's not your decision.""
"He's my grandfather.""
"And I'm his daughter.""
Samuel looked at her.
"Then act like one.""
Denise flinched.
She turned"And I'm his daughter.""
Samuel looked at her.
"Then act like one.""
Denise flinched.
She turned toward the door.
"You'll regret making this difficult.""
Jordan followed her.
"Is that a threat?""
She stopped with toward the door.
"You'll regret making this difficult.""
Jordan followed her.
"Is that a threat?""
She stopped with her hand on the doorknob.
"No. It's a warning.""
Then she left.
The door slammed.
For several her hand on the doorknob.
"No. It's a warning.""
Then she left.
The door slammed.
For several minutes, neither Samuel nor Jordan moved.
Finally, Samuel whispered, "I never thought my own daughter would do this.""
Jordan sat beside him.
"I'm sorry, Grandpa.""
Samuel shook his head.
" minutes, neither Samuel nor Jordan moved.
Finally, Samuel whispered, "I never thought my own daughter would do this.""
Jordan sat beside him.
"I'm sorry, Grandpa.""
Samuel shook his head.
"Don't apologize for her.""
Jordan looked at the medals on the old uniform hanging beside the kitchen door.
ThenDon't apologize for her.""
Jordan looked at the medals on the old uniform hanging beside the kitchen door.
Then he noticed something tucked behind the frame.
A small brown envelope.
His grandfather followed his gaze.
"Oh," Samuel said quietly.
"I he noticed something tucked behind the frame.
A small brown envelope.
His grandfather followed his gaze.
"Oh," Samuel said quietly.
"I forgot about that.""
Jordan reached for it.
The envelope contained a photograph and a handwritten note.
forgot about that.""
Jordan reached for it.
The envelope contained a photograph and a handwritten note.
The photograph showed Samuel standing beside Daniel Reed.
But this time, there was a third man in the picture.
A younger Graham WhitmoreThe photograph showed Samuel standing beside Daniel Reed.
But this time, there was a third man in the picture.
A younger Graham Whitmore.
Jordan turned the photograph over.
On the back, someone had written:
March 1980. The three men who knew what really happened.
Jordan looked.
Jordan turned the photograph over.
On the back, someone had written:
March 1980. The three men who knew what really happened.
Jordan looked at his grandfather.
"Grandpa, why is Graham in this photograph at his grandfather.
"Grandpa, why is Graham in this photograph?""
Samuel stared at the image.
His face became completely still.
Then he whispered:
"Because Graham Whitmore was there the night we brought Daniel?""
Samuel stared at the image.
His face became completely still.
Then he whispered:
"Because Graham Whitmore was there the night we brought Daniel Reed home.""
He paused.
"And he was the reason we almost didn't make it.""
Reed home.""
May you like
He paused.
"And he was the reason we almost didn't make it.""
