Chapter 7: My Mother's Signature
Denise arrived at Samuel's house the following afternoon.
She didn't knock.
She used the spare key she had kept for emergencies.
Jordan heard the lock turn while he was sitting at the kitchen table with Colonel Reed's attorney on speakerphone.
"Mom?""
Denise walked into the room.
"Turn that off.""
Jordan looked at her.
"I'm on a call.""
"I said turn it off.""
Samuel appeared from the hallway.
"Denise, what's wrong?""
She dropped her purse onto the table.
"What's wrong is that you're involving strangers in private family matters.""
Jordan ended the call.
"Colonel Reed is not a stranger.""
"He is a military officer. This is not a military investigation.""
"He's helping Grandpa.""
"Your grandfather doesn't need help.""
Samuel looked at her.
"Then why did you file paperwork saying I couldn't manage my own affairs?""
Denise's expression tightened.
"I already explained that.""
"No, you didn't.""
She took a breath.
"Fine. I was concerned.""
"About what?""
"Your memory.""
Samuel frowned.
"My memory?""
"You forget things.""
"Such as?""
"Appointments. Conversations. Where you put things.""
Jordan stepped forward.
"That's not a reason to have him declared incapable.""
Denise turned toward him.
"Would you stop pretending you know everything?""
"No. Not when you're lying.""
She slapped her palm against the table.
"Watch yourself, Jordan.""
Samuel raised one hand.
"Denise, please.""
She looked at her father.
"Dad, I came here because Graham wants to resolve this peacefully.""
Samuel stared at her.
"Why is Graham involved in my property?""
"He's helping me.""
"With what?""
"Your future.""
Samuel shook his head.
"I've told you I don't want to sell this house.""
Denise opened her folder.
"That's because you don't understand what it's worth.""
"I know exactly what it's worth.""
"Then you know keeping it makes no sense.""
Jordan pulled out the property document.
"Mom, why did you sign Grandpa's name?""
She stared at the paper.
"I didn't forge anything.""
"The county says the signature doesn't match.""
"Because your grandfather signed different versions of the paperwork.""
Samuel shook his head.
"I signed one document. It was supposed to let you help with the taxes.""
Denise's face hardened.
"You signed what I gave you.""
"And I trusted you.""
She looked away.
Jordan noticed something.
A second folder was sticking out of her purse.
He recognized the logo.
It belonged to Graham Whitmore's property company.
"What's that?""
Denise quickly zipped her purse.
"Nothing.""
"Let me see it.""
"No.""
"Why?""
"Because it doesn't concern you.""
Jordan stepped closer.
"Does it concern Grandpa's house?""
Denise grabbed her purse.
"Enough!""
Samuel stood.
"Denise.""
She turned toward him.
"What?""
"Did you promise Graham that you would sell this house?""
Her expression changed.
She didn't answer.
Samuel nodded slowly.
"I see.""
Denise's voice cracked.
"Dad, you don't understand the situation.""
"Then explain it.""
She sat down.
For the first time, her anger seemed to collapse under its own weight.
"I borrowed money.""
Jordan frowned.
"How much?""
"That's not important.""
"How much, Mom?""
Denise looked at him.
"Two hundred and eighty thousand dollars.""
Samuel slowly lowered himself into a chair.
"Why?""
"Your father left debts.""
Jordan stared.
"Grandpa?""
"No. Your father.""
Jordan's biological father had disappeared when he was eight. Denise had always said he left because he couldn't handle responsibility.
"What debts?""
Denise rubbed her eyes.
"He had business problems. Creditors kept coming after me. I refinanced the house.
Then I borrowed more to pay the first loan. Eventually, I got behind.""
Jordan stared at her.
"Why didn't you tell us?""
"Because I was ashamed.""
Samuel's face softened.
"Denise, you could have come to me.""
She laughed bitterly.
"You were always struggling yourself.""
"I would have found a way.""
"That's exactly what I didn't want!""
She looked at her father.
"I didn't want another lecture about sacrifice. I wanted a solution.""
Jordan glanced at the folder.
"And Graham offered one?""
Denise nodded.
"He said he could buy the property, settle my debt, and leave enough money for me to start over.""
Samuel looked devastated.
"You offered him my house?""
"I thought it would solve everything.""
"Without asking me?""
"You wouldn't have agreed!""
"Because it's my home!""
His voice echoed through the kitchen.
Denise flinched.
Samuel took a breath.
"Your mother and I built this place. We brought you home here. We celebrated your birthday here. I sat beside your bed when you had pneumonia.""
Denise looked down.
"I remember.""
"Then how could you do this?""
She began crying.
But Jordan wasn't ready to comfort her.
"Mom, Graham isn't just buying a house. He's using you.""
Denise shook her head.
"You don't know him.""
"Grandpa does.""
She looked at Samuel.
He nodded.
"I knew him a long time ago.""
Denise stood abruptly.
"I don't care what happened thirty years ago. Graham has helped me when nobody else would.""
"Did he tell you about Daniel Reed?"" Samuel asked.
She froze.
"What?""
"Did he tell you that he abandoned a group of soldiers and left them to die?""
Denise looked confused.
"That's impossible.""
"Ask him.""
She shook her head.
"No. You're making things up.""
Samuel reached into the drawer and removed the photograph.
He placed it on the table.
Denise stared at the three young men.
Then she looked at Graham.
Her lips parted.
"That's him?""
"Yes.""
"Why didn't he tell me?""
Samuel's voice was quiet.
"Perhaps because he knew you wouldn't trust him.""
Denise picked up the photograph.
For several seconds, she studied it.
Then her phone vibrated.
A message appeared.
Jordan caught a glimpse of it.
*Graham: You need to get the original deed tonight. If your father starts talking to the colonel, we're finished.*
Denise quickly locked the screen.
Jordan stared at her.
"What does he mean by the original deed?""
She said nothing.
Samuel stood.
"Denise, give me the phone.""
"No.""
"Please.""
She stepped backward.
Jordan moved toward her.
"Mom, what else have you signed?""
Her eyes filled with tears.
Then she whispered:
"I signed a purchase agreement.""
Samuel went still.
"For my house?""
She nodded.
"When?""
"Three weeks ago.""
"How much?""
"Eight hundred thousand.""
Jordan's voice shook.
"And where is the money?""
Denise covered her mouth.
"I haven't received it.""
"Then what did you sign?""
She looked at them.
And for the first time, her voice sounded genuinely frightened.
"I guaranteed Graham that the property would be transferred by Friday.""
Samuel looked at the calendar on the wall.
It was Thursday.
He slowly turned toward his daughter.
"Denise, what happens if the house isn't transferred?""
She began crying harder.
"Graham says he'll make sure I pay.""
"How?""
She looked at Jordan.
Then she whispered:
"He said he has people who can make our lives very difficult.""
Before anyone could respond, headlights swept across the kitchen window.
A black SUV stopped outside.
A man stepped out.
Samuel recognized him immediately.
May you like
Graham Whitmore.
And he wasn't alone.
