Chapter 4 - The Signature
David opened the envelope beneath the porch light.
Inside were certified copies of a recently filed quitclaim deed and a mortgage application using the house as collateral.
Colin had attempted to transfer Lauren’s ownership interest into a new marital trust he controlled.
The signature beside Lauren’s name was forged.
The filing triggered an alert because David had placed a title-monitoring service on the property after Lauren’s grandfather’s estate closed. It was a precaution Lauren had forgotten existed.
David had been trying to reach her for two days.
Colin looked toward the street.
“This is a misunderstanding.”
David handed Lauren the certified copy.
“Did you sign this?”
“No.”
Brooke stepped farther from Colin.
“You told me the refinance was approved.”
Lauren looked at her.
“He was refinancing my house?”
Colin’s composure began cracking.
“We needed liquidity.”
“For what?”
He did not answer.
David did.
“The application requests three hundred twenty thousand dollars.”
Lauren felt Piper’s weight against her chest.
Colin had not simply planned to move Brooke in.
He planned to take equity from the home, remove Lauren’s legal control, and leave her responsible for a debt she never authorized.
The same day he packed Piper’s backpack, he had submitted the final documents.
Brooke whispered, “You said that money was for our new business.”
Lauren turned toward her.
“Our?”
Colin glared at Brooke.
David placed the envelope against his chest.
May you like
“This document has already been flagged for suspected fraud.”
The house Colin believed he controlled had told on him before Lauren reached the porch.
