Chapter 8 - The Paper They Thought Would Scare Me
The first thing I did was call Frank Dawson.
The second was call Margaret.
The third was make sure every door was locked.
Outside, Dad began pounding on the front door.
"Clara!"
His voice echoed through the hallway.
"I know you're in there."
Chloe stood beside the kitchen counter, trembling.
I held the phone against my ear.
Frank answered on the second ring.
"Everything all right, kiddo?"
"No."
I looked toward the front of the house.
"My father's here with two other men."
His tone changed immediately.
"Are you inside?"
"Yes."
"Doors locked?"
"Yes."
"Stay there."
He paused.
"I'm calling the sheriff."
Then he said, "I'll be at the road in a minute."
I hung up.
Margaret answered before the third ring.
"Clara?"
"My father came back."
She exhaled sharply.
"Are you safe?"
"Yes."
"Don't open the door."
"He's got an eviction notice."
There was a brief silence.
Then she said, "Describe it."
I moved carefully toward the front window.
Dad stood on the porch.
Victor Hale was beside him.
The third man remained near the SUV.
Dad pressed the paper against the glass.
"See this, Clara?"
He smiled.
"You've got one chance to make this easy."
I tried to read the document.
There was a logo.
A company name.
And a large heading.
NOTICE TO VACATE.
Margaret listened as I described it.
Then she asked, "Does it identify a court?"
I squinted.
"No."
"Does it contain a case number?"
"I don't see one."
"Then it isn't a court eviction order."
Dad pounded again.
"Clara!"
Margaret's voice remained calm.
"He's trying to intimidate you."
My pulse raced.
"Then why bring Victor?"
"Because he has an interest in the property."
"An interest?"
"Possibly a claimed contractual one."
The front porch creaked.
Victor stepped closer to Dad.
I could hear their voices through the door.
"This isn't what you promised," Victor said.
Dad snapped something back.
Victor's voice rose.
"I gave you until Friday."
My stomach dropped.
Friday.
That was two days away.
Margaret spoke through the phone.
"Clara, listen carefully."
"I'm listening."
"If anyone attempts to enter, call emergency services immediately."
"I will."
"And do not debate the documents with them."
I looked toward the hallway.
Chloe had followed me.
She looked terrified.
I whispered, "My sister's here."
Margaret was silent for a moment.
"Is she helping you?"
"I think so."
"Then stay together."
The pounding stopped.
For several seconds, everything was quiet.
Then Dad called through the door.
"Clara, Victor's an investor."
I didn't answer.
"He has legal documents."
Still nothing.
"We can handle this as adults."
That almost made me laugh.
He'd spent seventeen years treating me like a problem that could be dropped at someone else's doorstep.
Now he wanted to handle things as adults.
Victor said something quietly.
Dad turned.
"She's being difficult."
Then Victor stepped toward the door.
"Miss Bennett?"
His voice was deep.
Controlled.
Nothing like Dad's shouting.
"My name is Victor Hale."
I remained silent.
"I believe your father has misrepresented certain facts to me."
Dad snapped, "Victor."
The man continued.
"I'm not here to harm you."
I looked toward Chloe.
She shook her head desperately.
I stayed quiet.
Victor sighed.
"I'd appreciate the opportunity to discuss a business matter."
I spoke without unlocking the door.
"You can contact my attorney."
A pause.
Then he asked, "Margaret Whitcomb?"
"Yes."
Victor went silent.
Dad turned toward him.
"You know her?"
Victor didn't answer immediately.
Then he said, "I know of her."
Something about his tone changed.
I could hear it even through the door.
The confidence had thinned.
Dad spoke quickly.
"She's trying to turn Clara against me."
Victor ignored him.
"Miss Bennett, did Samuel Bennett place this property in trust?"
"Yes."
I heard Victor swear under his breath.
Dad stepped toward him.
"That doesn't change anything."
Victor rounded on him.
"That's exactly what it changes."
I exchanged a look with Chloe.
Outside, Victor's voice rose.
"You told me you were inheriting it personally."
"I am."
"Your daughter is the beneficiary?"
"She's young."
"That wasn't my question."
Dad said nothing.
Victor stepped back.
"Robert, you assured me the transfer was certain."
"It is."
"How?"
Dad's voice sharpened.
"I told you I'd handle it."
Victor laughed.
A short, angry sound.
"You asked me to advance money against an asset you don't own."
Chloe covered her mouth.
I stood still.
Dad lowered his voice.
"Victor, we're partners."
"No."
Victor's answer came immediately.
"We have a contract."
The word seemed to hang in the air.
Contract.
Dad had signed away something that was never his.
I heard footsteps on the porch.
Then another voice.
"Evening, gentlemen."
Frank.
I nearly cried with relief.
"Something I can help you with?"
Dad snapped, "This is a private family matter."
Frank answered evenly.
"Funny."
"I was under the impression that Clara lives here."
"She's my daughter."
"And?"
"She's refusing to let me inside."
Frank was quiet for a moment.
Then he said, "Sounds like you got your answer."
Victor cleared his throat.
"Sir, I'm here concerning a contractual dispute."
"Then I suggest you take it to your attorneys."
Another pause.
A car approached.
Gravel crunched.
Blue and red lights flashed against the hallway wall.
I closed my eyes.
Two sheriff's deputies climbed out of a patrol car.
Through the window, I saw one speak to Frank.
The other approached the porch.
Dad immediately began explaining.
He gestured toward the house.
Then the paperwork.
Then the driveway.
His movements grew more animated.
Victor stepped aside.
The deputy knocked once.
"Miss Bennett?"
I approached the door.
"Yes?"
"This is Deputy Harris with the Briar County Sheriff's Office."
"Can I see your badge through the window?"
"Of course."
He held it up.
I looked carefully.
Then opened the door with the security chain still attached.
The deputy looked at me kindly.
"Ma'am, are you okay?"
"Yes."
"Do you live here?"
"Yes."
"Is this your property?"
"It's owned by a trust."
I swallowed.
"I'm the beneficiary."
He nodded.
"Do you want these gentlemen to leave?"
I looked past him.
Dad stared at me.
Mom wasn't there.
Victor stood beside the railing, looking increasingly unhappy.
The third man remained by the SUV.
"Yes," I said.
The deputy turned.
"All right, gentlemen."
Dad exploded.
"This is unbelievable!"
The deputy remained calm.
"Sir, you're being asked to leave."
"This is my family home!"
"That doesn't authorize you to enter against the resident's wishes."
Dad pointed at me.
"She doesn't know what she's doing."
The deputy's expression didn't change.
"Sir, I need you to step off the porch."
Dad hesitated.
For a terrible moment, I thought he might refuse.
Then Victor touched his arm.
"Robert."
Dad jerked away.
Victor leaned closer and said something I couldn't hear.
Whatever it was, Dad went pale.
He walked down the steps.
Victor remained behind.
"Miss Bennett?"
I looked at him.
He spoke carefully.
"I intend to contact your attorney tomorrow."
"Fine."
"I also intend to provide her with copies of the documents your father gave me."
That caught my attention.
"What documents?"
Victor glanced toward Dad.
"Documents representing that he had authority to transfer this property."
My chest tightened.
"Are they real?"
Victor looked straight at me.
"That's what I'd like to find out."
Then he walked toward the SUV.
A deputy remained on the porch while the vehicles departed.
Frank stood beside his truck across the driveway.
Chloe finally exhaled.
I closed the door.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then Chloe whispered, "I thought he was going to come inside."
I leaned against the wall.
"Me too."
She began crying.
Not dramatically.
Not for attention.
She simply folded in on herself.
I took a hesitant step toward her.
Then another.
And for the first time in my life, I hugged my sister.
She held on tightly.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
I closed my eyes.
I wasn't ready to forgive her.
But I didn't let go.
We stood there until my phone buzzed.
A message from Margaret.
I HAVE JUST SPOKEN WITH VICTOR HALE'S ATTORNEY.
A second message appeared.
ROBERT PROVIDED HIM WITH A DOCUMENT BEARING SAMUEL'S SIGNATURE.
Then a third.
THE SIGNATURE IS DATED SIX DAYS AFTER YOUR GRANDFATHER DIED.
I stared at the screen.
A signature from a dead man.
May you like
And suddenly, the dispute over Grandpa's house wasn't just a family argument.
It was potentially a crime.
