Chapter 6 - WHAT RYAN SIGNED
Teresa met us in her downtown office, where the blinds were closed against the afternoon glare. My shoulder was strapped in a sling. I felt sixty-two going on ninety.
She compared Ryan's electronic signature with the letter from Weller Development.
“This is a preliminary access agreement,” she said. “It isn't a deed and it doesn't transfer your mother's land. But it could make a buyer think the family supports development.”
Ryan rubbed his forehead. “I thought it was for pictures.”
“The cover page says photography,” Teresa replied. “The attachment you weren't shown says site surveys, commercial planning, and buyer reliance.”
“Can we stop it?”
“We can challenge your consent immediately.”
Then Teresa opened another document. It carried what looked like my initials beside a clause granting temporary construction access.
I stared at the curling M and C. They were close to mine but too even, as if someone had practiced on a sheet of paper.
“I didn't sign that.”
Teresa enlarged the notary stamp. The name read KAYLA HILL.
“Do you know her?” she asked.
“No.”
June, who had come to drive us, took one look at the date. “Marissa, that was the Thursday I brought you home from physical therapy. You couldn't even hold a pen.”
Ryan's face drained.
Teresa printed the page and put it in a separate folder. “We are not accusing anyone without evidence. First we find out who presented this for notarization.”
May you like
On our way home, a black SUV followed us through three turns. June deliberately circled the grocery store lot.
The SUV circled too.
