Chapter 2 - THE SIGNATURE THAT WASN'T MINE

I read the mortgage three times.

The loan had been opened sixteen months earlier against the house I had purchased before marrying Ryan.

My signature was on every page.

Almost.

“You’re awake?”

“So are you.”

“I was hoping I was reading this incorrectly.”

“You’re not.”

She explained that the loan had gone through a private lender tied to a development company called Blackridge Capital.

The money did not go into our household account.

It went into an LLC.

Ryan Carter Holdings.

My husband, who worked three shifts a week selling cars, apparently had a holding company.

“Can you freeze anything?”

“Already filed emergency notices with the lender and county recorder. But, Grace, there’s more.”

“What?”

“Your military retirement projections are attached to the loan package.”

My stomach tightened.

“Where did they get them?”

“That’s what we need to learn.”

I closed the laptop.

Behind me, the kitchen light came on.

Ryan stood in the doorway.

He saw my shaved head and smiled faintly.

“You finally look serious.”

I minimized the file.

“Couldn’t sleep.”

“Big day tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

“You’ll tell them you’re stepping down?”

“I’ll tell them exactly what they need to know.”

He walked closer.

“You know Mom only did what she did because she loves us.”

“No, Ryan.”

My voice stayed calm.

“She did it because she believed there would be no consequences.”

His face changed.

Just slightly.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing.”

I stood.

“I have to report at six.”

He stared.

“I thought you were resigning.”

“I said I was going to focus on family.”

“That’s not the same thing.”

“No.”

“It isn’t.”

Ryan reached for my arm.

I looked at his hand.

He released me.

At the front door, Linda appeared in her robe.

“Where are you going?”

“To work.”

Her mouth fell open.

“You lied.”

I turned.

“No, Linda. You assumed.”

Then I left.

At 5:47 a.m., Sarah texted again.

The forged mortgage was not the only document.

Someone had also attempted to change the beneficiary on my life-insurance policy.

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The new beneficiary was Ryan.

The backup beneficiary was Linda.