Chapter 5: The Woman Who Had Been Inside My House
I drove home faster than I should have.
Every red light felt like a personal insult.
I called Nia three times before she answered.
"I'm here," she said.
"Are the doors locked?""
"Yes.""
"Stay away from the windows.""
"Marcus, you're scaring me.""
"I know. Just do what I'm asking.""
When I pulled into the driveway, I noticed something strange.
The front door was closed, but the porch light was on.
I had switched it off before leaving.
I took the spare key from my pocket and entered.
"Nia?""
"I'm in here.""
She was sitting at the kitchen table with a blanket over her shoulders.
A mug of tea sat untouched in front of her.
I checked the back door, the windows, and the hallway before approaching her.
"Did you see anyone?""
"No. I heard the doorbell. Then someone knocked.""
"What did he look like?""
"Mid-thirties, maybe. Dark jacket. He had a folder.""
"Did he leave anything?""
Nia pointed toward the counter.
A white envelope lay beside the fruit bowl.
I picked it up.
There was no return address.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
*FINAL OPPORTUNITY TO RESOLVE THE MATTER PRIVATELY.*
Beneath it was a typed message.
Mrs. Carter, you have until Friday to cooperate with the transfer arrangements. Failure to do so may expose your involvement in the unauthorized withdrawal of your daughter's inheritance.
I read it twice.
Then I looked at Nia.
"They're threatening you.""
She nodded.
"I don't understand why they keep saying I stole the money. I didn't.""
I sat beside her.
"Daniel believes someone has been using your name.""
She stared at me.
"Daniel Whitmore?""
"Yes.""
"Did he tell you about the woman?""
I frowned.
"What woman?""
Nia swallowed.
"Vanessa.""
I put the envelope down.
"Tell me everything.""
Nia rubbed her stomach.
"Vanessa started visiting Brielle about two years ago. At first, I liked her. She was polite, helpful, and always seemed to know how to make Brielle laugh.""
"Was she involved with Caleb?""
"I didn't know it at the time.""
"And now?""
"About six months ago, I heard them talking in the garage. Vanessa was telling Brielle that her father had left her more money than I was admitting.""
I leaned forward.
"What did you do?""
"I confronted her. She said she was only helping Brielle understand her inheritance.""
"Did you tell Brielle?""
"Yes. She accused me of being jealous.""
I exhaled.
"Why would she think that?""
"Because Vanessa told her I wanted to keep the money for the baby.""
I stared at my wife.
That explained the resentment.
The accusations.
The constant complaints about Nia receiving attention during her pregnancy.
But it didn't explain the forged deed.
"Did Vanessa ever have access to your documents?""
Nia nodded.
"She helped me organize paperwork when I was sick last winter.""
"What paperwork?""
"Insurance forms. Tax records. Some documents from Ethan's estate.""
My blood ran cold.
"Did you give her your passwords?""
"No. But she used my laptop once to print something.""
I stood and walked to the counter.
"Do you remember when?""
"Maybe three months ago.""
I looked at the white envelope.
Three months ago.
That was around the same time the financial problems began.
My phone rang.
The caller ID displayed Brielle's name.
I answered.
"What?""
"Marcus, I need to talk to Mom.""
"She's not available.""
"Put her on.""
"Not until you tell me where Vanessa is.""
Silence.
Then Brielle said, "Why?""
"Because she's been sending threats to your mother.""
"Vanessa wouldn't do that.""
"How do you know?""
"Because she's my friend.""
I glanced at Nia.
"Your friend was in our house last night while your pregnant mother was cleaning the floor.""
"She didn't make Mom clean.""
"Then who did?""
Brielle exhaled sharply.
"Look, I know things got out of hand, but you don't understand the pressure I'm under.""
"Who is pressuring you?""
"Nobody.""
"Then why are you trying to transfer my house?""
She went quiet.
I heard a door close on her end.
Then she whispered, "Because I need the money.""
"Why?""
"I can't tell you.""
"Try.""
She began crying.
For the first time, her voice sounded less angry than frightened.
"Vanessa said everything would be fine. She said the loan would be approved, the trust would be restored, and nobody would get hurt.""
I felt my pulse quicken.
"What loan?""
"The one against the house.""
"Did you know the application used my forged signature?""
She didn't answer.
"Brielle!""
"I didn't sign your name!""
"Did you know someone else did?""
Silence.
Then she said, "Vanessa told me it was temporary.""
I closed my eyes.
"Where is she now?""
"I don't know.""
"You're lying.""
"I'm not!""
"Then tell me the last place you saw her.""
Brielle hesitated.
"At the hotel near the airport.""
"Which hotel?""
"Marcus, please. Don't go looking for her.""
"Why?""
Her voice dropped.
"Because Caleb is with her.""
The call ended.
I stared at my phone.
Nia had heard everything.
"Caleb and Vanessa are working together," she whispered.
"Apparently.""
She looked frightened.
"Marcus, there's something else.""
I turned toward her.
"What?""
"When Vanessa helped me with the paperwork, she asked me to sign several blank forms.""
My stomach tightened.
"Did you?""
"I thought they were authorization forms for the trust. She said the bank needed them.""
"Did you sign?""
Nia covered her face.
"Yes.""
I sat down slowly.
"How many?""
"Three, maybe four.""
I tried to control my breathing.
"Did you read them?""
"Not carefully. I was taking medication after my pregnancy complications, and she kept telling me it was routine.""
I took her hand.
"Listen to me. Whatever you signed, we're going to find out what it was. But you cannot sign anything else.""
She nodded.
Then my phone vibrated again.
A text from Brielle.
*I found something in Vanessa's car. You need to see it before Caleb does.*
A second message followed.
*It's about my father.*
I looked at Nia.
"She's asking us to meet.""
Nia shook her head.
"It's a trap.""
"Maybe.""
"Marcus, please.""
I glanced at the photograph Daniel had shown me.
Caleb standing beside Ethan's hospital bed.
The handwritten warning.
The missing inheritance.
The fraudulent loan.
I couldn't ignore the possibility that Brielle was involved more deeply than she admitted.
But she was still Nia's daughter.
And if someone was using her desperation to manipulate her, I needed to know.
I typed one question.
*Where are you?*
Her reply came immediately.
*Parking garage, Level 3. Come alone.*
I stared at the screen.
May you like
Then another message appeared.
*And Marcus? Don't tell Mom. Vanessa has been watching her.*
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