Chapter 4 - The Signature
Dad put the call on speaker.
A woman from Lakeshore Community Bank spoke with the careful tone people use when they know someone may explode.
“Mr. Morgan, we’re verifying an online application for a home-equity line of credit in the amount of one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars.”
Mom gripped his shoulder.
“We never applied for that.”
The banker continued. “The application includes both homeowners’ names and electronic signatures.”
Dad looked at Vanessa.
She backed toward the door.
“I don’t know anything about it.”
I did not believe her.
Neither did Dad.
“What email is on the application?” he asked.
The woman read it.
Vanessa’s husband’s business account.
Mom gasped.
Vanessa started talking too quickly.
“Okay, okay, Daniel was helping Dad compare rates. That’s all. It’s probably a preapproval thing.”
Dad’s jaw clenched.
“I never asked Daniel to compare rates.”
“Maybe you mentioned it.”
“I did not.”
Mom turned to her favorite daughter as if she had never seen her before.
“Vanessa?”
Vanessa looked at me instead.
And I knew instantly what she was going to do.
“This is Rachel’s fault.”
I actually smiled.
“Impressive.”
“She started all this by hiding the cruise and playing games with everybody.”
“Did I forge Dad’s signature too?”
“I didn’t forge anything!”
The banker interrupted.
“Mr. Morgan, I recommend we freeze the application and place an identity alert on the property record. We will also preserve the submission data.”
“Do it,” Dad said.
Vanessa lunged forward.
“Wait.”
Everyone looked at her.
She stopped.
That one word was enough.
Dad stepped closer.
“Why wait?”
Vanessa’s eyes filled with tears on command.
“Daniel’s company has been struggling.”
Mom’s hand flew to her mouth.
“How much?”
Vanessa shook her head.
“I don’t know.”
“Try again,” I said.
She glared at me.
“Stay out of it.”
“You used my credit card on a cruise and apparently your husband used our parents’ house for a loan. I’m already in it.”
Lily stood beside my car, staring at the adults.
I hated that she was hearing any of this.
I crouched beside her.
“Sweetheart, get in and start your audiobook, okay?”
“Are Grandma and Grandpa in trouble?”
“They’re figuring something out.”
She hesitated.
“Did Aunt Vanessa do something bad?”
I looked at her.
“I don’t know yet.”
That was the truth.
But only barely.
Once Lily shut the door, Dad stepped toward Vanessa.
“How much money does Daniel owe?”
She whispered something.
“What?”
“Eighty thousand.”
Mom staggered back.
Then Vanessa added, “That’s what he told me.”
Dad’s phone chimed.
An email from the bank had arrived with the application documents attached.
He opened the first page.
Mom’s electronic signature was there.
Dad’s was there.
May you like
And under “purpose of loan,” four words changed the entire afternoon.
BUSINESS DEBT CONSOLIDATION - PIERCE.
