Chapter 7: The Woman Who Had Been Watching Her
“Your mother photographed my driver's license at Thanksgiving.””
Nadine's voice was steady, but Leon could hear the anger underneath it.
He stood beside the hotel window, staring at the Atlantic Ocean.
“I remember Thanksgiving,” he said.
“She borrowed your purse because she said she needed your reading glasses.””
“She didn't need my glasses. She asked me to bring her handbag from the guest bedroom. When I came back, my purse was sitting on the kitchen counter.””
Leon closed his eyes.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I didn't know she'd taken a photograph until Denise found the document.””
He rubbed his forehead.
“Did you report it?””
“Denise is handling that. She's also contacting the title company to preserve every document submitted in connection with our property.””
Leon looked at the papers on the desk.
“Can I come see you?””
“No.””
“Please, Nadine.””
“I need you to understand something. I'm not going to spend another night explaining why I deserve to be treated like your wife.””
He swallowed.
“I understand.””
“Then act like it.””
The call ended.
Leon lowered his phone.
Camille stood near the bathroom doorway, holding the printed document.
“She's right,” she said.
Leon looked at his sister.
“About what?””
“About you needing to act. You've spent years letting Mom decide what everybody else should tolerate.””
Leon sat down.
Camille placed the document on the desk.
“I need to tell you something else.””
He looked up.
“What?””
“Mom has been talking about this house since you bought it.””
Leon frowned.
“What do you mean?””
“At Christmas, she told Aunt Denise that you and Nadine were going to help her move closer to you.””
“We never agreed to that.””
“I know. But she said the house had enough bedrooms for her to stay whenever she wanted.””
Leon shook his head.
“She has her own house.””
“Apparently, she thinks that house should become yours eventually.””
He stared at her.
“Did she tell you that?””
Camille nodded.
“She said she wanted to sell her place, use the money to pay off some debts, and then move into your house.””
Leon leaned forward.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I thought it was just something she was dreaming about. I didn't realize she was trying to make it happen.””
His phone vibrated.
A message from Marcus.
*MARCUS: Mom says you're making a mess. Call me before you do something stupid.*
Leon didn't reply.
Instead, he opened the family group chat.
It was filled with photographs from previous holidays, birthday celebrations, and family dinners.
He scrolled back to Thanksgiving.
There was a photograph of Nadine standing in the kitchen, laughing with Patrice.
Another showed Patrice holding Nadine's purse.
Leon enlarged it.
His mother was holding the bag open.
The picture had been taken by Camille.
He looked at his sister.
“Did you take this?””
Camille nodded.
“Mom asked me to photograph her with the gift Nadine bought her. I didn't notice the purse.””
Leon zoomed in on the image.
The purse was open.
Inside, Nadine's driver's license was visible.
He felt sick.
“Mom planned this.””
Camille didn't answer.
A knock sounded at the door.
Leon stood.
When he opened it, Patrice walked in without waiting for an invitation.
She was carrying a paper shopping bag and wearing a fresh outfit.
“Why aren't you downstairs?”” she asked.
“I told Camille we were going to dinner.””
Leon looked at her.
“Mom, we need to talk.””
Patrice placed the shopping bag on the chair.
“Not another lecture.””
“Did you take Nadine's driver's license?””
Patrice froze for half a second.
Then she laughed.
“What a ridiculous question.””
“Did you?””
“I don't remember.””
“You photographed it?””
Patrice's expression changed.
“Why are you accusing me of stealing?””
“Because somebody used a copy of her license on a document she never signed.””
Patrice looked at Camille.
“You told him?””
Camille's mouth fell open.
“Mom!””
Patrice waved her hand.
“Don't act innocent. You were the one taking pictures that day.””
Leon stepped between them.
“Stop. Just answer me.””
Patrice sighed.
“Marcus asked me for some information. He was trying to prepare the paperwork.””
“What paperwork?””
“Your estate documents.””
“Why did Nadine's name appear on an authorization she never signed?””
Patrice looked away.
“I don't know anything about that.””
Leon picked up his phone.
“Then you'll have no problem explaining it to the attorney.””
Patrice's face hardened.
“Attorney? You're going to bring lawyers into this?””
“Yes.””
“You would rather trust strangers than your own mother?””
Leon stared at her.
“You used my wife's identity.””
“I was protecting you!””
“From what?””
“From losing everything!””
Patrice's voice rose.
“You think women stay forever? Your father left me. I spent years trying to rebuild my life. I won't let you make the same mistake.””
Leon took a slow breath.
“Dad leaving you doesn't give you the right to take my wife's property.””
Patrice looked genuinely offended.
“Take? Nobody is taking anything. We were trying to put things where they belong.””
“And where do you think they belong?””
“In the family.””
Leon shook his head.
“Nadine is the family.””
Patrice stared at him.
Then she reached for her handbag.
“You'll regret speaking to me this way.””
She walked toward the door.
Before leaving, she turned around.
“Marcus has copies of everything. If you go against him, you'll destroy this family.””
Leon replied quietly.
“Maybe you should have thought about that before involving forged signatures.””
Patrice slammed the door.
For several seconds, the room was silent.
Camille finally spoke.
“She just admitted she knew about the paperwork.””
Leon nodded.
“Did you record that?””
Camille looked at her phone.
The recording icon was still visible.
She had started recording when Patrice entered.
Leon stared at the screen.
“Save it. Don't edit it. Send a copy to Denise.””
Camille nodded.
Then Leon's phone rang.
It was Marcus.
He answered and put the call on speaker.
“What?”” Leon asked.
Marcus sounded furious.
“Mom says you're accusing her of fraud.””
“I'm asking why you submitted documents with Nadine's forged signature.””
Marcus laughed.
“You need to calm down.””
“Answer the question.””
“Listen, the paperwork is already with the title company. You can't just change your mind because your wife is throwing a tantrum.””
Leon looked at Camille.
“Did you forge her signature?””
Marcus went silent.
Then he said something that made Leon's blood run cold.
“I didn't need to. Mom had a sample.””
Leon gripped the phone.
“Are you admitting you used it?””
“I'm saying we had everything we needed.””
“Marcus—”
“And if you want to make this ugly, remember that I have the original documents you signed.””
The call ended.
Leon stood motionless.
Camille slowly sat down.
“What are we going to do?””
Leon looked at the closed hotel door.
Then at the document on the desk.
“We're going to tell the truth.””
But before he could call Denise Carter, an email appeared on his screen.
It was from the title company.
*Subject: PROPERTY TRANSFER REVIEW — ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED.*
And the attachment contained a new page.
May you like
A page that showed Patrice had already been listed as the proposed trustee.
The date of the proposed transfer was only two days away.
