Chapter 6: The Signature That Wasn't His
Reggie read the document again.
Then he read it a third time.
"I never signed this.""
Amara pulled out her phone and photographed the screen.
"Who sent it?""
Reggie checked the message.
The number was unfamiliar.
There was no name.
Only a short message beneath the photograph.
You need to know what Sabrina is planning before Monday.
Amara looked at her father.
"Call the bank.""
"Right now?""
"Yes. We can't wait.""
Reggie walked into the office and called Mr. Collins.
Amara remained in the dining room, studying the photograph.
The signature appeared convincing.
The date was three weeks old.
The amount wasn't specified, but the instruction referred to all available reserves.
That could mean tens of thousands of dollars.
The restaurant had been saving money for a kitchen renovation and an emergency operating fund.
If that money disappeared, the business could struggle to pay suppliers and employees.
Reggie returned ten minutes later.
"The bank has placed a temporary hold on the scheduled transfer.""
Amara exhaled.
"Good.""
"But they need us to file a formal dispute.""
"Then we'll do that.""
Reggie looked at the document.
"They said the authorization came from an approved administrator account.""
"Which means Sabrina?""
"Possibly.""
Amara frowned.
"Did they verify your signature?""
"They said the form was submitted electronically, but the authorization included a scanned signature attachment.""
She looked at him.
"Where would she get a copy of your signature?""
Reggie didn't answer.
Then he looked toward the office.
His desk.
His filing cabinet.
His personal business records.
Amara understood.
"She had access to your documents.""
Reggie nodded slowly.
"I gave her access when we got married.""
He walked into the office and opened the bottom drawer of his desk.
Inside were folders containing insurance records, tax documents, business registrations, and copies of his driver's license.
He pulled out a folder labeled *BANKING*.
Several papers were missing.
Reggie stared at the empty plastic sleeves.
"Some of these were here last month.""
Amara stepped closer.
"What?""
"My old signature cards. Copies of my identification. The original account authorization paperwork.""
He sat down heavily.
"She said she was organizing everything.""
Amara looked at the drawer.
"Did you ever give her permission to submit documents on your behalf?""
"No.""
He rubbed his face.
"I thought I was letting my wife help me.""
The office door opened.
Sabrina walked in.
She was carrying two coffees.
Her expression brightened when she saw them.
"Good. You're both here.""
Neither responded.
She placed one coffee in front of Reggie.
"Your favorite. Black, no sugar.""
He didn't touch it.
Sabrina glanced at the papers.
"What's all this?""
Amara turned her phone toward her.
Sabrina looked at the photograph.
Her fingers tightened around her handbag.
"Where did you get that?""
"Someone sent it to us," Amara replied.
Sabrina set down her coffee.
"This is ridiculous.""
Reggie stood.
"Did you submit this authorization?""
"No.""
"Did you sign my name?""
"Absolutely not.""
"Then explain why there's a document instructing the bank to transfer the restaurant reserves to your company.""
Sabrina looked directly at him.
"Maybe somebody is trying to frame me.""
Amara nodded.
"That's possible. So we're going to let the bank investigate.""
Sabrina's face hardened.
"You don't get to decide that.""
"Actually, I do have ownership authority.""
"Stop hiding behind that document!""
Reggie stepped between them.
"Enough. Sabrina, I need you to answer one question.""
She crossed her arms.
"Fine.""
"Did you take my banking documents out of this drawer?""
Her silence lasted just a little too long.
Then she said, "I moved them because this office is a mess.""
"Where are they?""
"I don't know.""
"Where did you put them?""
"I said I don't know!""
Reggie stared at her.
"Those are my personal documents.""
"And I'm your wife!""
The words echoed through the office.
Sabrina's eyes filled.
She took a step backward.
"I cannot believe you're treating me like this.""
Reggie shook his head.
"I'm asking you a question.""
"You've been listening to Amara all morning. She's been trying to destroy our marriage since the day we met.""
Amara looked at her father.
"That's not true.""
Sabrina pointed at her.
"You never wanted him to be happy.""
"Mom died five years before you met Dad.""
"Exactly. You think nobody can ever take her place.""
Amara's expression tightened.
"This isn't about my mother.""
"Everything with you is about your mother!""
Reggie slammed his hand against the desk.
"Stop bringing Denise into this!""
Sabrina fell silent.
He looked at her with an expression Amara had never seen before.
"Denise built this restaurant with me. Amara grew up here. Neither of them owes you anything.""
Sabrina shook her head.
"I gave up a lot to be with you.""
"What did you give up?""
She stared at him.
"My life. My time. My opportunities.""
Reggie looked at the paperwork.
"And what did you take?""
Sabrina's mouth tightened.
She picked up her coffee.
Then she walked out.
This time, Reggie didn't call her back.
For the next hour, they documented everything.
Amara printed the original transaction history.
Reggie submitted a written dispute.
They changed the restaurant's administrative passwords and contacted the bank about securing the account.
They also scheduled an appointment with a business attorney for Monday morning.
But just as Amara thought they had finally gained control of the situation, the front door opened.
A tall Black woman in her early forties entered carrying a large envelope.
She wore a navy blazer and held a leather briefcase.
"Mr. Johnson?""
Reggie looked up.
"Yes?""
"My name is Danielle Brooks. I'm an attorney representing Ms. Sabrina Mitchell.""
Amara felt her stomach tighten.
Reggie frowned.
"Why does my wife need an attorney?""
Danielle placed the envelope on the counter.
"Ms. Mitchell asked me to deliver a formal notice regarding her financial contributions to The Magnolia Table and her claimed interest in its assets.""
Reggie stared at the envelope.
"Her financial contributions?""
"Yes. She claims she invested substantial personal funds into the restaurant after your marriage.""
Amara opened the envelope.
Inside was a legal demand letter.
It claimed Sabrina had invested $85,000 in restaurant improvements and was entitled to reimbursement, as well as an ownership interest in the business.
Amara looked at her father.
"Eighty-five thousand dollars?""
Reggie shook his head.
"She never invested eighty-five thousand dollars.""
Danielle remained professional.
"My client has documentation supporting her position. I'm not here to argue the merits today. I'm simply delivering notice.""
Amara scanned the attached list.
There were payments for kitchen equipment, renovations, furniture, marketing, and business consulting.
Some entries looked familiar.
Then she noticed a date.
A payment of $18,500 for kitchen renovations.
The same week, the restaurant had received a loan from a local small-business lender.
Amara remembered that loan.
She had processed the payment herself.
It had come directly from the restaurant's operating account.
She pointed to the entry.
"This isn't Sabrina's money.""
Danielle glanced at the document.
"That is a matter for the legal process.""
Amara turned another page.
Then she found something worse.
The demand letter referenced a private agreement supposedly signed by Reggie six months earlier.
It stated that Sabrina would receive a twenty-five percent ownership interest in The Magnolia Table in exchange for her financial contributions.
Reggie took the document.
His face drained of color.
"I've never seen this.""
Danielle adjusted her briefcase.
"Your signature appears on the agreement.""
Reggie shook his head.
"I didn't sign it.""
Amara looked at the bottom of the page.
There was a witness signature.
And a notary stamp.
She read the name.
Then she looked up at Danielle.
"Who notarized this?""
Danielle glanced at the document.
"According to the certificate, a notary named Patricia Ellis.""
Reggie slowly sat down.
Amara stared at the signature.
She recognized the name.
Patricia Ellis wasn't a stranger.
She was Sabrina's closest friend.
And she had attended Reggie and Sabrina's wedding.
Amara turned toward her father.
"Did you ever meet this notary privately?""
Reggie shook his head.
"No.""
Danielle closed her briefcase.
"I suggest you consult your own attorney before making further statements.""
She left the restaurant.
Reggie remained seated.
Amara looked at the document again.
Then her phone vibrated.
A new message had arrived from the same unknown number.
Don't confront Sabrina yet. I have the original document. And there's something on it you need to see.
A second message followed.
Your father isn't the only person whose signature she may have forged.
Amara stared at the screen.
Then she looked at the operating agreement her mother had left behind.
May you like
Because if Sabrina had forged documents to claim ownership of the restaurant, the next question was terrifying.
*Had she also forged something that could take away Amara's inheritance?*
