Mara heard two sets of footsteps entering the house.
Daniel turned toward the staircase.
“Stay here,” he whispered.
“Absolutely not.”
He started downstairs.
Mara followed.
A man in a gray jacket stood in the foyer beside a woman carrying a leather folder. Neither looked surprised to see Daniel.
The woman looked at Mara.
“You must be Eleanor’s daughter.”
Mara’s eyes narrowed.
“Who are you?”
“My name is Patricia Vale. I represent the company that purchased the property.”
Mara laughed once.
There was nothing funny about it.
“My mother didn't sell this house.”
Patricia opened her folder.
“She did.”
Mara took the document from her.
The same transfer.
Same signature.
Same date.
But now Mara noticed something she had missed upstairs.
The witness section contained a name.
Dr. Harold Crane.
Her mother's physician.
Mara knew him.
He had been on duty the night Eleanor was hospitalized.
“He wouldn't witness a property transfer,” Mara said.
Patricia frowned.
“Why not?”
“Because he was treating my mother when this was supposedly signed.”
Daniel stepped between them.
“This is pointless.”
Mara turned on him.
“No. What's pointless is pretending this document makes sense.”
Patricia looked uncomfortable.
“I was told everything had been completed legally.”
“By whom?”
She hesitated.
Then looked at Daniel.
That glance lasted less than a second.
It was enough.
Mara stepped closer to him.
“You arranged this.”
Daniel shook his head.
“You don't understand.”
“Then explain.”
“I was trying to protect your mother.”
“By selling her house?”
“She was in debt.”
Mara stared at him.
“What debt?”
Daniel didn't answer.
Patricia closed her folder.
“I think I should leave.”
“Wait.”
Mara pulled out her phone.
“I want copies of everything.”
Patricia hesitated.
Then handed her the documents.
Mara photographed each page.
When Patricia left, the house became unnaturally quiet.
Daniel stood near the staircase.
“You should go.”
Mara looked at him.
“You've said that twice.”
“And I'll keep saying it.”
“Where is my mother?”
Daniel's shoulders dropped.
“She’s staying somewhere safe.”
“Where?”
“I can't tell you.”
Mara stepped closer.
“She told me not to come inside. You told me she wasn't here. Now a stranger says she sold the house. Which part of this am I supposed to believe?”
Daniel rubbed his face.
Then whispered, “Your mother didn't sell it.”
Mara waited.
“She borrowed against it.”
“For what?”
Daniel looked toward the empty living room.
“For something she thought would save the family.”
Mara's phone buzzed.
A message appeared from an unknown number.
*Ask Daniel who received the money.**
Mara slowly raised her eyes.
Daniel had seen the message.
He looked terrified.
Click here to continue reading: PART 4: The Money Was Supposed to Save the Family, Yet Every Answer Mara Found Pointed Back Toward the Same Person
The Key Turned in the Lock, and the Woman Behind the Door Knew Exactly Who Had Betrayed Her
Part 3 of 20
