Chapter 4: The Man Hiding in My Guesthouse
For three seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Claire screamed.
"WHAT?""
Daniel flinched.
Lorraine dropped her handbag onto the sofa.
And Rebecca Sloan slowly turned toward my son.
"Mr. Hale," she said, "are you telling me that the individual named in these documents is currently staying on this property?""
Daniel swallowed.
"Yes.""
I gripped the armrest of my chair.
"Since when?""
"Yesterday afternoon.""
"Why?""
He rubbed his forehead.
"Mom, please let me explain.""
"Then start explaining.""
Daniel looked toward Claire.
She was standing near the staircase, her face pale, one hand pressed against her mouth.
"Daniel, you told me the guesthouse was being prepared for your business associate.""
"It is.""
"Your business associate?""
"Victor is a consultant.""
"Then why did you tell me he was coming alone?""
Daniel looked down.
Lorraine stepped forward.
"Everyone needs to calm down. This is getting blown completely out of proportion.""
Rebecca turned toward her.
"Mrs. Whitmore, I would strongly recommend that you stop attempting to control this conversation.""
Lorraine's eyes flashed.
"How dare you speak to me that way?""
"How dare you attempt to arrange the transfer of a property you do not own?""
Lorraine went silent.
I stood.
"Daniel, take us to the guesthouse.""
He shook his head.
"That's not a good idea.""
"Why?""
"Victor doesn't know about all this.""
I stared at him.
"Then perhaps he should.""
Rebecca immediately raised a hand.
"Margaret, before anyone approaches him, I want to make something clear. Nobody should enter his room, confront him physically, or touch any documents. We need to preserve evidence and allow the appropriate authorities to handle any suspected criminal activity.""
I nodded.
"Understood.""
She looked at Daniel.
"Does Victor have access to the main house?""
"No.""
"Does he have access to your mother's study?""
Daniel hesitated.
"Yes.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"How?""
"He needed some documents for the property valuation.""
"What documents?""
"Trust information. Tax records. The deed.""
I stared at him.
"You gave a stranger my legal documents?""
"He's not a stranger. Lorraine introduced us.""
Lorraine snapped.
"Don't make it sound like I forced you.""
Daniel turned toward her.
"You told me he could help us.""
"Help you with what?"" Claire demanded.
Daniel didn't answer.
Claire walked toward him.
"Daniel, what is going on?""
He looked at her.
Then he looked at me.
Finally, he spoke.
"Victor said there was a way to put the property into a holding company without causing problems for Mom.""
Rebecca's expression hardened.
"Did he explain that your mother would have to authorize the transfer?""
"He said the paperwork was already being handled.""
"By whom?""
Daniel glanced at Lorraine.
She looked away.
I felt something inside me break a little further.
"Daniel, were you planning to take my house?""
He immediately shook his head.
"No! Mom, no. I wasn't trying to steal anything.""
"Then why were you involved?""
He opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Rebecca stepped closer.
"Mr. Hale, I need a direct answer. Did you knowingly participate in preparing documents intended to transfer the estate from the trust to Whitmore Estate Holdings?""
Daniel's shoulders dropped.
"I thought it was a restructuring.""
"A restructuring?""
"Victor said the house could be managed through the company. He said it would make things easier for everyone.""
"Who would control the company?""
Daniel glanced at Lorraine.
"She said it would be temporary.""
I stared at him.
"Temporary?""
"Until everything was sorted out.""
"Daniel, you cannot temporarily transfer ownership of somebody else's property.""
"I know that now.""
"Did you know it last night?""
He didn't answer.
That silence was worse than any confession.
Rebecca closed her notebook.
"We need to contact the authorities and secure the relevant records. Margaret, I also want the trust's financial accounts reviewed immediately.""
"Why the financial accounts?""
"Because if someone has been attempting to obtain control of the property, we need to determine whether they have also attempted to access funds connected to the estate.""
I looked toward the windows.
The birthday decorations were being arranged across the lawn.
A row of white balloons floated beside the swimming pool.
Workers were placing gold letters spelling ETHAN'S SEVENTH BIRTHDAY above the terrace.
My grandson was upstairs, probably choosing which superhero costume to wear.
And downstairs, the people I had trusted were discussing how to take my house.
I turned toward Thomas.
"Please stay with Rebecca.""
"Of course, Mrs. Hale.""
Then I looked at Daniel.
"Take us to the guesthouse.""
This time, he didn't argue.
We crossed the rear terrace and walked down the stone path toward the guesthouse.
The November air was cold.
My heels clicked against the paving stones.
Daniel walked several steps ahead, his hands buried in his pockets.
Claire stayed beside me.
Lorraine followed behind us, muttering about misunderstandings and unnecessary drama.
The guesthouse stood beyond the rose garden.
It was a beautiful two-story building with cream-colored walls, a slate roof, and large windows overlooking the private tennis court.
I had originally intended it for visiting relatives.
Daniel had turned it into an office during the construction of his business.
Now, apparently, it was housing a man who had been involved in an attempt to transfer my estate.
Daniel stopped at the entrance.
"He's probably working.""
"Knock," Rebecca said.
He did.
No answer.
He knocked again.
"Victor?""
Something moved inside.
Then the door opened.
A man in his early fifties appeared.
He was tall, clean-shaven, and wearing a pale blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
He looked at Daniel.
Then at the rest of us.
His expression changed when he saw Rebecca.
"What's going on?""
Rebecca stepped forward.
"Victor Lang?""
"Yes.""
"I'm Rebecca Sloan. I represent Margaret Hale, the trustee of the property you are currently occupying.""
Victor glanced at me.
Then he smiled.
"Mrs. Hale. Nice to finally meet you.""
I didn't smile back.
"Have we met?""
"No, but I've heard a lot about you.""
"I doubt that.""
His smile disappeared.
Daniel shifted uncomfortably.
"Victor, we need to talk.""
Victor looked past him.
"Is something wrong?""
Rebecca held up the photocopy of the transfer application.
"Do you recognize this document?""
Victor glanced at it.
Only for a second.
Then he shrugged.
"Looks like a property transaction.""
"Did you prepare it?""
"No.""
"Did you advise Mrs. Whitmore regarding its preparation?""
Victor gave a small laugh.
"I don't know what you're talking about.""
Rebecca showed him the power of attorney.
"And this?""
He stared at the page.
Then he stepped back.
"Look, I'm not discussing confidential business matters on a doorstep.""
"That's understandable. But I do need to know why your name appears in correspondence concerning the unauthorized transfer of this property.""
Victor looked at Daniel.
Daniel looked at the ground.
I stepped forward.
"Mr. Lang, did you come here last night to discuss removing me from my home?""
His jaw tightened.
"Mrs. Hale, I think there's been a misunderstanding.""
"Then clear it up.""
He rubbed his chin.
"I was brought in to advise on a family property arrangement.""
"Who brought you in?""
He glanced toward Lorraine.
She immediately looked away.
"Mrs. Whitmore," he admitted.
"And what did she ask you to do?""
"Evaluate the estate.""
"Only that?""
Victor hesitated.
"Yes.""
Rebecca lifted another page.
"Then why did you send an email stating that the owner needed to be out of the property before the final documents were executed?""
Victor's face changed.
"Where did you get that?""
"That's not an answer.""
He looked toward Daniel again.
Then he stepped outside and pulled the door nearly closed behind him.
"I think we should speak privately.""
"No," Rebecca replied.
"We will speak in the presence of everyone already involved.""
Victor exhaled.
"Fine.""
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
"I need to call someone.""
Rebecca watched him.
"Who?""
"My attorney.""
"That's your right.""
He turned away and began dialing.
I noticed something strange.
His hands were shaking.
Not dramatically.
Just enough.
Then his phone connected.
"Listen," he said quietly.
"There's a problem.""
He paused.
"No, they're all here.""
Another pause.
Then he said something that made my blood run cold.
"They found the blue folder.""
He listened.
His face tightened.
Then he lowered his voice.
"Yes. The original one.""
Rebecca took a step forward.
"Mr. Lang, who are you speaking to?""
Victor ended the call.
"Nobody.""
Rebecca held out her hand.
"Please remain available. The authorities will need to speak with you.""
Victor stared at her.
Then he looked at me.
"Mrs. Hale, you really don't understand what you're getting into.""
I met his eyes.
"Then perhaps you should explain.""
He gave a bitter smile.
"Your family has been making arrangements for months. You can't suddenly pretend nobody discussed this.""
I turned toward Daniel.
"Months?""
Daniel's face had lost all color.
Victor continued.
"Your son wanted the house secured. Mrs. Whitmore wanted the transfer completed. I was hired to make the paperwork work.""
Claire stepped forward.
"Daniel?""
Victor looked at her.
"You didn't know?""
She shook her head.
"Know what?""
He frowned.
"That your husband was supposed to become the managing partner after the transfer?""
The silence was deafening.
I slowly turned toward my son.
Daniel looked as though he might collapse.
Rebecca's voice became very cold.
"Mr. Lang, are you suggesting that Daniel Hale was intended to receive a financial interest in the company?""
Victor shrugged.
"That's what I was told.""
Claire stared at her husband.
"You were going to become a partner?""
Daniel didn't answer.
"Daniel!""
He finally spoke.
"It wasn't supposed to happen like this.""
Claire stepped away from him.
"Like what?""
He looked at me.
"Mom, I can explain.""
But before he could continue, Rebecca's phone rang.
She checked the screen.
Then answered.
"Yes?""
She listened for several seconds.
Her expression changed.
"You're certain?""
Another pause.
"Send me the documents immediately.""
She ended the call.
I looked at her.
"What is it?""
Rebecca slowly lowered her phone.
"Margaret, the bank has just confirmed something.""
"What?""
"Yesterday afternoon, someone attempted to open a line of credit using the Greenwich estate as collateral.""
I felt the air leave my lungs.
Rebecca continued.
"And the application wasn't submitted under Lorraine's company.""
May you like
She looked directly at Daniel.
"It was submitted under your son's name.""
