Chapter 7: The Man Who Claimed a Piece## Chapter 7: The Man Who Claimed a Piece of Our Home
For almost a full minute, neither Chris nor I spoke.
The document sat open on his laptop, my mother's signature staring back at us from the bottom of the page.
Bes of Our Home
For almost a full minute, neither Chris nor I spoke.
The document sat open on his laptop, my mother's signature staring back at us from the bottom of the page.
Beside it was Daniel Brooks's name.
He wasn't listed as a lender.
He wasn't listed as aide it was Daniel Brooks's name.
He wasn't listed as a lender.
He wasn't listed as a contractor.
He was listed as the recipient of a future financial interest in our home.
I read the paragraph again, hoping I had misunderstood the legal language.
I hadn't.
"Chris," I whispered, "can she actually contractor.
He was listed as the recipient of a future financial interest in our home.
I read the paragraph again, hoping I had misunderstood the legal language.
I hadn't.
"Chris," I whispered, "can she actually give him our house?""
Chris closed the laptop halfway.
"I don't know. And until an attorney reviews this, we're not going to assume she can.""
"But she signed it.""
" give him our house?""
Chris closed the laptop halfway.
"I don't know. And until an attorney reviews this, we're not going to assume she can.""
"But she signed it.""
"That doesn't automatically mean the document is enforceable.""
He reached for his phone.
"I'm sending this to the attorney right now.""
I watched him attach the document to an email. His hands were steady, but his jaw had tightened so much that a muscle jumped near hisThat doesn't automatically mean the document is enforceable.""
He reached for his phone.
"I'm sending this to the attorney right now.""
I watched him attach the document to an email. His hands were steady, but his jaw had tightened so much that a muscle jumped near his ear.
"Should we call Mom?"" I asked.
"No.""
"Why not?""
"Because I want to know what we're dealing with before she has another chance to explain it away.""
He sent the email.
Then he leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes.
For the first time, I noticed how exhausted he looked ear.
"Should we call Mom?"" I asked.
"No.""
"Why not?""
"Because I want to know what we're dealing with before she has another chance to explain it away.""
He sent the email.
Then he leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes.
For the first time, I noticed how exhausted he looked. The man who had spent years fixing broken bicycles, replacing leaking faucets, and staying awake when I was sick suddenly seemed unable to fix the one thing that mattered most to him.
His. The man who had spent years fixing broken bicycles, replacing leaking faucets, and staying awake when I was sick suddenly seemed unable to fix the one thing that mattered most to him.
His own home.
"Do you think she planned this?"" I asked.
Chris looked at me.
"I think we need to find out when she signed that document, what she promised Daniel, and whether she has already received money from him.""
I own home.
"Do you think she planned this?"" I asked.
Chris looked at me.
"I think we need to find out when she signed that document, what she promised Daniel, and whether she has already received money from him.""
I swallowed.
"What if she has?""
"Then we'll deal with the facts.""
He said it calmly, but I could hear the strain in his voice.
My phone buzzed.
Andre.
*Andre:* Did Chris see swallowed.
"What if she has?""
"Then we'll deal with the facts.""
He said it calmly, but I could hear the strain in his voice.
My phone buzzed.
Andre.
*Andre:* Did Chris see the transfer document?
I replied that he had.
The next message arrived almost immediately.
*Andre:* I'm coming over.
I hesitated before answering.
*Me:* Please don't make things worse.
His reply took longer.
*Andre:* I'm not coming to fight. I'm the transfer document?
I replied that he had.
The next message arrived almost immediately.
*Andre:* I'm coming over.
I hesitated before answering.
*Me:* Please don't make things worse.
His reply took longer.
*Andre:* I'm not coming to fight. I'm coming because I think I know why Daniel is involved.
I showed Chris the message.
He looked toward the front window.
"Tell him to come. But make it clear that we are not going to have a shouting match.""
coming because I think I know why Daniel is involved.
I showed Chris the message.
He looked toward the front window.
"Tell him to come. But make it clear that we are not going to have a shouting match.""
I typed the message.
Twenty minutes later, Andre arrived carrying a thick manila folder.
He stood on the front porch, looking uncomfortable.
Chris opened the door.
For a moment, the two men stared at each other.
Nine years of resentment stood between them.
Andre finally spoke.
"ChrisI typed the message.
Twenty minutes later, Andre arrived carrying a thick manila folder.
He stood on the front porch, looking uncomfortable.
Chris opened the door.
For a moment, the two men stared at each other.
Nine years of resentment stood between them.
Andre finally spoke.
"Chris.""
"Andre.""
"I know I have no right to ask you for anything.""
Chris stepped aside.
"Then don't ask. Come in and explain what you know.""
Andre entered.
I.""
"Andre.""
"I know I have no right to ask you for anything.""
Chris stepped aside.
"Then don't ask. Come in and explain what you know.""
Andre entered.
I led them into the kitchen, where the transfer document remained open on the laptop.
When Andre saw Daniel's name, his face darkened.
"So she went through with it.""
led them into the kitchen, where the transfer document remained open on the laptop.
When Andre saw Daniel's name, his face darkened.
"So she went through with it.""
Chris turned sharply.
"You knew about this?""
"No. Not this exact document."" Andre opened his folder.
"But I suspected she was trying to give him something in exchange for helping her cover the debtChris turned sharply.
"You knew about this?""
"No. Not this exact document."" Andre opened his folder.
"But I suspected she was trying to give him something in exchange for helping her cover the debt.""
"What debt?"" Chris asked.
Andre looked at me before answering.
"The original thirty-five thousand dollars was part of it. But Daniel received another twenty thousand from me, supposedly.""
"What debt?"" Chris asked.
Andre looked at me before answering.
"The original thirty-five thousand dollars was part of it. But Daniel received another twenty thousand from me, supposedly for consulting work.""
Chris pulled out a chair.
"Why would you pay a consultant on Natasha's behalf?""
"Because she told me the apartment was in danger of foreclosure for consulting work.""
Chris pulled out a chair.
"Why would you pay a consultant on Natasha's behalf?""
"Because she told me the apartment was in danger of foreclosure and that she needed help negotiating with the property owner.""
Andre placed a bank statement on the island.
"She said Daniel was handling the negotiations and that she needed help negotiating with the property owner.""
Andre placed a bank statement on the island.
"She said Daniel was handling the negotiations. I sent the money to the account he gave me.""
Chris studied the statement.
"Did you ever see an invoice?""
"No.""
"A contract?""
"No.""
"Proof he negotiated. I sent the money to the account he gave me.""
Chris studied the statement.
"Did you ever see an invoice?""
"No.""
"A contract?""
"No.""
"Proof he negotiated anything?""
Andre shook his head.
Chris stared at him.
"You sent twenty thousand dollars to a man you had never met, based on Natasha's word?""
Andre's expression hardened.
"I was trying to keep my daughter from losing her home.""
"And I was trying to protect her from the consequences of my own mistakes," anything?""
Andre shook his head.
Chris stared at him.
"You sent twenty thousand dollars to a man you had never met, based on Natasha's word?""
Andre's expression hardened.
"I was trying to keep my daughter from losing her home.""
"And I was trying to protect her from the consequences of my own mistakes," Chris replied.
"We're both learning that good intentions don't excuse bad decisions.""
The words hung in the air.
Andre looked down.
"You're right.""
I sat between them, feeling as though I were watching two versions of the same regret.
One man had stayed and made Chris replied.
"We're both learning that good intentions don't excuse bad decisions.""
The words hung in the air.
Andre looked down.
"You're right.""
I sat between them, feeling as though I were watching two versions of the same regret.
One man had stayed and made a terrible choice.
The other had left and made a different one.
Both had convinced themselves they were protecting me.
Both had been wrong.
Andre opened the folder a terrible choice.
The other had left and made a different one.
Both had convinced themselves they were protecting me.
Both had been wrong.
Andre opened the folder again.
"I found this last night.""
He handed Chris a printed email dated four months earlier.
The sender was Daniel Brooks.
The recipient was Natasha.
The subject line read: again.
"I found this last night.""
He handed Chris a printed email dated four months earlier.
The sender was Daniel Brooks.
The recipient was Natasha.
The subject line read: *Proposed Resolution of Outstanding Balance.*
Chris began reading.
I leaned over his shoulder.
The email stated that Daniel had records of the original twenty *Proposed Resolution of Outstanding Balance.*
Chris began reading.
I leaned over his shoulder.
The email stated that Daniel had records of the original twenty-thousand-dollar transfer. It also referenced a separate agreement between him and Natasha concerning a financial obligation.
The final paragraph was chillingly direct.
*If the proposed property arrangement-thousand-dollar transfer. It also referenced a separate agreement between him and Natasha concerning a financial obligation.
The final paragraph was chillingly direct.
If the proposed property arrangement is completed, the outstanding balance can be considered resolved is completed, the outstanding balance can be considered resolved, provided the agreed interest is transferred according to schedule.
I read the paragraph twice.
"He's saying she owes him money?""
Andre nodded.
"That's what I think.""
"How much?""
"There's no amount in the email.""
Chris scrolled down.
An attachment had been mentioned, but, provided the agreed interest is transferred according to schedule.*
I read the paragraph twice.
"He's saying she owes him money?""
Andre nodded.
"That's what I think.""
"How much?""
"There's no amount in the email.""
Chris scrolled down.
An attachment had been mentioned, but it wasn't included in Andre's printed copy.
"Do you have the original email?"" Chris asked.
"Yes. I'll forward it.""
Chris opened his laptop.
As Andre typed the address, I asked the question that had been building in my mind.
"Why would Mom owe Daniel money if she already it wasn't included in Andre's printed copy.
"Do you have the original email?"" Chris asked.
"Yes. I'll forward it.""
Chris opened his laptop.
As Andre typed the address, I asked the question that had been building in my mind.
"Why would Mom owe Daniel money if she already paid him twenty thousand dollars?""
Neither man answered immediately.
Then Andre said, "Maybe she never paid him. Maybe that money went somewhere else.""
I felt cold.
"What do you mean?""
He pointed to the bank statement.
"The transfer was supposed to pay for consulting paid him twenty thousand dollars?""
Neither man answered immediately.
Then Andre said, "Maybe she never paid him. Maybe that money went somewhere else.""
I felt cold.
"What do you mean?""
He pointed to the bank statement.
"The transfer was supposed to pay for consulting services. But if Daniel was actually lending your mother money, then the payment could have been part of something different.""
Chris leaned forward.
"You're saying the twenty thousand dollars services. But if Daniel was actually lending your mother money, then the payment could have been part of something different.""
Chris leaned forward.
"You're saying the twenty thousand dollars might not have gone toward the apartment at all.""
"I'm saying we don't know where it went.""
My phone buzzed again.
This time, it was a text from my mother.
**Mom might not have gone toward the apartment at all.""
"I'm saying we don't know where it went.""
My phone buzzed again.
This time, it was a text from my mother.
*Mom:* Where are you?
I stared at the screen.
*Me:* Home.
*Mom:* Is Chris there?
*Me:* Yes.
Three dots appeared.
Then disappeared.
Then appeared again.
*Mom:* Tell him not to sign anything until I get back.
I looked up.
"She:** Where are you?
I stared at the screen.
*Me:* Home.
*Mom:* Is Chris there?
*Me:* Yes.
Three dots appeared.
Then disappeared.
Then appeared again.
*Mom:* Tell him not to sign anything until I get back.
I looked up.
"She knows we're discussing the documents.""
Chris held out his hand for knows we're discussing the documents.""
Chris held out his hand for the phone.
He read the message, then handed it back.
"Reply that I won't sign anything without legal advice.""
I typed the words.
Mom's response came almost instantly.
*Mom:* You don't understand what you're doing. Daniel will destroy us if this isn't settled today.
Chris read the message over my shoulder.
"That's interesting," he said.
"What?""
"She isn't denying the agreement. She's afraid of what happens if it isn't signed.""
Andre looked toward the window.
"Then we need to know what Daniel has on the phone.
He read the message, then handed it back.
"Reply that I won't sign anything without legal advice.""
I typed the words.
Mom's response came almost instantly.
*Mom:* You don't understand what you're doing. Daniel will destroy us if this isn't settled today.
Chris read the message over my shoulder.
"That's interesting," he said.
"What?""
"She isn't denying the agreement. She's afraid of what happens if it isn't signed.""
Andre looked toward the window.
"Then we need to know what Daniel has on her.""
Before anyone could answer, a black SUV pulled into the driveway.
My mother climbed out.
She wasn't alone.
Daniel Brooks stepped out of the passenger side, carrying the same leather briefcase I had seen the previous evening.
He looked toward the house and said something to Mom.
She shook her.""
Before anyone could answer, a black SUV pulled into the driveway.
My mother climbed out.
She wasn't alone.
Daniel Brooks stepped out of the passenger side, carrying the same leather briefcase I had seen the previous evening.
He looked toward the house and said something to Mom.
She shook her head.
He replied, pointing toward the front door.
Then they started walking.
Chris closed the laptop.
"Both of you stay here.""
I stood.
"No.""
"Maya— her head.
He replied, pointing toward the front door.
Then they started walking.
Chris closed the laptop.
"Both of you stay here.""
I stood.
"No.""
"Maya—"
"This is about my home, my family, and my future. I'm not going to hide upstairs while everyone else decides what I deserve to know.""
He"
"This is about my home, my family, and my future. I'm not going to hide upstairs while everyone else decides what I deserve to know.""
He studied my face.
Then he nodded.
"All right. But let me do the talking unless you have a question.""
The doorbell rang.
Chris opened the door.
Daniel smiled as though he were studied my face.
Then he nodded.
"All right. But let me do the talking unless you have a question.""
The doorbell rang.
Chris opened the door.
Daniel smiled as though he were arriving for a friendly business meeting.
"Mr. Miller. I was hoping we could resolve this without involving attorneys.""
Chris didn't return the smile.
"That depends on what you're asking me arriving for a friendly business meeting.
"Mr. Miller. I was hoping we could resolve this without involving attorneys.""
Chris didn't return the smile.
"That depends on what you're asking me to sign.""
Daniel glanced past him and saw Andre.
For a fraction of a second, his expression changed.
Recognition.
Then he recovered.
"Mr. Johnson. I wasn't expecting you to sign.""
Daniel glanced past him and saw Andre.
For a fraction of a second, his expression changed.
Recognition.
Then he recovered.
"Mr. Johnson. I wasn't expecting you.""
Andre stood.
"Funny. I wasn't expecting to find you in my family's finances.""
Daniel placed his briefcase on the table.
"Let's not make this personal.""
"It became personal when you started claiming.""
Andre stood.
"Funny. I wasn't expecting to find you in my family's finances.""
Daniel placed his briefcase on the table.
"Let's not make this personal.""
"It became personal when you started claiming an interest in a house you didn't buy.""
Daniel turned to Chris.
"The agreement is straightforward. Mrs. Miller has an outstanding obligation. The property arrangement provides a way to settle it.""
"An obligation to an interest in a house you didn't buy.""
Daniel turned to Chris.
"The agreement is straightforward. Mrs. Miller has an outstanding obligation. The property arrangement provides a way to settle it.""
"An obligation to whom?"" Chris asked.
"That is a private matter between Mrs. Miller and my company.""
"Then you have no reason to ask me to transfer part of my property.""
Daniel opened his briefcase.
"Your wife has already entered into a binding agreement.""
Chris remained still.
"Then my attorney can review it.""
Daniel's whom?"" Chris asked.
"That is a private matter between Mrs. Miller and my company.""
"Then you have no reason to ask me to transfer part of my property.""
Daniel opened his briefcase.
"Your wife has already entered into a binding agreement.""
Chris remained still.
"Then my attorney can review it.""
Daniel's smile disappeared.
"Mr. Miller, I don't think you understand the consequences of delaying this.""
"Explain them.""
Daniel looked toward my mother.
She shook her head almost imperceptibly.
But Daniel continued.
"If the transfer isn't completed, certain documents may become relevant in proceedings that affect your smile disappeared.
"Mr. Miller, I don't think you understand the consequences of delaying this.""
"Explain them.""
Daniel looked toward my mother.
She shook her head almost imperceptibly.
But Daniel continued.
"If the transfer isn't completed, certain documents may become relevant in proceedings that affect your household.""
"What documents?""
"Financial records. Previous agreements. Correspondence.""
Chris folded his arms.
"Then produce them.""
Daniel closed the briefcase.
"That isn't how business works.""
"No," Chris replied.
"It's exactly how honest business works.""
For the first time, Daniel looked angry.
He turned toward me household.""
"What documents?""
"Financial records. Previous agreements. Correspondence.""
Chris folded his arms.
"Then produce them.""
Daniel closed the briefcase.
"That isn't how business works.""
"No," Chris replied.
"It's exactly how honest business works.""
For the first time, Daniel looked angry.
He turned toward me.
"Maya, you seem like an intelligent young woman. I'm sure you understand that financial matters can become complicated when families fail to cooperate.""
I stared at him.
"Are you threatening my family?""
"I'm explaining the situation.""
"Then explain why my mother signed away an interest.
"Maya, you seem like an intelligent young woman. I'm sure you understand that financial matters can become complicated when families fail to cooperate.""
I stared at him.
"Are you threatening my family?""
"I'm explaining the situation.""
"Then explain why my mother signed away an interest in our home without telling Chris.""
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
"Your mother acted voluntarily.""
"Why?""
He didn't answer.
I stepped closer.
"And why did you receive twenty thousand dollars from Andre nine years ago?""
Daniel went completely still.
Chris turned toward him.
"Twenty thousand dollars?""
Andre placed the bank statement on the table.
Daniel in our home without telling Chris.""
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
"Your mother acted voluntarily.""
"Why?""
He didn't answer.
I stepped closer.
"And why did you receive twenty thousand dollars from Andre nine years ago?""
Daniel went completely still.
Chris turned toward him.
"Twenty thousand dollars?""
Andre placed the bank statement on the table.
Daniel looked at it without touching it.
Then he slowly closed his briefcase.
"I think this meeting is over.""
Chris moved aside, leaving the door open.
"Agreed.""
Daniel picked up his briefcase.
At the threshold, he turned back.
"Mr. Miller, you have until five o'clock tomorrow afternoon looked at it without touching it.
Then he slowly closed his briefcase.
"I think this meeting is over.""
Chris moved aside, leaving the door open.
"Agreed.""
Daniel picked up his briefcase.
At the threshold, he turned back.
"Mr. Miller, you have until five o'clock tomorrow afternoon to make a decision. After that, I will proceed with the remedies available to my client.""
He walked outside.
Mom remained in the doorway.
Her face was pale.
Chris looked at her.
"Who does to make a decision. After that, I will proceed with the remedies available to my client.""
He walked outside.
Mom remained in the doorway.
Her face was pale.
Chris looked at her.
"Who does Daniel represent?""
She swallowed.
"He's helping me.""
"That wasn't my question.""
She looked at Andre, then at me.
Finally, she whispered, "He represents the company that owns my debt.""
Andre stood.
"What company?""
Mom's lips trem Daniel represent?""
She swallowed.
"He's helping me.""
"That wasn't my question.""
She looked at Andre, then at me.
Finally, she whispered, "He represents the company that owns my debt.""
Andre stood.
"What company?""
Mom's lips trembled.
"DB Property Holdings.""
Chris's expression hardened.
"The company formed four months ago?""
She nodded.
I felt the blood drain from my face.
Because Daniel hadn't merely been helping Mombled.
"DB Property Holdings.""
Chris's expression hardened.
"The company formed four months ago?""
She nodded.
I felt the blood drain from my face.
Because Daniel hadn't merely been helping Mom negotiate her debts.
He had created a company that now claimed an interest in our house.
And my mother had signed the document that made it possible.
But the worst revelation was still waiting.
Mom looked directly at Chris.
"I didn't know he was going to use the agreement like this.""
Chris's negotiate her debts.
He had created a company that now claimed an interest in our house.
And my mother had signed the document that made it possible.
But the worst revelation was still waiting.
Mom looked directly at Chris.
"I didn't know he was going to use the agreement like this.""
Chris's voice was quiet.
"Then tell us what you thought you were signing.""
She opened her mouth.
And for the first time, she didn't have an excuse ready.
Instead, she said, "I thought I was buying time.""
Then voice was quiet.
"Then tell us what you thought you were signing.""
She opened her mouth.
And for the first time, she didn't have an excuse ready.
Instead, she said, "I thought I was buying time.""
Then she looked at me.
"And I never imagined Daniel would bring you into this.""
I stared at her.
"You brought me into it when you decided to use my name.""
Her eyes filled.
But I no longer knew whether her tears meant she was sorry—or simply afraid of what would she looked at me.
"And I never imagined Daniel would bring you into this.""
I stared at her.
"You brought me into it when you decided to use my name.""
Her eyes filled.
But I no longer knew whether her tears meant she was sorry—or simply afraid of what would happen next.
Because Daniel had given us a deadline.
And whatever my mother had signed four months earlier, it was about to come due.
happen next.
May you like
Because Daniel had given us a deadline.
And whatever my mother had signed four months earlier, it was about to come due.
