Chapter 6 - THE CALL FROM THE BANK
Three weeks passed after Diane moved out.
The house felt different.
Not empty.
Peaceful.
Noah had settled into college life faster than Claire expected. He attended classes during the day, came home most evenings, and spent far too much time complaining about the campus cafeteria.
Ethan had also changed.
He no longer defended every decision Diane made.
When something bothered him, he talked about it.
When Claire disagreed, he listened.
Their marriage wasn't magically repaired, but for the first time, they were actually trying.
Then one Tuesday morning, Claire received a call from the bank.
“Mrs. Carter?”
“Yes?”
“This is Daniel from security compliance.”
Her stomach tightened.
“What happened?”
“We noticed an unusual authorization attempt on one of your accounts.”
“Which account?”
There was a pause.
“Your property account.”
Claire sat upright.
“What authorization?”
“Someone attempted to add a second signer.”
“Who?”
The banker read the name.
“Diane Cole.”
Claire froze.
“That can't be possible.”
“We thought so too.”
“Was it successful?”
“No.”
“Can you tell where the request came from?”
“Chicago.”
Claire looked toward the hallway.
Diane had moved to another town.
So why was she trying to access an account connected to Claire's home?
She ended the call and immediately contacted Ethan.
He arrived within thirty minutes.
“What happened?”
Claire told him.
His face hardened.
“Why would Mom try to add herself to your account?”
“I don't know.”
Ethan called Diane.
No answer.
He tried again.
Still nothing.
Claire opened her laptop.
The bank had sent her the authorization request.
It contained Diane's information.
Address.
Identification number.
Signature.
Everything looked legitimate.
Almost too legitimate.
Then Claire noticed something.
The signature date was from three weeks earlier.
The same week Diane had moved out.
Claire stared at it.
“Ethan.”
“What?”
“Your mother moved out three weeks ago.”
“Yes.”
“This document says she met a notary four days ago.”
He took the paper.
“So?”
“She was in Illinois.”
He looked at the address.
It was Wisconsin.
Someone had used her identity.
Or Diane had lied about where she was.
Either possibility was serious.
Claire called the bank again.
“Can you freeze the account?”
“Yes.”
“Do that.”
She ended the call.
Then her phone rang again.
Unknown number.
She answered.
A man's voice said:
“You should stop digging.”
Claire froze.
“Who are you?”
“You know exactly why Diane needed access.”
“I don't.”
“Your husband does.”
She looked at Ethan.
“Who is this?”
The caller laughed.
“Ask him about the house.”
The call ended.
Claire turned toward Ethan.
He looked confused.
“What?”
“What does that mean?”
“I don't know.”
“You're sure?”
“Yes.”
Claire stared at him.
Then asked:
“Has your mother ever mentioned selling the house?”
Ethan hesitated.
Just for a second.
But Claire saw it.
“You know something.”
He sighed.
“Before Noah arrived, Mom asked if the house was worth more than the mortgage.”
Claire felt cold.
“When?”
“About six months ago.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“I didn't think it mattered.”
“That is exactly what you always say.”
“I thought she was asking because she was worried about money.”
“Did she ask about the deed?”
Ethan looked away.
“Yes.”
The room became silent.
Claire slowly sat down.
“My mother-in-law wasn't simply trying to stay in my house.”
“No.”
“She was trying to control it.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I don't know.”
May you like
Claire looked at the bank documents.
“Then we're going to find out.”
