Chapter 12 - THE PERSON UPSTAIRS
We waited outside for the police. Ethan kept looking at the upstairs windows.
“I should go back in,” he said.
“You called for help. Give them room to do their job.”
Two officers arrived and checked the house. They found a man in an upstairs storage room, holding a folder from Ethan’s office. He identified himself as a courier sent by Calvin Pierce.
“He gave me the gate code,” the man insisted as an officer led him outside. “I was told these files belonged to his client.”
“Did Calvin tell you to hide upstairs?” Ethan asked.
The man looked away.
The folder contained copies of Ethan’s financing documents and a signed letter authorizing George to discuss the distribution center with investors. It did not authorize anyone to enter Ethan’s home.
Ethan changed the access code while the officers were still there. He also called the security company to review every code that had been issued.
One belonged to Patricia. Vanessa had given it to her for wedding planning. It had been used that afternoon.
“She sent him,” Ethan said.
“We’ll give the police what we know,” I replied.
That night, Nora called with news from the developer. After learning of the title dispute, it had suspended talks with Willow Gate. It was willing to communicate directly with Ethan and me about the land, but Nora advised us to wait until the signatures and option agreement were sorted out.
The next morning, George appeared at my door.
I saw him through the glass and called Nora before opening it. She told me to speak through the door or not at all. I chose the door.
“You’ve made your point,” George said. “The developer is walking away.”
“You can discuss the transaction with Nora.”
“I came about Ethan. He’s going to lose the investors I introduced.”
“He can speak for himself.”
George glanced at the camera above my porch. “Patricia says she never authorized those documents. If this turns into a case, Calvin will say Ethan brought him the signed papers.”
“He can tell the detective whatever he chooses.”
George’s composure slipped. “You think a video of a garden party tells the whole story?”
“No.”
For the first time, he looked relieved.
“It tells me what happened at the garden party,” I said. “The records will tell us what happened to the land.”
He stepped closer to the door. “You don’t understand how much is at stake.”
“I understand enough.”
When he left, I sent Nora the porch recording. Then I called Ethan to warn him George might try to shift blame.
He answered with a question.
“Mom, did you tell anyone I have a meeting with the bank tomorrow?”
May you like
“No.”
“Patricia just emailed my lender. She attached that fake letter about your finances—and another one saying I’ve been hiding company debt.”
