Chapter 4 - FridayThursday night, we filed an emergency injunction.
The court scheduled a hearing for Friday morning.
Daniel knew nothing.
At 8:15 a.m., Emily and I entered the courthouse.
Michael carried three folders.
The police had the recordings.
The bank had the fraud alerts.
The lender had been notified of the forged documents.
And the county recorder had been alerted to prevent any unauthorized transfer.
At 9:00, Daniel walked into the courthouse with Patricia.
They looked confident.
Patricia carried a designer handbag.
Daniel wore an expensive suit.
They smiled when they saw Emily.
“Good,” Patricia said.
“You came.”
Emily said nothing.
Daniel looked at me.
“You really can't stay out of our marriage.”
I smiled.
“This isn't about your marriage.”
He frowned.
“Then what is it about?”
I held up the folder.
“Your fraud.”
His face changed.
Patricia stepped forward.
“What fraud?”
Michael handed the judge the first document.
Then the second.
Then the third.
The judge studied them.
Daniel's attorney began speaking.
But the judge raised a hand.
“Mr. Lawson, is this your wife's signature?”
Daniel looked at the document.
“Yes.”
Emily spoke.
“No.”
The courtroom went silent.
The judge looked at her.
“Are you certain?”
“Yes.”
Michael presented a certified copy of Emily's signature from her passport application.
Then her mortgage-free deed.
Then bank records.
The signatures didn't match.
The judge turned to Daniel.
“Mr. Lawson, explain.”
Daniel began sweating.
“I thought she had signed it.”
“You thought?”
“Yes.”
The judge's expression hardened.
“Who prepared these documents?”
Daniel looked at Patricia.
Patricia looked at him.
Neither answered.
Then the courtroom doors opened.
A detective entered.
“Your Honor, we have evidence relevant to this matter.”
Daniel's face went pale.
The recordings were played.
Patricia's voice filled the courtroom.
“Don't worry, Daniel. By Friday, the house will finally be ours.”
No one moved.
Then Daniel's voice played.
“Once the closing is done Friday, your mother can't stop us.”
Patricia whispered:
“That isn't what I meant.”
I almost laughed.
The judge looked at her.
May you like
“Then what did you mean?”
She had no answer.
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