Chapter 3 - THE SIGNATURE I NEVER GAVEThat night, Charlotte checked into a hotel with Skylar.

She chose one with underground parking and a security desk.

Safety first.

Questions later.

At 11:47 p.m., she filed an initial fraud report.

At 12:16 a.m., Skylar finally fell asleep.

Charlotte sat beside the window, watching headlights move through the parking lot.

Her phone lit up.

Brandon.

Then Gertrude.

Then Hailey.

After everything I've done for this family, you treat me like a thief?

You're destroying everyone over dinner.

Then Brandon:

Call me before you make a mistake you can't take back.

Charlotte almost smiled.

Then another message appeared.

Unknown number.

Mrs. Whitaker, this is Nathan Bell from Bell & Ramos Architecture. I apologize for contacting you late, but Mr. Whitaker said you were having questions about tomorrow's signing.

Charlotte's heart stopped.

She called him.

Nathan sounded frightened.

"I was told you approved the project."

"I did not."

"We were provided authorization documents."

"What documents?"

"A limited property power of attorney. Owner-consent forms."

Charlotte closed her eyes.

"Send me everything."

Seven minutes later, fourteen attachments arrived.

Renovation plans.

$287,650.

Property-secured financing.

A luxury bathroom.

Outdoor kitchen.

Walls removed.

Her office converted.

Then she opened the owner authorization.

Her name was there.

Charlotte Elaine Whitaker.

Beside it was a signature.

It looked almost like hers.

Almost.

But Charlotte knew her own handwriting.

The final R curved upward.

This one curved down.

Then she opened the power of attorney.

It was worse.

It supposedly authorized Brandon to refinance, place liens on the property, sign construction documents and act on her behalf.

At the bottom was another fake signature.

And a notary stamp.

According to the document, Charlotte had appeared before the notary nine days earlier.

At 3:15 p.m.

Charlotte opened her work calendar.

At 3:15 p.m., she had been presenting to forty-six people.

There were security cameras.

Badge records.

Meeting minutes.

Witnesses.

She forwarded everything to Andrea.

Andrea called immediately.

"This is bigger than financial fraud."

"I know."

"No. Charlotte. Listen to me. Somebody is building a legal identity for you."

Charlotte looked at Skylar sleeping beneath the hotel blanket.

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