Chapter 7: They Used My Brother's Name
I read Marcus's message so many times that the words began to blur.
Dad died before this document was supposedly signed.
My little brother was sixteen years old.
He had never been allowed to make a financial decision without our mother checking it first. He didn't even have a driver's license.
Yet somehow, his name had appeared on a business guarantee connected to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
And now someone was threatening to make him responsible for it.
I immediately called him.
He answered after the first ring.
"Zarya?""
"Where are you?""
"In my room.""
"Is Mom there?""
"No. She's downstairs talking to Richard.""
I lowered my voice.
"Listen carefully. Don't sign anything. Don't touch any documents. Don't agree to anything, even if Mom tells you it's just paperwork.""
Marcus sniffed.
"She said if I don't sign, they'll send me to jail.""
My chest tightened.
"You're sixteen. You haven't done anything wrong.""
"But my name is on the paper.""
"That doesn't mean you agreed to anything. Do you understand?""
He was quiet.
Then he whispered, "I found something else.""
"What?""
"An envelope behind Mom's dresser. It has Dad's name on it.""
"What's inside?""
"I don't know. She came upstairs before I could open it.""
I looked at Denise.
She had already picked up her keys.
"Marcus, can you get out of the house?""
"I don't think so. Richard is standing by the front door.""
"Then stay in your room. Lock it.""
"Zarya—"
"I'm coming.""
I ended the call.
Denise grabbed the black binder.
"We need to call Evelyn.""
I dialed immediately.
She answered before the second ring.
"Zarya?""
"My brother is in danger. Richard Hale is at our house, and my mother is trying to make him sign a financial guarantee.""
Her voice became firm.
"Do not confront Richard alone. I'm contacting an investigator and arranging for someone to meet you. Bring Marcus somewhere safe if you can.""
"Can you come?""
"I'm already on my way.""
Twenty-five minutes later, Denise and I arrived at my mother's house.
Richard's black sedan was still parked outside.
Through the living room window, I saw my mother sitting on the sofa. Richard stood beside the coffee table, holding a document.
Marcus was nowhere in sight.
I rushed inside.
"Where's my brother?""
Monique jumped up.
"What are you doing here?""
"Where is Marcus?""
"He's upstairs.""
Richard closed his briefcase.
"Zarya. We meet again.""
I ignored him.
"Marcus!""
Footsteps sounded above us.
My brother appeared at the top of the stairs.
"Zarya!""
He hurried down.
I caught him in a hug.
"Are you okay?""
He nodded against my shoulder.
Monique folded her arms.
"This is getting ridiculous. Richard is here to resolve a financial misunderstanding.""
I turned toward him.
"By threatening a sixteen-year-old?""
Richard smiled without warmth.
"Nobody is threatening anyone.""
"You told him he'd go to jail if he didn't sign.""
"I explained the potential consequences of refusing to cooperate.""
Denise stepped forward.
"Show us the document.""
Richard's expression changed.
"Excuse me?""
"The guarantee. Show us the original.""
He closed his briefcase.
"I don't believe that's necessary.""
"Then you won't mind if we ask the authorities to examine it.""
Monique stepped between us.
"Denise, you have no right to interfere.""
"I have every right to protect these children.""
"They're my children!""
"Then start acting like it.""
The room fell silent.
Richard placed his briefcase on the table again.
"Fine. Since everyone wants transparency, let's have a look.""
He removed a document and handed it to me.
My name wasn't on it.
Marcus's was.
The document claimed that he had personally guaranteed a $180,000 business loan to Carter Family Holdings.
The signature at the bottom looked like his.
But the date was wrong.
Marcus had been ten years old.
I looked at Richard.
"How do you explain this?""
He shrugged.
"Your father arranged the guarantee.""
"Then why is Marcus's signature on it?""
"Your mother handled the paperwork.""
I turned toward Monique.
"Did you make him sign this when he was ten?""
She looked away.
Richard interrupted.
"These are complicated business arrangements. You shouldn't assume anything criminal happened.""
I pointed at the date.
"Then explain how a ten-year-old could legally guarantee a business loan.""
For the first time, Richard had no immediate answer.
A knock sounded at the front door.
Monique looked toward it.
"I'll get it.""
But Denise moved first.
She opened the door.
Evelyn Brooks stood outside with a man in a dark jacket carrying an official identification badge.
"Good afternoon," Evelyn said.
"I'm Evelyn Brooks, legal representative for the Carter children's trust.""
Richard's face went pale.
Evelyn entered and placed a folder on the coffee table.
"I believe it's time we stopped pretending these documents are legitimate.""
Richard straightened.
"You have no authority here.""
"Actually, I do.""
She removed a certified copy of the original trust agreement.
"Arthur Carter appointed me independent trustee. Your subsequent agreements were never authorized.""
Richard laughed.
"Arthur is dead.""
"And his legal instructions remain valid.""
She placed another document beside it.
"Furthermore, I have evidence that you transferred trust assets into accounts under your control.""
Monique sat down.
I looked at her.
"Mom, did you know?""
She didn't answer.
Evelyn continued.
"The bank has preserved the original transaction records. Several transfers are now under review.""
Richard reached for the documents.
The man accompanying Evelyn immediately stepped forward.
"Please leave those where they are.""
Richard withdrew his hand.
Then Evelyn turned toward Marcus.
"Sweetheart, did anyone explain this guarantee to you?""
Marcus shook his head.
"No.""
"Did you sign it?""
"No.""
"Did you ever agree to borrow money for the company?""
"No.""
Evelyn nodded.
"That's important. Thank you.""
My mother suddenly stood.
"Enough! This is my family. You cannot walk into my home and accuse me of stealing.""
Evelyn looked directly at her.
"Monique, nobody is accusing you without evidence. But we have discovered something you may want to explain.""
She removed one final document.
It was a copy of the company's original loan application.
The borrower was Carter Family Holdings.
The guarantor was Richard Hale.
The supporting authorization was supposedly signed by Arthur Carter.
But attached to the application was a second page.
A handwritten note.
If Arthur refuses, use the children's trust as collateral. Monique has agreed.
My mother covered her mouth.
I stared at her.
"You knew Dad never approved this?""
She shook her head.
"Zarya, you don't understand.""
"Then explain it!""
Richard suddenly grabbed his briefcase.
"I'm leaving.""
The investigator stepped in front of him.
"Sir, we'd like you to remain available while we document these records.""
Richard glared at Evelyn.
"You have no idea what you're getting yourself into.""
Evelyn didn't blink.
"Neither did Arthur. That's why he left instructions.""
Richard was escorted outside while the investigator photographed the documents.
But as he reached the front door, he turned toward me.
"Enjoy your little victory, Zarya. You still don't know what your mother did with the money.""
The door closed.
I turned toward Monique.
"What does he mean?""
She stared at the floor.
Then she whispered something that changed everything.
"Your father didn't die with the company in debt.""
I stepped closer.
"What?""
Monique looked at me with tears in her eyes.
"The company was worth almost five million dollars when he died.""
My stomach dropped.
"Then where did all the money go?""
May you like
She closed her eyes.
"I gave it to Richard.""
