The broker looked at him.
“What debt?”
Michael unfolded the paper.
“It was a contract between Lauren and Stephen Voss. The buyer’s deposit was supposed to be divided. Three hundred thousand to her mother, two hundred thousand to pay our debts, and the rest to Lauren.”
Lauren stared at him.
Michael continued.
“My name was not on it.”
The officer took the paper.
I watched my son’s hands. They were shaking so badly that the page rattled between his fingers.
“What else is on the drive?” I asked.
He swallowed.
“Audio recordings.”
Lauren stepped backward.
“Michael.”
“I found them because you left the laptop open.”
“You had no right.”
“I heard you talking to Voss.”
“What did you hear?” the officer asked.
Michael looked at me.
“I heard her tell him Dad would never notice the signature because he signs everything the same way.”
My hand closed around the edge of the table.
“She said the old man has cataracts and won’t know the difference,” Michael continued. “Voss told her the county only needed a clean scan. She said the notary would stamp whatever was put in front of her.”
“Diane?” I whispered.
Michael shook his head.
“She wasn’t talking about Diane.”
The officer looked at Lauren. “Who was the notary?”
“Someone Voss arranged.”
“Name?”
“Gina Mercer.”
Nora’s face changed.
