“I didn’t open an account.”
The venue manager called Margaret back.
She answered on speaker.
“Mrs. Bennett, we found several authorizations. I’m going to read the names attached to them.”
Daniel’s face drained of color.
The manager continued.
“The first is the reception contract, signed by Margaret Bennett. The second is a payment transfer authorization, also signed by Margaret Bennett, with Daniel Bennett listed as an authorized contact. The third is a premium event protection policy purchased six weeks ago. That policy names Daniel Bennett as the sole beneficiary.”
A murmur traveled through the ballroom.
Tiffany turned toward Daniel.
“What does that mean?”
“It means nothing,” he said too quickly.
The manager’s voice continued.
“There is also an application for a secured line of credit against the Bennett family parcel. That application was declined, but an appraisal was ordered.”
Margaret’s fingers went cold.
The land.
The land her husband’s family had owned for generations.
She had sold a piece of it to pay for the wedding. Daniel had told her the sale was the only way to avoid a loan with a high interest rate.
“You said the buyer was a farmer,” she said.
Daniel closed his eyes.
“Mom.”
“You said the buyer was a farmer.”
“No one bought it,” Roland said.
The entire room seemed to contract around those four words.
Margaret turned toward him.
Roland adjusted his cuff.
“The parcel was transferred into a holding company. It was a private arrangement.”
“Whose holding company?”
He said nothing.
The manager answered from the phone.
“The purchaser of record is Price Hospitality Holdings.”
