Jake looked from Marian to Betty. “Mom, why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because you stopped asking me anything.”
His face crumpled, but he stayed where he was.
Marian opened the folder. “The deed is recorded solely in Betty Walsh’s name. It has been since 1989. There has never been a transfer, lien, or mortgage after the final payment.”
Harold took the unsigned pages from Jake’s hand. “Then what is this?”
“A proposed transfer,” Marian said. “It has not been recorded.”
Susan’s voice sharpened. “It only needs Betty’s signature.”
“Correct.”
“I told you she agreed.”
Marian looked at Betty. “Did you?”
“No.”
“Then the transfer has no legal effect.”
Susan laughed, but the sound broke apart before it became convincing. “You’re making this dramatic. Jake and I are married. He has a right to help manage family property.”
“Marriage does not give him ownership of property his mother owns,” Marian said. “And it certainly does not give you ownership.”
Harold read through the pages. His hands began to shake.
“Why is there a signature here?” he asked.
Marian leaned over the table.
Betty could not see the page from where she stood, but Jake did. His eyes fixed on the bottom line.
“That’s mine,” he whispered.
Susan reached for the document, but Harold held it away from her.
“It’s your signature,” he said.
“I signed for him.”
“You signed his name?”
“You told me to.”
“I did not.”
The accusation hung between them.
Martha covered her mouth.
Susan rounded on her father. “You wanted this house. You said it would be perfect for us.”
“I said it would be good to live near town.”
“You said Betty would never stay here alone.”
“I thought you meant she was planning to leave.”
“I told you what you wanted to hear.”
Harold stared at his daughter. His anger was giving way to something more painful.
“How long have you been planning this?”
Susan said nothing.
Marian reached into the folder and removed a second envelope. “There is more.”
The room seemed to contract.
Betty watched Marian place a flash drive and several printed pages beside the deed.
“Mrs. Walsh gave me these,” Marian said. “She found them in a drawer after Susan began asking questions about the property.”
Susan’s face changed.
