Chapter 12 - Forty-Eight HoursMara didn't waste time.
Within the hour, she had contacted the parties identified in the transaction materials and sent formal notice that Naomi disputed the power of attorney and denied authorizing any sale.
She also began preparing a lawsuit challenging the instrument and seeking emergency court intervention.
Naomi sat across from her, carefully reviewing the declaration Mara drafted.
Every sentence mattered.
Her ownership of Rosemont Court.
Her refusal to sell.
The recorded document she denied signing.
The notary who denied witnessing its execution.
The pending transaction.
The documents discovered at Hawthorne Hall.
“Read it slowly,” Mara instructed. “Don't sign anything you can't truthfully attest to.”
Naomi did.
Her hands trembled slightly, but she read every page.
For years, Daniel had handled complicated documents because he told her they were stressful.
Now Naomi understood that reading carefully was an act of protection.
She corrected a date.
Clarified a conversation.
And removed a sentence that claimed she'd seen Raymond personally direct the forgery.
She hadn't.
She suspected it.
But suspicion was not firsthand knowledge.
Mara nodded approvingly.
“That's exactly the distinction we need.”
The lawsuit was filed that afternoon.
Mara requested temporary relief preventing the disputed authorization from being used to transfer or encumber Rosemont Court while the court considered the evidence.
She warned Naomi that emergency relief was not automatic.
A judge would consider the legal standard.
The other parties might contest the application.
And the case itself could take months.
Naomi didn't ask for certainty.
She asked what she could do.
“Be available. Keep your records organized. And don't communicate directly with people who are trying to pressure you.”
By late afternoon, the title company involved in the proposed closing had acknowledged receiving the dispute notice.
It did not declare the matter resolved.
But it confirmed that the allegations required review before it could proceed as though the authorization were undisputed.
Naomi read the acknowledgment three times.
It was the first measurable pause in a process she'd never agreed to begin.
Then Lorraine called.
Naomi let it go to voicemail.
A message followed.
Your attorney is jeopardizing more than you understand.
Naomi saved it.
Another message arrived.
Think about Daniel's future. Think about your children.
She saved that too.
At 7:15 p.m., Raymond called for the first time since the baby shower.
Naomi answered.
“Raymond.”
His voice was calm.
“Naomi. We need to clear up a misunderstanding.”
“There is no misunderstanding about whether I signed a power of attorney.”
“I understand you have concerns.”
“That's an interesting way to describe a forged document.”
Raymond paused.
“I wouldn't use language like that without proof.”
“Then I'm sure you won't mind a court examining it.”
His tone cooled.
“Legal proceedings can be costly.”
“So can unauthorized property transactions.”
“Rosemont Court represents a significant opportunity.”
“Not to me.”
“You haven't heard the complete proposal.”
“I told your company two months ago that I wasn't selling.”
“That was before the financing structure changed.”
Naomi felt an unexpected flash of anger.
“You think financing changes the meaning of no?”
Raymond didn't answer directly.
“The company has obligations to its investors.”
“Then satisfy those obligations without my property.”
A long silence followed.
Then Raymond said something that explained more than any document.
“Your grandmother's building is standing in the way of progress.”
Naomi looked at the little blue-door photograph on her refrigerator.
“It's standing exactly where my grandmother put it.”
Raymond exhaled.
“You're being sentimental.”
“And you're confusing sentiment with ownership.”
“Daniel is suffering.”
Naomi closed her eyes.
“Daniel should have thought about that before he helped hide this.”
Raymond's voice sharpened.
“Careful, Naomi. You're speaking about the father of your children.”
“And you're speaking to their mother.”
She ended the call.
For several minutes, she stood completely still.
Then she walked into Ellie's bedroom.
Her daughter was building a castle from wooden blocks.
“Mommy, can you help?”
Naomi carefully lowered herself onto the carpet.
“Of course.”
Ellie handed her a blue block.
“This is the front door.”
Naomi placed it where Ellie pointed.
“Is that right?”
Ellie nodded.
“Nobody gets to move it unless I say so.”
Naomi smiled despite everything.
“That sounds fair.”
Ellie added another block.
“Even if they're bigger than me?”
“Even then.”
The next morning, Mara called with an update.
The court had scheduled an expedited hearing.
The proposed closing was not proceeding on its original timetable while the title company reviewed the dispute, though Naomi still needed judicial protection against further attempts.
Naomi let out a long breath.
“Does that mean we've won?”
“No,” Mara replied. “It means the immediate pressure has changed.”
“Will Lorraine be there?”
“Her side will have an opportunity to respond.”
Naomi looked toward the kitchen table.
The little packet still sat inside a labeled evidence sleeve.
A child's discovery had interrupted an entire family's plan.
May you like
Now that plan was about to be examined somewhere Lorraine couldn't control the guest list.
A courtroom.
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