Chapter 14 - ELAINE’S TESTIMONY
Elaine pleaded first.
False notarization.
No conspiracy plea.
She admitted knowingly certifying I appeared when I did not.
She denied knowing my signature was forged.
Prosecutors accepted after reviewing evidence.
Sentence recommendation:
Probation.
Loss of notary commission.
Fine.
Community service.
No prison.
Reasonable.
She agreed to testify truthfully.
In deposition, Arthur asked:
“Why risk thirty years of professional standing?”
Elaine cried.
“Because Judith told me Greg would move all family tax work.”
My mother-in-law’s name was Judith? Wait source didn't name. We should not invent now. Need avoid. Let's say “Greg’s mother told me...”. Good.
“Because Greg’s mother told me he would move all family tax work.”
“Would that hurt your firm?”
“Yes.”
“Did Greg say that too?”
“Yes.”
“Did Chloe?”
“No.”
Then:
“Did Greg tell you the deed signature was authentic?”
“Yes.”
“Did you believe him?”
“I wanted to.”
Important.
“Did you ask Nora?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because if I asked, I might have to stop.”
That sentence entered my bloodstream.
If I ask, I might have to stop.
My marriage in one line.
Then Harbor Crest’s underwriter testified.
Enhanced review should have required direct owner contact through independently sourced number.
Why didn’t it happen?
“We treated Greg as authorized household intermediary.”
Why?
Past business relationship.
The underwriter knew him from a prior Northbridge? Wait Greg no company. We haven't given him occupation. Could be corporate finance manager? Better don't invent. We can say Harbor Crest had previously financed one of Greg's personal investment properties? But source not. Let's keep: broker relationship. Greg had been referred by a trusted mortgage broker.
“Was that sufficient?”
“In hindsight, no.”
The lender carried some responsibility for weak controls.
Would that invalidate debt?
It influenced title insurer dispute.
Then title insurer argued exclusion because lender failed closing conditions.
Harbor Crest argued insurer must pay if deed void.
Separate lawsuit brewing.
My house had become one corner of a multi-party loss allocation.
That was good for me emotionally?
Not exactly.
But it meant lender had alternative recovery.
Then Arthur asked:
“What if Harbor Crest gets insurance payout?”
“They may release lien and pursue insurer/subrogation.”
“When?”
“Could settle.”
“Can we force?”
“Not without judgment.”
Again.
Waiting.
Then my son had a school presentation called “My Family.”
He refused.
Teacher emailed.
I met counselor.
He said:
“If I draw Dad, people know he got arrested.”
Greg had not been jailed pretrial.
But local news reported charges.
Kids talked.
I sat beside him.
“You can draw whoever you consider family.”
“Dad is family.”
“Yes.”
“But he did crimes.”
“Alleged right now.”
He rolled his eyes.
“Mom.”
Fine.
“He admitted some things to us privately, but court hasn’t finished.”
“Can people be family and bad?”
“Yes.”
“Are you bad because you hit Aunt Chloe?”
I swallowed.
“I did something wrong.”
“Same?”
“No.”
“How?”
Different scale.
Different conduct.
Different intent.
I explained age-appropriately.
He finally drew:
Me.
His sister.
Greg.
Our dog.
Four boxes connected by lines.
No Chloe.
No grandparents.
His choice.
The teacher did not correct.
Good.
Then my daughter asked if Greg could attend her recital.
I said yes.
He came.
Sat separately.
No Chloe.
No mother-in-law.
He clapped.
Afterward he asked before hugging me? No hug.
He said:
“She was great.”
“Yes.”
Then:
“I miss the house.”
I looked at him.
“Don’t.”
May you like
He nodded.
A simple boundary finally heard.
