Chương 15
“Because we do not yet know how the account was titled or what access permissions existed.”
Samantha looked at me.
“You gave him access.”
“I did.”
My stomach twisted as I said it.
Michael continued.
“If Greg was an authorized signer, moving the money may not be treated the way you expect.”
“So he can just take it?”
Samantha asked.
“I did not say that.”
“Then what are you saying?”
“I’m saying legal authority to transfer funds and legal ownership of the funds can be different questions.”
She slumped back.
“That sounds intentionally annoying.”
“It is unintentionally accurate.”
“What can we do?”
“Preserve statements, transfer records, account-opening documents, texts about the account, and anything identifying its intended purpose.”
I looked toward the wedding folder.
“There are emails.”
“Good.”
“I wrote specifically that the account was for wedding expenses.”
“Better.”
Samantha swallowed.
“Will that get the money back?”
“I don’t know.”
Michael’s honesty landed harder than reassurance would have.
“Third, Andrea, secure your own financial records.”
“I’m changing passwords.”
“Also call your accountant.”
“And your bank relationship manager.”
I hesitated.
Samantha noticed.
“What?”
“The vineyard loan.”
“What about it?”
“I need to know whether anyone requested information about it.”
Michael said, “Exactly.”
A faint headache had started behind my right eye.
I rubbed the bridge of my nose.
“I’ll call Margaret.”
“Who’s Margaret?” Samantha asked.
“Our commercial banker.”
She looked surprised.
“You know your banker personally?”
“I owe her institution three million dollars.”
“That does create intimacy.”
I smiled despite myself.
Then my phone rang again.
The display showed a local number I recognized.
Celia Ward.
The wedding planner.
I answered.
“Andrea, thank God.”
Celia’s voice was breathless.
“I have Samantha here.”
“I know.”
“No, I mean I have her bridesmaids here.”
I frowned.
“What?”
“They are at the hotel.”
Samantha’s head came up.
Celia continued.
“Greg told them the wedding is still happening and that you’re having some kind of medical episode.”
For a moment, nobody in the kitchen spoke.
“He said what?”
“That you became confused after an argument and canceled payments impulsively.”
My hand tightened around the phone.
“He said Samantha is with you because she’s trying to calm you down.”
Samantha stood.
“Oh my God.”
Celia lowered her voice.
“His sister is telling everyone not to contact Samantha because she needs space.”
Samantha grabbed her own phone.
There were eleven missed calls.
Twenty-seven unread messages.
Her face hardened.
“What exactly did Greg tell them?”
Celia hesitated.
“That the venue issue would be resolved by tonight.”
Samantha looked at me.
“How?”
“I don’t know.”
Then my screen lit with a text from Ben.
Two vehicles at west gate.
One is Greg.
Other has four people I don’t know.
I showed Samantha.
Her eyes narrowed.
“Who are they?”
“I don’t know.”
Another message arrived.
Greg says they are here to inspect the property.
Michael’s voice sharpened through the speaker.
“Do not let them in.”
I was already moving toward the mudroom.
Ben sent one more text before I reached the door.
Greg says North Creek has a contractual right of access.
I stopped.
Samantha came up beside me.
“What contractual right?”
I looked at Michael’s phone.
He was silent for half a beat.
Then he said, “Andrea, there is only one reason Greg would say that with confidence.”
My mouth went dry.
“What?”
“He believes someone signed something you haven’t seen.”
I looked toward the west gate through the kitchen window, though the vines hid it from view.
“Who could have signed?”
Samantha answered before Michael did.
“Me.”
The word came out so quietly I almost missed it.
I turned.
She had gone pale again.
“What did you sign?”
“I don’t know.”
Her hand flew to her forehead.
“Last month.”
Michael’s voice came sharply from the phone.
“What was the document called?”
“I don’t remember.”
“Try.”
Samantha closed her eyes.
“Site access something.”
My stomach dropped.
“For what?”
“Greg said it was for the wedding planner.”
She looked at me.
“He said they needed permission to bring in vendors and survey temporary power.”
Michael swore under his breath.
That frightened me more than if he had shouted.
“Find the email.”
Samantha opened her phone and searched.
Her fingers moved faster this time.
“There.”
She handed it to me.
The message came from Greg.
Please sign tonight so the site team can stay on schedule.
Attached was a document titled Limited Site Access Authorization.
I forwarded it to Michael.
He went silent for less than thirty seconds.
Then he said, “This is broader than the title suggests.”
“How broad?”
“It authorizes North Creek Hospitality Partners and its agents to enter and inspect the identified parcel for feasibility, surveying, utility assessment, environmental review, photography, and preliminary due diligence.”
I stared at Samantha.
She looked sick.
“What parcel?”
Michael answered.
“The thirty-six-acre description.”
Samantha sat down hard.
“I thought I was signing for wedding vendors.”
“I know.”
“Does it give them the right to enter?”
Michael hesitated.
“Not cleanly.”
I gripped the edge of the table.
“What does that mean?”
“It means Samantha signed an authorization concerning property she did not own.”
“So it’s worthless.”
“Not necessarily worthless.”
I closed my eyes.
“Michael.”
“It may create a dispute about reliance, especially if Greg represented that she had authority or ownership was imminent.”
“But she didn’t.”
“Correct.”
“So can they come in?”
“No.”
His answer was firm this time.
“Not today.”
I exhaled.
“Tell Ben that.”
“I’ll tell him now.”
I picked up my phone and called.
Ben answered on the first ring.
“They’re still outside.”
“Do not open the gate.”
“Wasn’t planning to.”
“Michael says Samantha had no authority to grant access.”
“Good enough for me.”
“Who are the four people?”
“One says he’s Darren Cole.”
I looked at Samantha.
Her face tightened.
“The others?”
“A woman from some engineering company, a guy with a camera case, and another man in loafers who looks offended by dirt.”
Despite the situation, I laughed.
“Keep them out.”
May you like
“And if they refuse to leave?”
“I already told them they’re on a public shoulder and can stay there as long as the sheriff’s department allows.”
