Fallon’s face hardened.
“You always have an explanation.”
“Yes.
It is called context.”
She pushed back from the desk and stood.
“The podcast is about emotional truth.
It isn’t a courtroom transcript.”
“You used my real voice.”
“I never used your name.”
“You identified me as your husband’s widowed mother in Vermont.
You described my house, Warren’s death, Ellis’s childhood, and the money I gave you for your wedding.”
Her eyes flickered.
That was when I understood the papers on my desk were not merely about permission.
A sponsor or hosting service had asked Fallon to prove that the woman in the recordings had consented.
She had come to manufacture that proof.
I lifted the unsigned document.
It claimed I had reviewed the episodes, understood that my voice would be edited for narrative purposes, and voluntarily released all claims connected to its use.
“You planned to sign this for me.”
“I was going to bring it to you.”
“With my signature already practiced?”
Her composure cracked.
“You have no idea how much pressure I’m under.
People are finally listening to me.
Sponsors are interested.
The show is growing.
One complaint from you could destroy a year of work.”
“You built that work with pieces of my voice.”
“You think this is all about you.”
“No, Fallon.
You made it about me.”
The front door opened.
Ellis called from the hallway.
Fallon’s head turned sharply.
“Did you ask him to come?” she whispered.
“I have not spoken to him today.”
Ellis appeared in the office doorway carrying two grocery bags.
He looked at Fallon behind Warren’s desk, the copied signatures, and the folder under my hand.
“What’s going on?”
Fallon answered immediately.
“Your mother is accusing me of forgery because I was trying to help her complete a release form.”
Ellis looked at me.
“A release for what?”
I pressed play on my phone.
Fallon’s recorded voice filled the office.
“Yes, I’m Mrs.
Keen’s personal assistant.
She approved the recordings.”
Ellis lowered the grocery bags to the floor.
For once, Fallon did not have a sentence ready.
I played the next part.
“I can send a written confirmation with her signature today.”
Ellis stared at the birthday card with my circled signature.
“Fallon,” he said quietly, “what recordings?”
She stepped toward him.
“The podcast clips.
You knew I used family audio.”
