“I want him to explain that himself.”
Mercer had requested that all communications concerning the property go through him.
Mom ignored that instruction before nine o’clock.
She arrived at Grandma’s house with Brandon and Dad.
I saw them through the front window.
Mom came up the walk first, shoulders stiff, purse tucked under one arm.
Brandon followed with his sunglasses pushed onto his head.
Dad came last.
He looked twenty years older than he had the day before.
I called Mercer.
“They’re here.”
“Put me on speaker.
Do not give them documents.
Do not agree to anything.”
I opened the door but left the security chain in place.
Mom stared at it.
“Take that off.”
“No.”
“This is ridiculous.”
“So was selling the house.”
Brandon leaned toward the doorway.
“You stopped the closing?”
That answered one question immediately.
He knew there had been a closing to stop.
“I didn’t say that,” I replied.
His face tightened.
Mom lowered her voice.
“Alyssa, let us inside so we can talk like a family.”
Behind her, Dad looked at the porch floor.
I opened the door wider but kept the chain fastened.
“Dad,” I said, “did you witness Grandma signing a power of attorney on April 2?”
His head snapped up.
Mom turned toward him before he could answer.
“Do not start interrogating your father.”
Mercer’s voice came from my phone.
“Actually, I would like him to answer.”
All three of them froze.
Mom recognized the name when I told her who was listening.
Her face drained so quickly that even Brandon noticed.
“Thomas Mercer?” she asked.
“Yes,” he said.
“Good morning.”
Mom reached for the door handle as if she could physically close the conversation.
“You have no business involving yourself in a private family matter.”
“I represented Evelyn in connection with the trust that owns this property.
That makes the attempted transfer very much my business.”
Brandon’s posture changed.
“What trust?”
I watched Mom look at him.
It lasted less than a second.
But it told me something important.
She had not told Brandon everything either.
Mercer continued calmly.
“The trust predates Evelyn’s death.
Alyssa is its sole beneficiary.
Your attempted closing has been suspended.”
