Chapter 8 - The notary
Paige Larkin called Rachel the next morning.
She was forty-six.
Mobile notary.
Based in Huntersville.
Her reaction to the deed copy was immediate.
“That is not my seal.”
Not:
Not my name.
Seal.
The commission number printed on the acknowledgment belonged to her.
The expiration date was wrong by one year.
Her signature was an imitation.
She had notarized one real Hale document before.
Three years earlier.
After Elaine’s death.
A small affidavit related to transferring a boat title into my name.
Who arranged that appointment?
Derek.
Not because suspicious at the time.
He was helping me with estate errands.
I had signed in front of Paige.
Derek had received a scanned copy afterward because he was coordinating DMV paperwork.
That document contained:
My signature.
Paige’s signature.
Notary commission details.
A copy of Elaine’s death certificate attached to the transaction file.
Enough raw material to create something convincing.
How did they get Elaine’s signature?
Old property deed.
Estate plan.
Tax returns.
Many places.
Still no proof Derek forged it himself.
Rachel said:
“Do not jump.”
I hated that phrase.
She continued:
“We know he controlled the LLC. We know he signed the loan. We do not yet know who fabricated the grantor signatures or notary block.”
Emily said:
“Who else would?”
Rachel looked at her.
“That question is emotionally obvious and legally incomplete.”
I liked Rachel for saying it.
Emily did not.
At least not then.
The sheriff’s detective obtained the original deed image from the register of deeds.
The register’s office had accepted an electronically submitted instrument through an authorized e-recording vendor.
The filing was facially complete.
County recording offices generally do not authenticate whether a dead person actually signed at the counter.
Recording creates notice.
May you like
It does not magically validate forgery.
That distinction would become the center of the civil case.
