She Stole My Dress for Hawaii—Then My Father Canceled Everything

At eight the following## Chapter 9: The Family Meeting

At eight the following morning, my father called a family meeting.

Not the kind Phyllis used to organize before holidays, when everyone was expected to smile for photographs morning, my father called a family meeting.

Not the kind Phyllis used to organize before holidays, when everyone was expected to smile for photographs and pretend that nothing unpleasant had happened.

This meeting would have and pretend that nothing unpleasant had happened.

This meeting would have an attorney, an independent accountant, a stack of financial records, and no opportunity for anyone to rewrite an attorney, an independent accountant, a stack of financial records, and no opportunity for anyone to rewrite the truth.

Dad made one instruction clear.

“Everyone who has information about the trust, the property company, the truth.

Dad made one instruction clear.

“Everyone who has information about the trust, the property company, or the disputed documents will attend. Nobody will destroy anything, and nobody will pressure anyone else to change their account of what happened.””

Phyllis sat at the breakfast table when he delivered the or the disputed documents will attend. Nobody will destroy anything, and nobody will pressure anyone else to change their account of what happened.””

Phyllis sat at the breakfast table when he delivered the message.

She wore a cream cardigan over dark trousers, and her usually immaculate bob looked as though she'd run her fingers through it all night.

“Michael, do we message.

She wore a cream cardigan over dark trousers, and her usually immaculate bob looked as though she'd run her fingers through it all night.

“Michael, do we really need to do this in front of everyone?””

“Yes.””

“Your daughter doesn't need to hear every detail of our marriage.””

I was standing by the kitchen counter, pouring coffee into a mug.

Dad turned toward her.

“This stopped being a really need to do this in front of everyone?””

“Yes.””

“Your daughter doesn't need to hear every detail of our marriage.””

I was standing by the kitchen counter, pouring coffee into a mug.

Dad turned toward her.

“This stopped being a private marital disagreement when money was taken from a trust intended for Maya.””

Phyllis's eyes narrowed.

“You've made your decision, then.””

“I've decided to find out what happened.””

“You've already decided I'm guilty.””

“No. I've decided that the private marital disagreement when money was taken from a trust intended for Maya.””

Phyllis's eyes narrowed.

“You've made your decision, then.””

“I've decided to find out what happened.””

“You've already decided I'm guilty.””

“No. I've decided that the documents deserve answers.””

Brianna entered the kitchen carrying her laptop.

She didn't look at her mother.

“Robert said the accountant will be documents deserve answers.””

Brianna entered the kitchen carrying her laptop.

She didn't look at her mother.

“Robert said the accountant will be here at nine.””

Phyllis's head snapped toward her.

“You spoke to Robert?””

“He asked me to preserve the emails from the company account.””

“And you gave them to him?””

“Yes.””

“You had no right to hand over private family correspondence without discussing here at nine.””

Phyllis's head snapped toward her.

“You spoke to Robert?””

“He asked me to preserve the emails from the company account.””

“And you gave them to him?””

“Yes.””

“You had no right to hand over private family correspondence without discussing it with me.””

Brianna stopped beside the table.

“Mom, you used my identity to register a company. You let me believe I owned an investment account. You moved it with me.””

Brianna stopped beside the table.

“Mom, you used my identity to register a company. You let me believe I owned an investment account. You moved money through an account in my name.

What part of that made you think I should keep your money through an account in my name. What part of that made you think I should keep your secrets?””

Phyllis stood.

“Everything I did was for you!””

Brianna's voice trembled.

“Then why am I the one who's terrified of what happens next?””

For a moment, Phyll secrets?””

Phyllis stood.

“Everything I did was for you!””

Brianna's voice trembled.

“Then why am I the one who's terrified of what happens next?””

For a moment, Phyllis looked as though she might strike back with another accusation.

Instead, she picked up her coffee and walked out of the kitchen.

is looked as though she might strike back with another accusation.

Instead, she picked up her coffee and walked out of the kitchen.

Brianna watched her go.

Then she whispered, “I used to think she couldBrianna watched her go.

Then she whispered, “I used to think she could fix anything.””

I touched her shoulder.

“Sometimes the hardest thing is realizing that the person you relied on is the person you need protection from.””

She nodded, staring at the doorway.

At nine, Robert arrived with an independent forensic accountant named Denise Walker.

fix anything.””

I touched her shoulder.

“Sometimes the hardest thing is realizing that the person you relied on is the person you need protection from.””

She nodded, staring at the doorway.

At nine, Robert arrived with an independent forensic accountant named Denise Walker.

Denise was in her early fifties, with short natural hair, a charcoal suit, and a habit of asking questions without softening them to spareDenise was in her early fifties, with short natural hair, a charcoal suit, and a habit of asking questions without softening them to spare anyone's feelings.

She set up at the dining table, opened her laptop, and began anyone's feelings.

She set up at the dining table, opened her laptop, and began reviewing the documents.

Dad sat at the head of the table.

I sat to his right.

Brianna sat beside reviewing the documents.

Dad sat at the head of the table.

I sat to his right.

Brianna sat beside me.

Phyllis took the chair opposite us.

Robert placed the original trust papers, the disputed waiver, and the refinancing application in separate folders.

Denise examined the transfer records first.

“The two hundred and forty thousand dollars appears to me.

Phyllis took the chair opposite us.

Robert placed the original trust papers, the disputed waiver, and the refinancing application in separate folders.

Denise examined the transfer records first.

“The two hundred and forty thousand dollars appears to have moved through three accounts,” she said.

“The initial transfer originated from an account associated with the family trust. It went into an account registered in Brianna's name, then portions were have moved through three accounts,” she said.

“The initial transfer originated from an account associated with the family trust. It went into an account registered in Brianna's name, then portions were transferred elsewhere.””

Dad leaned forward.

“Can you identify the final destinations?””

“Not all of them yet. Some transactions involve domestic accounts. Others appear to have passed through an investment platform. We'll need additional records.””

transferred elsewhere.””

Dad leaned forward.

“Can you identify the final destinations?””

“Not all of them yet. Some transactions involve domestic accounts. Others appear to have passed through an investment platform. We'll need additional records.””

Phyllis folded her arms.

“I told you the money was being used to settle legitimate obligations.””

Denise looked at her.

“Whose obligations?””

“My personal debts.””

“Were you authorizedPhyllis folded her arms.

“I told you the money was being used to settle legitimate obligations.””

Denise looked at her.

“Whose obligations?””

“My personal debts.””

“Were you authorized to use the trust to pay them?””

Phyllis hesitated.

“No.””

“Then whether the debts were legitimate doesn't answer the question.””

Phyllis looked down.

Denise continued.

“ to use the trust to pay them?””

Phyllis hesitated.

“No.””

“Then whether the debts were legitimate doesn't answer the question.””

Phyllis looked down.

Denise continued.

“Several payments also appear to correspond with purchases made through a jewelry retailer, a property management company, and a luxury travel service. We need supporting invoices beforeSeveral payments also appear to correspond with purchases made through a jewelry retailer, a property management company, and a luxury travel service. We need supporting invoices before we can determine which expenses were personal and which, if any, were properly chargeable to the trust.””

we can determine which expenses were personal and which, if any, were properly chargeable to the trust.””

Brianna slowly turned toward her mother.

“The Hawaii trip?””

Phyllis didn't respond.

Denise glanced at another page.

“The travel deposit was paid from a household account. I don't see evidence that the vacation itself was funded directly by the trust, but we'll need to trace theBrianna slowly turned toward her mother.

“The Hawaii trip?””

Phyllis didn't respond.

Denise glanced at another page.

“The travel deposit was paid from a household account. I don't see evidence that the vacation itself was funded directly by the trust, but we'll need to trace the related transfers before drawing conclusions.””

I thought of the stolen dress and the handbag.

Twelve thousand dollars spent on a vacation while Grandma's money was disappearing.

It wasn't the amount that related transfers before drawing conclusions.””

I thought of the stolen dress and the handbag.

Twelve thousand dollars spent on a vacation while Grandma's money was disappearing.

It wasn't the amount that hurt most.

It was the ease with which Phyllis had expected everyone to accept that the money was hers to use.

Robert moved the disputed waiver to the center of the table.

“This document hurt most.

It was the ease with which Phyllis had expected everyone to accept that the money was hers to use.

Robert moved the disputed waiver to the center of the table.

“This document is particularly important. Maya denies signing it, and the financial institution has not accepted it as valid.””

Denise examined the signature is particularly important. Maya denies signing it, and the financial institution has not accepted it as valid.””

Denise examined the signature.

“Do we have known samples of Maya's signature from the same period?””

“I can provide college records, employment documents, and bank.

“Do we have known samples of Maya's signature from the same period?””

“I can provide college records, employment documents, and bank paperwork,” I said.

“Good. We'll preserve those and arrange an appropriate handwriting examination if needed.””

She turned to Bri paperwork,” I said.

“Good. We'll preserve those and arrange an appropriate handwriting examination if needed.””

She turned to Brianna.

“Do you have any information about the company registered in your name?””

Brianna opened her laptop.

“I found the original emails from Mom. I also found messages between her and Uncle Raymond.””

Phyllis stiffanna.

“Do you have any information about the company registered in your name?””

Brianna opened her laptop.

“I found the original emails from Mom. I also found messages between her and Uncle Raymond.””

Phyllis stiffened.

“Brianna, don't.””

Brianna looked directly at her.

“You told me to tell the truth.””

She handedened.

“Brianna, don't.””

Brianna looked directly at her.

“You told me to tell the truth.””

She handed the laptop to Robert.

The emails showed that Raymond had been involved in discussions about the refinancing arrangement. Several messages referred to the company's registration, the proposed loan, and the need to settle the beneficiary issue first the laptop to Robert.

One email, sent by Raymond to Phyllis, read:

*We cannot proceed until the account issue.

One email, sent by Raymond to Phyllis, read:

We cannot proceed until the account issue is resolved. If the waiver is accepted, the remaining assets can be consolidated. After that, the property deal becomes straightforward.

Denise read is resolved. If the waiver is accepted, the remaining assets can be consolidated. After that, the property deal becomes straightforward.*

Denise read the message twice.

“This suggests a coordinated plan, but we still need the underlying records and testimony to establish who did what.””

Dad's hands tightened around the message twice.

“This suggests a coordinated plan, but we still need the underlying records and testimony to establish who did what.””

Dad's hands tightened around the edge of the table.

“Raymond has been in this house dozens of times.””

Robert nodded.

“And we now have reason to ask him to explain his role.””

Phyll the edge of the table.

“Raymond has been in this house dozens of times.””

Robert nodded.

“And we now have reason to ask him to explain his role.””

Phyllis shook her head.

“You're making this sound like some criminal conspiracy. Raymond wasis shook her head.

“You're making this sound like some criminal conspiracy. Raymond was trying to help me.””

Denise remained composed.

“Then he should have no difficulty explaining the transactions.””

Phyllis looked away.

trying to help me.””

Denise remained composed.

“Then he should have no difficulty explaining the transactions.””

Phyllis looked away.

I watched her carefully.

She wasn't the confident woman who had once pointed at me in the hallway and declared that my father spent twelve thousand dollars on her vacation.

She looked tired, cornered, and frightenedI watched her carefully.

She wasn't the confident woman who had once pointed at me in the hallway and declared that my father spent twelve thousand dollars on her vacation.

She looked tired, cornered, and frightened.

But I couldn't let that change what had happened.

Denise continued reviewing the property records.

“The refinancing application lists the mansion as collateral. The submitted company documents identify Brianna as manager, but we haven't established that she knowingly.

But I couldn't let that change what had happened.

Denise continued reviewing the property records.

“The refinancing application lists the mansion as collateral. The submitted company documents identify Brianna as manager, but we haven't established that she knowingly authorized the application. The lender has placed the application under review.””

Dad nodded.

“I want the property protected.””

“Your attorney can pursue the appropriate safeguards. We should also obtain official authorized the application. The lender has placed the application under review.””

Dad nodded.

“I want the property protected.””

“Your attorney can pursue the appropriate safeguards. We should also obtain official copies of the title records and check whether any unauthorized instrument has been recorded.””

Robert made a note.

Then Denise reached copies of the title records and check whether any unauthorized instrument has been recorded.””

Robert made a note.

Then Denise reached the final folder.

The one containing Grandma's will.

She read the document carefully, comparing its provisions with the existing trust records.

“This will needs a separate legal review,” she said.

“It appears to clarify your grandmother's intentions, but we the final folder.

The one containing Grandma's will.

She read the document carefully, comparing its provisions with the existing trust records.

“This will needs a separate legal review,” she said.

“It appears to clarify your grandmother's intentions, but we cannot assume it automatically overrides the trust or every earlier estate instrument.””

Dad nodded.

“Understood.””

“However, the documents we have already examined provide substantial cannot assume it automatically overrides the trust or every earlier estate instrument.””

Dad nodded.

“Understood.””

“However, the documents we have already examined provide substantial grounds to investigate the disputed transfers and the purported beneficiary waiver.””

She closed the folder.

“That's the immediate priority.””

The meeting continued for another hour.

Questions became more specific.

Dates were grounds to investigate the disputed transfers and the purported beneficiary waiver.””

She closed the folder.

“That's the immediate priority.””

The meeting continued for another hour.

Questions became more specific.

Dates were compared.

Account numbers were cross-checked.

Every time Phyllis attempted to answer a question with a general statement compared.

Account numbers were cross-checked.

Every time Phyllis attempted to answer a question with a general statement about protecting her family, Denise brought the discussion back to the records.

Finally, Robert placed a printed email in front of her.

“Mrs. Carter, did you send this message to Raymond?””

Phyll about protecting her family, Denise brought the discussion back to the records.

Finally, Robert placed a printed email in front of her.

“Mrs. Carter, did you send this message to Raymond?””

Phyllis looked at it.

Her face drained of color.

The email had been sent six weeks earlier.

*Once Maya's interest is removed from the account, weis looked at it.

Her face drained of color.

The email had been sent six weeks earlier.

Once Maya's interest is removed from the account, we can settle my debts without Michael interfering. He'll never agree if he knows where the money is going.

Phyllis stared at the page.

Dad didn't speak.

Brianna's mouth fell open.

“Mom?””

Phyllis rubbed her forehead can settle my debts without Michael interfering. He'll never agree if he knows where the money is going.*

Phyllis stared at the page.

Dad didn't speak.

Brianna's mouth fell open.

“Mom?””

Phyllis rubbed her forehead.

“I was desperate.””

Dad's voice was low.

“You planned to hide the transactions from me.””

“I needed time.””

“You planned to remove Maya's.

“I was desperate.””

Dad's voice was low.

“You planned to hide the transactions from me.””

“I needed time.””

“You planned to remove Maya's inheritance so you could pay your debts.””

“I was going to repay it!””

“With what?””

She looked at him, tears gathering in her eyes.

“I don't know.””

The admission seemed to hollow her out.

For inheritance so you could pay your debts.””

“I was going to repay it!””

“With what?””

She looked at him, tears gathering in her eyes.

“I don't know.””

The admission seemed to hollow her out.

For the first time, she wasn't pretending to have a plan.

She had taken money, concealed debts, and relied on a series of lies to postpone the moment the first time, she wasn't pretending to have a plan.

She had taken money, concealed debts, and relied on a series of lies to postpone the moment when she would have to admit she couldn't fix the damage.

Denise gathered her notes.

“I recommend that all further financial when she would have to admit she couldn't fix the damage.

Denise gathered her notes.

“I recommend that all further financial activity involving these accounts be handled through the appropriate legal channels. No one should move funds or attempt to resolve the disputed transactions privately.””

Robert agreed.

Dad looked at Phyllis.

“You will cooperate with the investigation.””

She nodded faint activity involving these accounts be handled through the appropriate legal channels. No one should move funds or attempt to resolve the disputed transactions privately.””

Robert agreed.

Dad looked at Phyllis.

“You will cooperate with the investigation.””

She nodded faintly.

“And you will not contact Maya about changing her account of events.””

Phyllis looked at me.

“I wouldly.

“And you will not contact Maya about changing her account of events.””

Phyllis looked at me.

“I would never—”

Dad interrupted her.

“You've already asked her to accept things that weren't true. That stops now.””

The meeting ended shortly before noon.

Den never—”

Dad interrupted her.

“You've already asked her to accept things that weren't true. That stops now.””

The meeting ended shortly before noon.

Denise left with copies of the financial records, and Robert remained behind to discuss the next steps with Dad.

I went upstairs to change.

When I returned, Brianna was standing near the grand staircase with my handbag in her hands.

She lookedise left with copies of the financial records, and Robert remained behind to discuss the next steps with Dad.

I went upstairs to change.

When I returned, Brianna was standing near the grand staircase with my handbag in her hands.

She looked up when she heard me.

“I wanted to give you something.””

She held out the bag.

“I had the clasp repaired. I paid for it myself.””

I took it cautiously.

The clasp closed up when she heard me.

“I wanted to give you something.””

She held out the bag.

“I had the clasp repaired. I paid for it myself.””

I took it cautiously.

The clasp closed smoothly, and the loose stitching near the inner pocket had been repaired.

“You didn't have to do that.””

“I know.””

She took a breath.

“I also called the designer who made your dress. smoothly, and the loose stitching near the inner pocket had been repaired.

“You didn't have to do that.””

“I know.””

She took a breath.

“I also called the designer who made your dress. I asked whether it could be repaired or whether they could recreate it. They said they need to examine the fabric first.””

I looked at her.

“Why are you doing this?””

“Because I can't I asked whether it could be repaired or whether they could recreate it. They said they need to examine the fabric first.””

I looked at her.

“Why are you doing this?””

“Because I can't undo what I did, but I can stop pretending it didn't matter.””

Her eyes shone.

“I know you don't trust me. I wouldn't trust me either.””

I ran my thumb undo what I did, but I can stop pretending it didn't matter.””

Her eyes shone.

“I know you don't trust me. I wouldn't trust me either.””

I ran my thumb over the repaired clasp.

“I appreciate the effort, Brianna. But this isn't something you can fix with money.””

“I know.””

“And I don't want you paying for things just because you feel guilty. I want you to understand why you over the repaired clasp.

“I appreciate the effort, Brianna. But this isn't something you can fix with money.””

“I know.””

“And I don't want you paying for things just because you feel guilty. I want you to understand why you were wrong.””

She nodded.

“I do.””

I studied her face.

“Then start by refusing to let anyone use your name without your knowledge again.””

“I will.””

For were wrong.””

She nodded.

“I do.””

I studied her face.

“Then start by refusing to let anyone use your name without your knowledge again.””

“I will.””

For a moment, we stood together in the hallway where everything had begun.

The chandelier still glittered above us.

The sunlight still poured through the windows.

But the house felt different.

Not because the truth a moment, we stood together in the hallway where everything had begun.

The chandelier still glittered above us.

The sunlight still poured through the windows.

But the house felt different.

Not because the truth had made everything better.

Because the lies no longer had the entire house to themselves.

Brianna walked toward the sitting room.

I remained by the staircase, looking down at the handbag in my had made everything better.

Because the lies no longer had the entire house to themselves.

Brianna walked toward the sitting room.

I remained by the staircase, looking down at the handbag in my hands.

Then Dad called from the study.

“Maya? Can you come here for a minute?””

I joined him.

Robert had left a sealed envelope on the desk hands.

Then Dad called from the study.

“Maya? Can you come here for a minute?””

I joined him.

Robert had left a sealed envelope on the desk.

The return address belonged to Raymond's attorney.

Dad opened it carefully.

Inside was a formal letter stating that Raymond denied any wrongdoing in connection with the proposed refinancing arrangement. He claimed.

The return address belonged to Raymond's attorney.

Dad opened it carefully.

Inside was a formal letter stating that Raymond denied any wrongdoing in connection with the proposed refinancing arrangement. He claimed he had acted on information provided by Phyllis and believed the company was authorized to proceed.

Attached was a copy of a signed declaration.

The declaration stated that Phyllis had personally assured he had acted on information provided by Phyllis and believed the company was authorized to proceed.

Attached was a copy of a signed declaration.

The declaration stated that Phyllis had personally assured Raymond that I had voluntarily waived my inheritance and that Dad had approved the refinancing.

Dad read it in silence.

I looked at the signature.

It was Phyllis's.

“She's blaming Raymond that I had voluntarily waived my inheritance and that Dad had approved the refinancing.

Dad read it in silence.

I looked at the signature.

It was Phyllis's.

“She's blaming everything on herself,” I said.

“Perhaps she's trying to protect her brother,” Dad replied.

“Or perhaps everything on herself,” I said.

“Perhaps she's trying to protect her brother,” Dad replied.

“Or perhaps the declaration is incomplete. We need to verify the facts.””

He turned to the final page.

There was a handwritten note from Raymond.

*Michael, I believe Phyll the declaration is incomplete. We need to verify the facts.””

He turned to the final page.

There was a handwritten note from Raymond.

Michael, I believe Phyllis has already told you everything. If you want to know why she was so desperate, ask her what happenedis has already told you everything. If you want to know why she was so desperate, ask her what happened in Miami last spring.

I frowned.

“Miami?””

Dad stared at the note.

Then he picked up his phone and searched his old messages.

After a moment, he found a text from Phyllis dated eleven months earlier.

I need to go in Miami last spring.

I frowned.

“Miami?””

Dad stared at the note.

Then he picked up his phone and searched his old messages.

After a moment, he found a text from Phyllis dated eleven months earlier.

I need to go to Miami for two days to resolve a family matter. I'll explain when to Miami for two days to resolve a family matter. I'll explain when I get back.

Below it was his reply.

Of course. Let me know when you arrive.

Dad lowered the phone.

“She told me she was visiting her sister.””

I looked at I get back.*

Below it was his reply.

Of course. Let me know when you arrive.

Dad lowered the phone.

“She told me she was visiting her sister.””

I looked at the letter again.

“What happened in Miami?””

Dad called Robert and read him the note.

Robert was silent for a moment.

Then he asked a question that made my stomach tighten.

“Michael, do you know whether Phyllis has any other property or financial accounts that haven't been disclosed?””

Dad shook his head.

the letter again.

“What happened in Miami?””

Dad called Robert and read him the note.

Robert was silent for a moment.

Then he asked a question that made my stomach tighten.

“Michael, do you know whether Phyllis has any other property or financial accounts that haven't been disclosed?””

Dad shook his head.

“Not that I'm aware of.””

“Then we need to find out. The records suggest the trust wasn't the only source of money involved.””

He paused“Not that I'm aware of.””

“Then we need to find out. The records suggest the trust wasn't the only source of money involved.””

He paused.

“And I think we need to identify who actually received the funds from the disputed transactions.””

Dad looked toward the hallway where Phyllis had disappeared.

For.

“And I think we need to identify who actually received the funds from the disputed transactions.””

Dad looked toward the hallway where Phyllis had disappeared.

For the first time, I wondered whether she had been trying to pay off debts she had created herself—or whether someone else had been controlling her, using her fear and desperation to reach the the first time, I wondered whether she had been trying to pay off debts she had created herself—or whether someone else had been controlling her, using her fear and desperation to reach the money Grandma had left me.

That evening, Robert sent Dad a preliminary report.

The report confirmed that the disputed waiver had been submitted through an account connected to Leonard Price. money Grandma had left me.

That evening, Robert sent Dad a preliminary report.

The report confirmed that the disputed waiver had been submitted through an account connected to Leonard Price. It also identified several transfers to a business registered in Miami.

The business had been established shortly It also identified several transfers to a business registered in Miami.

The business had been established shortly before the first large transfer from Brianna's account.

Its registered owner was Raymond.

Dad read the report twice.

Then he looked at me.

“Your grandmother was right about one thing.””

“What?””

“The money isn't the whole story.””

He before the first large transfer from Brianna's account.

Its registered owner was Raymond.

Dad read the report twice.

Then he looked at me.

“Your grandmother was right about one thing.””

“What?””

“The money isn't the whole story.””

He closed the laptop.

“Tomorrow, we're going to find out what happened in Miami.””

I looked at the repaired closed the laptop.

“Tomorrow, we're going to find out what happened in Miami.””

I looked at the repaired handbag on the desk.

For six years, I had believed the worst thing Phyllis had done was accuse me of stealing from Grandma.

Now I knew she'd been hiding handbag on the desk.

For six years, I had believed the worst thing Phyllis had done was accuse me of stealing from Grandma.

Now I knew she'd been hiding something much larger.

And the next morning, when Robert arrived with the financial records from Miami, the first page revealed a transaction that made Dad something much larger.

And the next morning, when Robert arrived with the financial records from Miami, the first page revealed a transaction that made Dad rise so quickly his chair struck the wall.

Because the money hadn't simply rise so quickly his chair struck the wall.

Because the money hadn't simply disappeared into debt.

A portion of it had been used to purchase a property.

And the deed listed two owners.

Phyllis Carter.

And Michael Carter.

My father stared at his own name.

“I never bought this property,” he said.

Robert turned to the attached disappeared into debt.

A portion of it had been used to purchase a property.

And the deed listed two owners.

Phyllis Carter.