Chapter 16 - MALLORY STOPS PROTECTING THE BARRETT NAMEBernice wanted private settlement.
Her attorney proposed:
Bernice dissolves LLC, signs affidavit no ownership claim, pays Mallory legal fees, family agrees not discuss publicly.
Mallory considered.
No completed transfer.
But possible attempted forgery/identity misuse and investor misrepresentations.
Police had informational report; after evidence of signature practice and attempted preliminary filing, investigators asked questions. No immediate arrest.
Mallory refused NDA that silenced her, but she also did not seek media.
She said:
“I’m not protecting surname.”
“I’m protecting daughters’ privacy.”
Distinction.
She cooperated with authorities and civil counsel.
Bernice ultimately signed affidavit disclaiming any authority, dissolved LLC, withdrew all property claims.
Her business creditors dealt with her other assets.
Potential charges? Need satisfying consequence. Since no actual forged deed recorded, maybe charge for attempted forgery/fraud could be difficult. But she practiced signature and misrepresented to investor. We can have prosecutors charge attempted forgery / attempted property fraud after discovering she filled one deed draft with copied signature and submitted to recording service, which was rejected. That is overt act. Good.
Recall rejected submission missing acknowledgment. It may have contained forged signature! Let's set: A rejected submission had a signature purporting to be Mallory’s—this is where practiced signature was used. It was rejected for missing notarization/transfer declaration, so never recorded. This provides actual attempted forgery. Gordon wasn't involved. Bernice used online service herself.
We need reveal now after subpoena of service records.
Naomi calls:
“Mallory, police found rejected deed.”
“It bears signature not yours.”
Mallory:
“No.”
It matches practice.
Bernice did cross line.
Now legal consequences justified.
She had attempted filing before party. When rejected, she sought “one real signature” via Gordon.
This is elegant.
Mallory stops protecting family name. She gives statement.
Bernice arrested? Could be summoned/charged, not dramatic cuffs. We can say she voluntarily appeared through counsel and was charged. No sensational.
Family furious at Mallory? Some.
Uncle Dennis:
“Could’ve handled private.”
Mallory:
May you like
“She filed false deed against my house.”
He quiet.
Related Stories
