“Finally making smart decisions,” Mom cheered.
I said nothing.
I simply smiled while my mind raced.
Jake had no idea what he’d actually done.
He thought he’d sold a simple suburban house.
In reality, he had illegally transferred property under active federal security monitoring.
My phone buzzed with a secure message from Agent Martinez.
“Need immediate debrief. Federal crime reported at your address. Are you secure?”
I typed back.
“Secure. Family gathering. Will call within the hour.”
“Everything okay?” Dad asked, noticing my phone.
“Just work.”
“Jake, can you tell me the buyers’ names? I want to send them a welcome card.”
“David and Michelle Parker.”
“Sweet couple, probably in their mid-20s.”
“They’re so excited about their first house.”
Jake was clearly proud of his matchmaking.
My phone buzzed again.
This time, it was an unknown number.
“Hello, is this Sarah Morrison?”
The voice sounded panicked, almost as if the caller were shouting.
“Yes. Who is this?”
“This is James Wheeler from Wheeler and Associates law firm.”
I walked into the kitchen for privacy.
“What can I help you with, Mr. Wheeler?”
“Why are FBI agents at our office?” he shouted into the phone.
“They have a warrant for every document related to the Morrison property sale.”
“They’re saying the transaction was fraudulent and potentially involves national security violations.”
I could hear my family in the living room still laughing and celebrating Jake’s business success.
“Mr. Wheeler, I need you to listen carefully.”
“I never authorized the sale of my house.”
“My brother forged my signature and illegally transferred property registered under federal security protocols.”
“What? But he had power of attorney documents. He had your signature.”
“Those documents are forged.”
“The signature is fake.”
“And my property is registered with federal authorities because of my security clearance.”
“Any unauthorized transaction triggers an automatic investigation.”
There was silence on the other end except for the frantic rustling of papers.
“Oh God,” Wheeler whispered.
“The FBI agents are asking about wire fraud, identity theft, and federal property protection statutes.”
“They want to know whether we verified the power of attorney.”
“Did you?”
“We accepted the documents in good faith.”
“Your brother seemed legitimate, and the signature looked authentic.”
I could hear shouting in the background of Wheeler’s office.
“Mr. Wheeler, I need to ask you something important.”
“Are the Parkers in your office right now?”
“Yes.”
“They’re here trying to understand why federal agents are confiscating all of their closing documents.”