“There’s nothing federal about it.”
“My security clearance requires registration of my primary residence with federal authorities.”
“Any unauthorized transaction triggers an automatic investigation.”
“Security clearance for what?” Dad asked.
“You said you worked in administrative oversight.”
I looked around the room at my family’s confused faces.
“I work in financial crimes investigation.”
“International money laundering, terrorism financing, organized crime networks.”
“My property is monitored as part of national security protocols.”
Jake sat down hard.
“You’re serious?”
“The buyers’ lawyer just called because FBI agents are confiscating the closing documents.”
“The buyers spent their life savings on a house they can’t legally own because the sale was fraudulent.”
“But I have power of attorney,” Jake said weakly.
“You forged the power of attorney.”
“The signature is fake.”
“Jake, we both know you’ve always been good at copying signatures.”
My phone buzzed with another secure message.
“Federal agents en route. Ten minutes.”
I looked at Jake as he began to understand the magnitude of what he had done.
“Jake, federal agents are going to arrive very soon.”
“They’re going to arrest you for wire fraud, identity theft, and illegal transfer of federally monitored property.”
“You need to cooperate completely and get a lawyer immediately.”
“Arrest?” Mom gasped.
“But he was trying to help.”
“Mom, Jake forged my signature and illegally sold my house.”
“The fact that he believed he was helping doesn’t change the crimes he committed.”
Jake stared at the documents in his folder as if he were seeing them clearly for the first time.
The forged power of attorney.
The fake mortgage default notices he’d created to justify his actions.
The identity theft committed while impersonating me to buyers and professionals.
“I didn’t mean for this to happen,” he whispered.
“I know.”
“But it happened.”
“You took a $300,000 asset and sold it without permission.”
“That’s a serious crime regardless of your intentions.”
Car doors slammed outside.
Through the front window, I saw unmarked black SUVs pulling into the driveway.
“Sarah Morrison?” a voice called from the front door.
“In here.”
Four FBI agents entered the living room with their badges displayed.
Agent Martinez nodded at me professionally.
“Agent Morrison,” he said formally.
“Is this the subject?”
I looked at Jake, who had gone completely pale.
“This is my brother, Jake Morrison.”
“He’s the one who forged the documents and executed the illegal property transfer.”
“Jake Morrison,” Agent Martinez said.
“You’re under arrest for wire fraud, identity theft, and illegal transfer of federally monitored property.”