Carolina fidgeted with the clasp on her watch, trying to ignore how clammy she felt or the fact her heart was racing in the same manner it had in the attorney’s office that day. She swallowed.
“What’s wrong?”
“Well when you took out the loan it was specifically for a new roof. That means the line of credit is only supposed to go for anything to do with the roof. Like shingles, labor, etc.”
Carolina nodded. “I know.”
Rebecca folded her hands in front of her on the desk. “Carolina I know this must be a difficult time for you. Newly divorced and figuring out how to live and what to do. But when you signed for the line of credit it meant the money could not be used for anything else.”
“I know. And that’s all I’ve done with the money. Rebecca what exactly are you saying?”
Rebecca cocked her head. “Have you used the funds for the line of credit on anything else? Say a new mattress and bedroom suite at Second Hand Furniture in town?”
“No. I only used the funds for the roof.”
“Actually you’re the one who paid for it.”
“What?” Carolina’s heart thumped like a two-year-old pounding on a drum. “I—I don’t understand. There must be a mistake.”
“I noticed a check was written out of the line of credit account and it was made out to the furniture place. When I called and asked about it, they said an older woman came in and bought a new bedroom suite and mattress. It was the most expensive bedroom suite they had. It was around five thousand dollars.”
Nausea washed over her. “Oh my gosh.”
“When I asked the manager to describe the woman, the description didn’t match you.” Rebecca tapped her pen on her desk. “Carolina, it sounds like your ex-mother-in-law is the one who forged a check in your name. From the look on your face, you had no knowledge of it.”
“I can’t believe my ex-mother-in-law did this to me.” She looked at Rebecca. “What does this mean?”
“It means you can press charges. Since she literally stole your checks.”
“What about the roof?”
“About that. You’ll still have to pay the entire loan off and because she used your funds, you are now five thousand short to pay Thomas. We can rectify this but it will take some time.”
“Time is not something I have.” She buried her face in her hands. “I can’t believe this.”
“Carolina I’m so sorry. The bank has every legal standing to press charges against Janice for fraud. But since we are a small town, we may not have to get the authorities involved. I wanted to speak to you first. If she pays everything back then we can fix this without legal intervention.”
“I’m not even sure where she is. She left.” Just when she was thought she was figuring out her life, this happens.
“So I need five thousand to finish the roof.” She looked at Rebecca.
“That’s right. I can try to see if the bank would be willing to extend the loan to cover what you need.”
“No. Don’t do that. I don’t want to be in any further debt.”
“Well, you could sell the lake house. If you think you’re not able to keep it up. I know people are always looking for a lake house.”
Where would I go? She said to herself. She straightened her shoulders and stood. “Thank you for letting me know about all this. I’ve got to get to work now. And figure out how to get five thousand dollars fast.”
She walked out of the bank shoulders hunched and soul crushed.
Chapter 39
By the time Carolina got home, Thomas had already left for the day. Phoenix was waiting for her at the door, his tail thumping against the steps.
As she walked up to the door even the excitement of the dog couldn’t put a smile on her face.
She opened the door and stepped inside. Her phone rang just as she put her purse on the kitchen island.
