Chapter 5 - Reed Property Holdings
Aunt Kendra drove.
Tasha sat in the passenger seat with both hands wrapped around her phone while the city slid past the windows.
They reached the brick duplex shortly before ten.
The porch light was on.
Malcolm’s mother, Loretta Reed, opened the door wearing a burgundy robe and an expression that told Tasha Malcolm had already called.
“Tasha.”
“We need to talk.”
Loretta looked at Kendra.
“This is family business.”
Kendra smiled without warmth.
“That excuse already cost me three thousand dollars.”
Loretta’s mouth tightened.
She let them inside.
The duplex smelled like furniture polish and cinnamon.
Family photographs covered the wall.
Malcolm at twelve.
Devon at seventeen.
Their late father smiling beside both boys.
Tasha had always understood why Malcolm loved the house.
What she did not understand was why he had risked their marriage for it.
Loretta folded her arms.
“Malcolm told me you found out about the loan.”
Tasha almost laughed.
“You say that like I found Christmas gifts.”
“Lower your voice.”
“No.”
“Tasha—”
“Did you know the loan was in my name?”
Loretta’s silence answered.
Kendra swore under her breath.
Tasha felt something inside her harden.
“How much of my money went into this property?”
Loretta sat down.
“Your money?”
“Yes. Mine.”
“You and Malcolm are married.”
“That does not make my identity community property.”
Loretta’s eyes flashed.
“Watch how you speak to me.”
Kendra stepped forward.
“No, Loretta. You watch how you speak to her.”
Loretta turned.
“Nobody asked you here.”
“Tasha did.”
The room went quiet.
Tasha remained standing.
“What happens Friday?”
Loretta sighed.
“The property is being refinanced.”
“Why?”
“To clear the tax debt and repair the downstairs unit.”
“And Malcolm gets what?”
“His share later.”
“Where is that written?”
Loretta looked irritated.
“Everything doesn’t need a contract between family.”
Tasha stared at her.
“Apparently everything does.”
The front door opened.
Devon Reed entered carrying a leather folder.
He stopped when he saw them.
“Oh, hell.”
Tasha looked at the folder.
“What’s that?”
Devon glanced at Loretta.
Nothing.
Kendra walked over and held out her hand.
“Let me see.”
Devon laughed.
“You’re not my lawyer.”
“No. But I know when somebody is hiding paper.”
Loretta stood.
“This conversation is over.”
Tasha did not move.
“Then I’ll call the lender tonight and report the loan.”
Loretta’s face changed.
Devon’s too.
There.
Power.
Small but real.
“What do you want?” Devon asked.
“The truth.”
He looked at his mother.
Loretta nodded reluctantly.
Devon opened the folder.
Inside were refinancing documents.
Tasha scanned the first page.
Property owner: LORETTA REED.
Additional guarantor: DEVON REED.
No Malcolm.
No RPH ownership interest for him.
No percentage.
Nothing.
Tasha looked up.
“Where’s Malcolm?”
Loretta spoke carefully.
“He will receive his interest after closing.”
“Where is that written?”
“It isn’t finalized.”
Kendra took the pages.
“Who owns RPH Holdings?”
Devon shifted.
Loretta answered.
“Devon and I.”
“What percentage does Malcolm own?”
“He’s family.”
“That wasn’t the question.”
Loretta’s eyes narrowed.
“Zero right now.”
Tasha closed her eyes.
Her husband had stolen from her to invest in property he did not own through a company he did not own.
Kendra flipped another page.
Then stopped.
“What?”
Kendra read silently.
Her expression sharpened.
“This refinance isn’t adding Malcolm.”
Loretta moved toward her.
“Give me that.”
Kendra stepped away.
“This cash-out amount is ninety-two thousand dollars.”
Tasha looked at her.
“Ninety-two?”
Devon reached for the folder.
Kendra held it behind her back.
“You’re taking cash out of the property.”
“For repairs,” Devon snapped.
“Thirty thousand is labeled debt consolidation.”
Silence.
Tasha looked at Loretta.
“So Malcolm gave you money to save the house.”
Loretta said nothing.
“You encouraged him to borrow in my name.”
“I told my son to do what men do.”
Tasha stared.
“And what is that?”
“Build something for his family.”
“He was destroying his family.”
Loretta’s expression hardened.
“He was trying to create generational wealth.”
“With fraudulent debt?”
“Don’t use that word.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re angry.”
“No. Because it’s accurate.”
The front door opened again.
Malcolm entered.
He stopped when he saw the paperwork in Kendra’s hands.
“Mom?”
Loretta looked away.
Malcolm walked toward Devon.
“What is this?”
Devon rubbed his jaw.
“Closing documents.”
“Why is there cash out?”
Nobody answered.
Malcolm took the papers.
His eyes moved rapidly across the page.
“What debt consolidation?”
Devon said, “My business had some problems.”
Malcolm stared.
“You said every dollar was staying in the property.”
“Most of it is.”
“Thirty thousand dollars is not most.”
Loretta stepped between them.
“Don’t start.”
Malcolm looked at his mother.
“You knew?”
“Your brother needed help.”
Tasha almost couldn’t believe the symmetry.
Malcolm turned toward her.
For the first time, he looked as betrayed as she felt.
But she refused to confuse his pain with innocence.
He had been deceived.
After deceiving her.
Malcolm looked back at Loretta.
“My money saved this house.”
“Our house,” Loretta corrected.
His eyes filled with something dark.
“And where is my name?”
Loretta said nothing.
Malcolm’s voice dropped.
“Where is my name, Mom?”
Devon exhaled.
“You were never supposed to be on the refinance.”
The room became absolutely silent.
Tasha watched Malcolm understand.
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Then Devon delivered the truth that broke whatever fantasy had brought Malcolm this far.
“Because you don’t own any part of this house.”
