Chapter 5 - THE SHERIFF’S DECREE
Wendy sprinted down the porch steps, her designer shoes clicking loudly against the stone path.
"You can't do this!" she shrieked, pointing a manicured finger directly at Eleanor's face. "We spent forty thousand dollars on architectural plans! We hired contractors! We signed a contract to lease a luxury condo in downtown Canton while this house was being flipped! We put our own savings on the line!"
"You didn't put your savings on the line, Wendy," I interrupted, stepping between my mother and my grandmother. "You used fifty-five thousand dollars stolen from Grandma's savings account. And that thirty thousand dollar cashier's check you gave to these contractors? It was voided an hour ago at First National Bank."
The two contractors standing on the porch immediately stopped holding the wooden beam.
The foreman, a burly man with a thick beard, stepped down to the driveway. "Wait a minute. What do you mean, voided?"
"The bank issued a full stop-payment on the check issued by A&W Realty," I told the foreman. "Because the funds were derived from a fraudulent transfer currently under investigation by the county probate court."
The foreman turned his head and glared at Arthur. "You gave us a bad check?!"
"No! No! It's a misunderstanding!" Arthur yelled, his face turning an alarming shade of crimson. "The money is there! I am the power of attorney!"
"Not anymore," I said, holding up the certified revocation forms signed by Brenda at the courthouse. "The power of attorney was formally revoked at 2:15 p.m. today. Any financial or legal action you take using her name from this moment forward is a federal felony."
The foreman swore under his breath, turning to his worker. "Pack up the tools, Jimmy. We're done here. Get the truck."
"Wait! You can't leave!" Wendy cried out, grabbing the foreman's arm. "We have a signed contract!"
"Your contract is with an LLC that doesn't own the right to touch this house, lady!" the foreman barked, tearing his arm away. "And if that check bounces, my company is filing a mechanic's lien against your personal assets by tomorrow morning!"
The contractors threw their equipment into the back of their pickup truck and sped down the driveway, spray of gravel hitting the side of my mother's Lexus.
"Look what you've done!" Arthur roared, turning on Eleanor. "You ruined everything! We were doing this for the family! We were going to create a multi-generational asset!"
"You were going to sell my memories to fund your grand illusions," Eleanor said.
Suddenly, the siren of a police cruiser echoed down Maplewood Drive.
Two red-and-blue lights flashed through the trees as a Stark County Sheriff's vehicle pulled into the driveway, blocking the entrance behind my car.
Deputy Miller, a tall, stern-faced officer, stepped out of the vehicle, his hand resting casually near his belt.
"We received a call regarding a domestic disturbance and potential unlawful eviction at this address," Deputy Miller said, walking up the driveway. "Who called?"
"I did, Officer," Eleanor said, stepping forward with absolute composure. "My name is Eleanor Sterling. I am the sole life-tenant and legal occupant of this property. These people are currently refusing to vacate my premises."
"Mom!" Arthur yelled, looking at the deputy in complete shock. "Deputy, this is my mother! She is eighty-two years old and suffering from severe cognitive impairment! She was supposed to be admitted to a specialized care facility today!"
Deputy Miller looked at Arthur, then at Eleanor. "Ma'am, do you know where you are?"
"I am standing at 1420 Maplewood Drive, Canton, Ohio," Eleanor answered smoothly. "I was born in 1944. My social security number ends in 4102. I have full mental capacity, as certified three hours ago by the Stark County Probate Court Clerk. Here are the certified filings, Officer."
She handed the folder to the deputy.
Deputy Miller reviewed the court stamps, the revocation notice, and the life-estate deed copy. He read through them slowly, nodding his head.
He closed the folder and looked at Arthur and Wendy.
"Mr. and Mrs. Sterling," Deputy Miller said, his tone turning ice-cold. "This court document confirms that Mrs. Eleanor Sterling holds exclusive life tenancy of this residence. The power of attorney you claimed to hold has been formally revoked by the court."
"But... but the LLC owns the deed!" Wendy protested, tears of panic finally breaking through her makeup.
"An LLC remainder interest gives you zero right to occupy, alter, or evict a life tenant without a formal court order," Deputy Miller stated firmly. "As of right now, Mrs. Sterling wants you off the property."
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"Officer, this is ridiculous!" Arthur shouted. "Our personal belongings are inside!"
"Then I suggest you take what you can carry in ten minutes," Deputy Miller replied, leaning against his cruiser. "Or I will arrest you both for criminal trespassing."
