He laid the envelope on the console table near her damp purse.

“When you forged the equity release documents on your home, you used a fraudulent power of attorney,” Vance said.

“I had my husband’s signature,” Linda said, her voice shaking. “It was legal.”

“Your husband has been deceased for three years, Mrs. Vance,” Vance said quietly.

“And the notary signature on the document belongs to a clerk who was fired for fraud last winter,” he added.

Linda’s face went completely white.

She reached out to grip the banister of the stairs to keep her balance.

“The bank has flagged the entire transaction as fraudulent,” Vance continued.

“The deed transfer is void,” he said.

“And because the funds were drawn under false pretenses, the bank has initiated an immediate foreclosure.”

“No,” Linda whispered. “No, that’s my house.”

“You have thirty days to vacate the premises,” Vance said.

Linda’s knees gave out.

She slid down the banister, landing heavily on the bottom step of the staircase.

Her trench coat pooled around her on the floor.

“The boys’ debts,” she muttered, her eyes staring at nothing. “I had to cover the commercial leases.”