There were seven original members.
Seven women who had pooled their savings to purchase land outside the city.
The property had originally been intended for affordable retirement housing.
“We wanted to build somewhere elderly people could live without spending everything they owned,” my mother explained.
My father had helped prepare the early business documents.
For several years, the project struggled.
Then a construction company offered to purchase the land.
The offer was substantial.
But the women refused.
“We didn't want to sell,” my mother said. “We believed in what we were building.”
Then the problems started.
The trust's accountant disappeared.
Financial statements stopped arriving.
And one by one, the members began receiving letters claiming their investments were worthless.
“What happened to the property?” Detective Harris asked.
My mother shook her head.
“We lost control of it.”
“To whom?”
“A private investment company.”
“Which company?”
She hesitated.
Then whispered:
“Northbridge Capital.”
