More silence. Then, in a different voice, Officer Hale said, “Can you send me your closing documents? Right now?”
“What’s your email?”
He gave it to me. I sent the settlement statement, the deed recording, and the purchase contract with the closing date highlighted in yellow.
Two minutes later, he said, “Got them.”
Another pause.
“Ms. Whitaker, I’m going to ask the gentleman a few more questions. I’m also going to ask everyone to stop bringing property into the house until we sort this out. Are you coming here?”
“I’m about three and a half hours away.”
“Drive safe. Don’t speed. I’ll be here, or someone will.”
He hung up.
Rachel let out a long breath. “September 14th,” she said. “Diane. Your offer was accepted on September 3rd.”
“I know.”
“Which means by September 14th, he already knew which house you were buying.”
“I know.”
