One afternoon, she asked if I would co-sign a lease on a Mercedes.
I smiled.
“Maybe after the money clears.”
Meanwhile, I worked quietly.
I contacted the bank.
I requested records for every account connected to my military transfers.
Then I visited the county recorder’s office.
The renovated house wasn’t paid off.
Mom had borrowed heavily against it.
And she had used part of my money for the down payment on a small rental property under her own name.
The truck belonged to Kendra.
Paid almost entirely in cash.
Then came the credit cards.
Three opened using Naomi’s identity.
I took copies of everything.
I also contacted an Army legal assistance attorney.
After reviewing the records, he told me something I already knew emotionally but needed to hear legally.
“Do not confront them yet.”
He helped me document the transfers and referred me to a civilian attorney and investigator.