Chapter 5 - THE DESK
“Move,” Sarah said.
“The order says you leave.”
“It doesn’t say you get to hide evidence while I’m standing here.”
“Mr. Mitchell, step aside.”
“Officer—”
“Step aside.”
Sarah climbed the stairs with Harris behind her. Her legs felt weak, but her mind had become painfully clear.
Miles led them to the small office beside the master bedroom.
“Daddy was in here with Grandma,” he said. “They said Mommy can’t find it.”
Jason’s voice came from the hallway.
“He’s four. He doesn’t know what he heard.”
“I’m four and a half.”
Sarah opened the top drawer.
“Not there.”
Then Miles crouched and tapped the wooden back panel.
“Daddy pushed this.”
Linda appeared in the doorway.
“Don’t touch that.”
Inside were copies of the forged deed, a home-equity application for $340,000, the protective-order petition, and a handwritten list.
SUNDAY: INCIDENT.
MONDAY: RECORD DEED.
MONDAY PM: HELOC.
TUESDAY: HEARING.
WEDNESDAY: MOVE FUNDS.
Sarah looked at Jason.
“What funds?”
Deputy Harris took out his phone and called a supervisor.
Linda snapped, “Those are private financial documents.”
“They’re in my house with my forged signature.”
“You don’t know it’s forged.”
Sarah pulled out the final sheet.
Jason’s business account was overdrawn by $187,443.
Another page showed personal guarantees on loans Sarah had never seen.
Then she found the number that explained everything.
“Jesus, Jason.”
“I was trying to save the company!”
“By stealing my house?”
“You were never going to help me!”
“You never asked!”
“Because you would’ve said no!”
“Yes,” Sarah said. “I would have.”
“You’re his wife. You don’t get to watch him drown.”
Sarah held up the forged deed.
“And he doesn’t get to drag me under.”
Deputy Harris ended his call.
“Mrs. Mitchell, don’t leave yet.”
Linda smiled again. “She has to. There’s an order.”
Harris looked directly at her.
May you like
“Actually, ma’am, nobody is going anywhere.”
Then two more patrol cars pulled into the driveway.
