Chapter 7 - THE GARAGE
Ryan finally admitted the folder was in his car.
He refused to say why.
Officer Ortiz escorted him to the garage with another officer while I stayed inside with Marcus and Naomi on the phone.
Diane sat in a dining chair like a queen forced to wait in a bus station.
"This is humiliating," she muttered.
"Being recorded while attacking someone usually is."
Her eyes sharpened.
"You always wanted this."
"Wanted what?"
"To turn my son against his family."
I almost laughed.
"He stood there while you swung at me. I don't think I succeeded."
Her face twitched.
For a few seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then she leaned closer.
"You think a video makes you safe?"
Marcus heard her.
"Ma'am, don't threaten Ms. Bennett."
"I didn't threaten anyone."
"Good. Keep it that way."
The garage door opened.
Officer Ortiz returned with my black folder in an evidence bag. Behind her came Ryan.
"There was more in the vehicle," Ortiz said.
Another bag held copies of my bank statements, a postnuptial agreement I had never seen, and a real estate listing for my house at 3.8 million dollars.
I stared at Ryan.
"You listed my home?"
"It isn't active."
"You had no authority to list it at all."
"I was exploring options."
"With my bank statements?"
His voice rose. "We are married!"
Naomi answered through the phone before I could.
"Marriage does not grant automatic authority to sell separately titled real property."
Ryan looked at my phone like he wanted to smash it.
Officer Ortiz reached into the evidence bag and removed one last sheet.
"Ms. Bennett, do you recognize this signature?"
She showed me the bottom of a document.
My name was there.
Claire Bennett.
Except I had never signed it.
The document authorized Ryan Mercer to act on my behalf in real estate transactions.
My hands went numb.
"That's not my signature."
May you like
Ortiz looked at Ryan.
And Ryan stopped talking.
