Chapter 15 - What My Sister-in-Law Knew
Natalie gave her statement in a conference room with the investigator and her own lawyer. I waited outside with Tessa, listening to the vending machine hum.
When she emerged two hours later, she looked smaller. Not innocent. Just finally frightened of the right things.
Her account was ugly and specific. Teresa had wanted the house sold to pay debts that Daniel's failing company couldn't cover. Natalie connected them to Grant, who told them he could move paperwork quickly. Daniel supplied a copy of my signature and personal information. Natalie helped create the false identity file.
"And the soup?" I asked.
She looked at the floor. "Mom thought if you left angry, we'd have time to say you'd moved out. Daniel planned to back her up."
"You watched me burn."
"I didn't know it would happen like that."
"You knew enough to keep filming."
She couldn't answer.
The investigator had recovered the full chat export and asked Stonefield to preserve Grant's work computer. Natalie also handed over an email showing that Briarstone's controlling member was a business associate of Daniel's.
At last, the outline was complete: money advanced against forged papers, a cheap sale to a friendly buyer, then an anticipated resale at a profit. The difference would cover old debts and enrich the people who had arranged it.
"Do I get the house free and clear now?" I asked Nina.
"Not today. But we're building the case to get that result."
We drove back to Tessa's place in the gray afternoon. The news should have felt like victory. Instead, I kept seeing Daniel's fork beside my wedding ring.
At 5:11, Nina called again. Investigators had obtained legal authority to secure records from Daniel's business and had gone to the office.
"They found a file cabinet labeled EMILY," she said.
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Inside were years of my bank statements, insurance records, and copies of documents I thought were locked in our bedroom.
And on the newest folder was a handwritten note: NEXT ASSET.
