Chapter 9 - THE LAKE HOUSE
Luis drove.
I didn't trust myself behind the wheel.
The lake house sat behind iron gates with fresh stone pillars and a new black roof. Through the trees, I could see water flashing in the sun.
"Your mom bought this?" Luis asked.
"Apparently I did."
A contractor's truck was parked near the garage.
We stayed on the public road and took photos.
Then Paige's luxury truck came around the bend.
Luis ducked lower. "That's her."
Paige stopped at the gate and entered a code.
The gates opened.
A second car pulled in behind her.
Black sedan.
Captain Aaron Voss stepped out.
My pulse hammered.
He looked different in civilian clothes, but there was no mistake.
Paige hugged him.
Not like an acquaintance.
Like someone she knew very well.
Luis let out a low whistle. "Well, damn."
I filmed them from the truck.
Voss took a document case from his car. Paige led him inside.
"We need audio," I said.
"We need a warrant," Luis replied.
He was right.
I hated that he was right.
On the way back, Claire called.
"I pulled the corporate records on PWP Consulting. Paige is the owner, but the registered agent is Aaron Voss."
"He's at the lake house right now."
Silence.
"Do not approach them."
"I wasn't planning to."
"David."
"Fine."
Another pause.
"There's more. Gwen's health insurance shows chemotherapy claims that were denied after the policy address changed."
"Changed to where?"
"The lake house."
I stared through the windshield.
"Why would they do that?"
Claire's voice went quiet.
"Because the denial notices, appeal rights, and reimbursement checks would all go somewhere Gwen couldn't see them."
I felt the old, dangerous calm return.
"How much reimbursement?"
"At least forty-six thousand dollars."
Luis looked at me.
I asked the only question that mattered.
"Who deposited the checks?"
Claire exhaled.
May you like
"Your mother."
Then she added, "And David... there was one claim that wasn't for Gwen."
