Chapter 6
Daniel tried to laugh.
It failed halfway.
“This is absurd,” he said. “My wife is emotional. She misunderstood paperwork.”
Elena looked at him with tired disbelief.
Even now.
Blood on her face.
Agents in the room.
His hands restrained.
Still, his first defense was that she misunderstood.
Agent Reed opened the sealed folder but kept the contents angled away.
“We’re investigating assault, forged deeds, and stolen funds.”
Gloria’s hand flew to her necklace.
“Stolen funds?”
Daniel snapped, “Don’t say anything.”
Reed’s eyes moved to him.
“That instruction is noted.”
Daniel’s jaw shut.
One agent photographed the plate fragments.
Another photographed the transfer packet without revealing the text.
A third stood near the hallway, controlling entry.
No weapons drawn.
No shouting.
No completed arrest.
Just process.
That was what terrified Daniel most.
Process meant people had been working before tonight.
Process meant the warrant did not begin with Elena’s phone call.
Process meant the agents had names, dates, accounts, filings, and enough authority to enter when the violence occurred.
Elena watched Gloria look at the documents.
The older woman’s face revealed too much.
Not surprise that the documents existed.
Fear that they had been found.
Reed noticed too.
“Mrs. Carter,” he said to Elena, “are you able to step into the hall?”
Daniel shouted, “She’s not going anywhere.”
Elena picked up her handbag.
“Yes,” she said. “I am.”
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For the first time in years, Daniel’s command did not decide where she stood.
Read the full story 👉 Daniel tried to call Elena confused, but the agents already knew the forged deed scheme reached beyond one signature.
