Daniel’s hand fell.
Arthur took out his phone.
“I have already notified the county recorder and the trust administrator. The attempted transfer will be preserved as evidence. Mrs. Hale’s security footage has also been copied to a protected server.”
Daniel looked toward the camera above the bookshelf.
His expression changed.
Not surprise.
Calculation.
He crossed the room and reached for the chair beneath it.
“Daniel,” I said.
He ignored me.
Arthur caught his wrist.
“Take your hand off the chair.”
Daniel jerked free.
“You set this up.”
“I documented what happened in my home.”
“You baited us.”
“I cooked breakfast.”
His breathing became uneven.
“You think a camera proves anything?”
“No,” I said. “Your voice does.”
Arthur opened his folder again and removed a printed transcript.
Daniel’s eyes moved over the page.
The words from the night before were there.
Sign the house over.
You’ll learn.
Once she signs, everything belongs to us.
His face went pale.
Marissa pressed both hands against her stomach.
I remembered the first time she had come to my house. She had been twenty-six, nervous and bright, carrying a paper bag of pastries because she believed arriving empty-handed was rude. She had helped me plant tulips along the front walk. She had known exactly how Robert took his tea.
That woman seemed very far away now.
