Chapter 5 - The House of Cards
My blood turned to ice.
Sarah hadn't just lied about buying the house back. She was the reason we lost it in the first place. She had robbed our dying father blind, bled the family dry, and then stood in the ballroom in a designer dress, playing the savior.
“She stole it,” I whispered, my hands shaking with rage as I stared at the forged signatures. “She stole everything Dad worked for.”
“It’s worse than that,” Marcus said grimly. “Sarah didn't just hide the money. She spent it. High-risk crypto investments, luxury vacations, designer clothes. When the bank finally came knocking for the foreclosed house, she panicked. She lied to your mother, claiming she was a victim of a banking error, and then claimed she ‘bought’ the house back when she found out you were the one quietly paying the escrow.”
“She let me drain my life savings to fix a disaster she created,” I realized, the full scope of her sociopathy hitting me like a freight train.
“I’ve already contacted the District Attorney’s office,” Marcus said, leaning forward. “This is felony fraud, embezzlement, and elder abuse. Given the amount stolen across state lines for some of the transfers, it’s a federal case.”
“Do they have a warrant?” I asked, my voice terrifyingly calm.
“They are drafting it now. The FBI wants to pick her up by tomorrow morning.”
I stood up from the leather chair. A dangerous, cold clarity settled over my mind.
“Don't let them pick her up at the motel, Marcus,” I said, looking out the window at the city skyline. “Sarah cares about one thing above all else: her reputation. If she goes down in a cheap motel room, she’ll spin it to her friends that she’s a victim of circumstance.”
Marcus raised an eyebrow. “What do you have in mind?”
I pulled out my phone and looked at the calendar.
“Tomorrow at noon, the local Country Club is hosting their annual charity gala luncheon,” I said. “Sarah has been on the board of directors for three years. She bought her seat with my father’s money. She won't miss it. She’ll crash it to beg her rich friends for a bailout.”
Marcus smiled, a slow, predatory grin.
May you like
“I’ll let the FBI know exactly where to find her.”
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