The Arrest on the Driveway
Chapter 11 - The Arrest on the Driveway
Officer Santos placed Daniel under arrest.
The words were calm and procedural: suspected forgery, attempted mortgage fraud, identity theft, and unlawful interference with property.
Daniel looked at Claire.
“You are really doing this?”
She stared at him.
“I did not forge the deed.”
“You could say it was a misunderstanding.”
“I could lie.”
“For our marriage.”
Claire looked at Vanessa in the red dress, then at her mother’s quilt in the puddle.
“What marriage?”
Daniel’s face changed.
He had expected anger, tears, perhaps revenge.
Santos turned Daniel toward the cruiser.
Daniel resisted only with words.
“You will destroy both of us.”
Claire answered quietly.
“You destroyed us when you decided my grief made me easy to steal from.”
Vanessa stood near the porch, arms wrapped around herself.
Officer Kim told her she was not under arrest at that moment, but the investigation would determine her role in removing property and submitting documents.
Vanessa looked at Claire.
“I am sorry.”
Claire did not respond.
May you like
An apology offered after police arrive is still an apology, but it does not become repair.
Daniel was placed in the back of the cruiser.
