Vanessa Changes Her Story
Chapter 09 - Vanessa Changes Her Story
Vanessa asked to speak with Officer Kim alone.
Daniel tried to stop her.
“Vanessa, do not be stupid.”
She turned on him.
“You told me Claire forged the trust to punish you.”
Daniel’s face tightened.
Vanessa continued.
“You said the house was yours through marriage. You said the divorce was final. You said the mortgage was approved.”
Claire listened without satisfaction.
But Vanessa’s fear was beginning to produce truth.
She gave Officer Kim access to messages Daniel sent over six months.
In them, Daniel described Claire as mentally unwell, claimed she had abandoned the property, and promised Vanessa half the mortgage proceeds after they moved.
Another message instructed Vanessa to remove Claire’s personal items before the county inspection.
Daniel stepped backward.
Officer Santos moved between him and the front door.
“Sir, remain here.”
Daniel looked toward the house as if measuring whether he could reach the back exit.
Claire saw it.
So did the officer.
“Do not run,” Santos said quietly.
Daniel stopped.
Vanessa removed a key from her small handbag.
“He gave me this yesterday.”
It was the key to Claire’s mother’s locked desk.
Claire’s stomach tightened.
“What did he take from it?”
Vanessa looked at Daniel.
May you like
“Old trust seals. Signature samples. And Helen Carver’s notary stamp.”
The rain seemed to stop making sound.
