Chapter 4 - The Ambush
Two days passed. I needed to keep my parents distracted while Marcus and the federal authorities built their case. I knew my father. He was paranoid. If he suspected I was going to the police, he would try to flee or destroy the remaining physical evidence at the company headquarters.
So, I played the part of the defeated son.
I drove my father's SUV back to the house. When I walked in, my mother was arranging flowers in the hallway. She looked up, her expression a mix of caution and fake sympathy.
"Where is she?" my mother asked. "At a friend's house," I lied. I kept my posture slouched, my eyes downcast. I let my shoulders sag. "I don't know what to do, Mom. Emily is talking about divorce. She's crazy. She says you stole from us."
My mother's eyes lit up with victory. She walked over and hugged me. It took every ounce of self-control I possessed not to push her away. She smelled of expensive perfume and cheap lies.
"Oh, Jacob," she cooed. "We told you she was no good. She's just after money. Your father and I had to protect you. We moved the house into the company trust to keep her from taking it in a divorce." "And my savings?" I asked, playing dumb. "Safe," my father said, stepping out of his office. He looked smug. "Invested securely. Once you drop that woman and file for full custody of my granddaughter, I'll make sure you're taken care of."
Full custody. They wanted to take Sophie. The anger flared hot and violent in my chest, but I forced a sigh, running a hand through my hair. "I just need time," I said. "I need to get my head straight."
"Take all the time you need, son," my father smiled, patting my shoulder. "You're home now. You're with your real family."
I stayed for exactly one hour. I drank a cup of coffee. I listened to them complain about the neighbors. I played the broken, confused soldier. But as I walked through my father's home office to use the bathroom, I noticed his heavy steel safe was left slightly ajar. He was getting sloppy. Arrogant.
I slipped my phone out, snapped three high-resolution photos of the ledgers sitting inside the safe, and quietly closed the door.
May you like
When I left the house that afternoon, I called Marcus. "They want to take custody of Sophie," I told him, my grip on the steering wheel turning my knuckles white. "Let them try," Marcus chuckled. "The FBI just got the warrant approved. The raid is scheduled for tomorrow morning."
The trap was set. Now, it was time to spring it.
