Chapter 4 - A House of Cards
Back in Ohio, the Thanksgiving turkey had burned, and the atmosphere in my former home was suffocating. Victoria paced the living room, furiously dialing her phone, while Raymond sat at the kitchen island, sweating profusely into his cold coffee.
"She's not answering," Victoria hissed, throwing her phone onto the sofa. "I don't understand! Evelyn has always been a pushover. She works in a cubicle! How did she get a military escort?"
Harrison rubbed his temples, staring out the window at the empty driveway. "Did you hear what she said? A Colonel. Evelyn is a Colonel. And Marcus was a General. Do you have any idea how much money, how much power that means?"
"It doesn't matter!" Raymond yelled, slamming his hand on the counter. "Did you hear the other part? She said the house is federal property! She gave us forty-eight hours!"
Eleanor, still in denial, scoffed. "She was just being dramatic, Raymond. She's grieving. She wouldn't kick her own family out onto the street. We'll just forge her signature on the transfer documents. The lawyer said it would be fine as long as we had the deed."
"You don't get it, Eleanor!" Raymond's voice cracked. His polished, wealthy facade was crumbling by the second. "I already promised this house as collateral! The lenders are coming on Monday! If I don't have the deed to this property, they aren't going to take me to court. They're going to break my legs!"
Victoria stopped pacing, staring at her husband in horror. "What are you talking about? Your investment firm is booming. We just bought the Audi!"
Raymond let out a hysterical laugh. "The Audi is leased, Victoria! The firm is bankrupt! I owe three million dollars to a shadow syndicate in Chicago. I thought Evelyn was just a dumb, grieving widow. I thought we could push her into the garage, claim she was mentally unfit, and take power of attorney over the estate!"
Harrison stood up, his face turning purple. "You planned to steal my daughter's home? You lied to us about your wealth?"
"You didn't exactly try to stop me when I suggested moving her into the freezing cold!" Raymond shot back, pointing a trembling finger at my father. "You wanted her out of the way just as much as I did! You didn't want to deal with her crying!"
Suddenly, heavy fists pounded on the front door. The sound echoed through the silent house, making all four of them jump.
Raymond crept toward the window and peeked through the blinds. His face drained of all color.
"Is it Evelyn?" Victoria asked, her voice shaking.
"No," Raymond whispered, stumbling backward. "It's the Military Police. And local sheriffs. They're here."
May you like
The door pounded again. A loud, amplified voice echoed through a bullhorn. "Raymond Vance! You are ordered to step outside with your hands visible! This property is under federal lockdown, and we have a warrant for your arrest regarding interstate wire fraud!"
The empire they thought they had built on my grief was burning to the ground.
