Chapter 5: A Stranger Steps Forward
Evelyn placed the file on the island.
“My husband founded Northstar.
Someone copied his signature from an old sample report.”
Claire stared at it.
“Why would you come here yourself?”
“Because he passed away two years ago, and someone is using his name to frighten a family.”
She sat beside Maya rather than across from her.
“You did nothing wrong,” Evelyn told her.
“If you ever want a legitimate test, the laboratory will arrange it at no charge.
But nobody gets to force that decision on you.”
Maya looked at me.
“Would you do it?”
“If you need it, yes.”
“And if it says the same thing?”
“I’ll still be waiting outside your college dorm with too many boxes and embarrassing advice.”
Her mouth trembled.
Evelyn reached for her hand, and Maya let her take it.
Claire pushed the forged report toward Evelyn.
“Can you prove who created it?”
“The document contains embedded printer marks.
Our examiner may be able to identify the machine.”
Claire stood.
“Brooke has a commercial printer at the salon.”
My phone rang again.
This time it was the Ford dealership.
A manager named Graham said Brooke had arrived to collect permanent plates.
“I’m coming now,” I said.
At the dealership, Brooke was seated beside the Mustang.
Graham stood when we entered, but she remained in her chair.
“You brought an audience,” she said.
“I brought the person whose money paid for that car,” I replied.
Maya stepped forward.
“Give it back.”
Brooke crossed her legs.
“Your mother bought it for me.”
“Because you lied to her.”
“Can she prove that?”
Claire placed her phone on Graham’s desk and played the call.
Brooke’s face changed when her own voice filled the office: Sign the salon over to me…and I may return the car.
“That was edited,” Brooke said.
“It was recorded this morning,” Maya replied.
Graham took the keys from the desk.
“The registration paperwork has not been finalized.
Until our legal department reviews this, the vehicle stays here.”
Brooke shot to her feet.
“You can’t do that.”
“I can prevent a disputed vehicle from leaving my property.”
She reached for the keys, but Graham closed them in his fist.
“I’ll give Claire twenty thousand dollars,” Brooke said.
“She signs a statement saying the rest was a gift.”
“You want us to accept twenty thousand out of ninety-two?” I asked.
“You may recover nothing otherwise.”
Claire stepped closer to her sister.
“Return the full amount.”
“I don’t have it.”
“The lender received fifty-one thousand.”
“And released the lien on my business equipment.”
“Then sell the equipment.”
Brooke leaned near Claire’s face.
“If I fall, I’ll make sure you fall beside me.”
Claire’s voice shook, but she didn’t move.
“I already fell.
Maya watched it happen.”
Graham slid a return form across the desk.
“Claire, because you are the purchaser, you can request cancellation.
There will be a mileage charge and processing fee.”
“How much?”
“About twenty-seven hundred dollars.”
Claire signed without looking at Brooke.
Graham handed her a receipt showing that $38,300 would be returned to the account that had funded the purchase.
Brooke grabbed Claire’s arm.
“You pathetic little coward.”
Maya pulled her mother back.
“Don’t touch her.”
Brooke pointed at Maya.
“You think she’s the victim?
Ask her why Daniel was in your parents’ wedding photographs.”
Then Brooke swept the papers from Graham’s desk and walked out.
Maya turned to Claire.
“Was Daniel at your wedding?”
Claire stared at the papers on the floor.
May you like
“Yes,” she whispered.
“He was standing beside your father.”
