A technician arrived and began disconnecting the system. Another deputy searched the desk under the authority of the emergency order and probable cause created by the surveillance equipment.
He opened a locked drawer.
Inside were several folders containing bank statements, property documents, blank checks, and copies of Mother’s signature.
A rubber stamp lay beside them.
The stamp reproduced her name perfectly.
Renee picked up one file.
“Silver Crown Holdings,” she read.
Julian stared at the floor.
I took the folder from her and scanned the top page.
It was a purchase agreement for Mother’s house.
The sale price was less than one-third of its market value.
The buyer was Silver Crown Holdings.
The authorized representative signing on behalf of the company was hidden behind another corporate entity.
But a handwritten note had been clipped to the back.
J.V.—final distribution after closing.
Julian Vance.
Chloe suddenly moved toward the front door.
A deputy blocked her.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m leaving, like the order says.”
“Your purse stays here until we determine whether it contains evidence.”
“You can’t take my property.”
The deputy looked at Sheriff Mercer.
Mercer nodded.
Chloe gripped the purse tighter.
That was all the confirmation we needed.
When the deputy reached for it, she pulled away.
The purse fell open.
A set of keys, two phones, several prescription bottles, and a small digital recorder spilled across the floor.
