Chapter 7 - The Trap at Fort Bliss
Victor decided to confront Elena in person.
He told Diane that Elena was trying to steal money from the family. He told Brianna that the Hawaii trip would be canceled unless they forced Elena to stop interfering.
Brianna had already packed.
Rather than question her father, she blamed Elena.
The three of them drove to Fort Bliss on the morning before their scheduled flight.
Brianna brought her pink suitcase because Victor promised they would leave directly for the airport after resolving the issue.
Elena learned they had arrived when the security desk called her office.
Colonel Shaw was standing beside Elena when the message came through.
“You do not have to meet them,” she said.
“I know.”
“Do you want them removed?”
Elena looked at the legal folder Samuel had delivered that morning.
Inside were the original deed, trust documents, copies of the forged authorization, property records, and written confirmation that the sale funds had been frozen.
“No,” Elena said. “I want witnesses.”
Colonel Shaw arranged the meeting inside a larger administrative office. Two senior officers attended because Victor had previously claimed Elena was misusing her military position. Elena’s aunt and uncle, who had traveled with Diane, were also permitted inside.
Victor joined by speakerphone because security discovered an unresolved issue with the identification he presented at the gate. He was ordered to remain in the visitor processing area while his documents were checked.
Diane entered first.
“Elena, please don’t embarrass us.”
Elena placed her phone on the desk.
“I’m not the person who brought a suitcase to a property dispute.”
Brianna rolled the pink suitcase into the room.
“Our flight leaves tonight,” she said. “You need to fix this now.”
“Fix what?”
“The title company froze Dad’s money.”
“It isn’t his money.”
Brianna laughed bitterly.
“You’re never at the cabin. You don’t need it.”
“Need has nothing to do with ownership.”
Diane reached for Elena’s hand.
“Your father would have wanted us to share.”
Elena stepped back.
“My father created a legal trust because he knew this might happen.”
Victor’s call came through moments later.
He did not know who was in the office.
He began speaking before Elena could introduce anyone.
“You’ve caused enough trouble. Tell the broker to release the funds.”
“Why?”
“Because I sold the cabin.”
“Under whose authority?”
“Mine.”
Several officers exchanged glances.
Elena opened the folder.
“Please explain.”
Victor mistook her calmness for surrender.
May you like
So he laughed.
And with every sentence that followed, he built the case against himself.
