Chapter 7 - The Choice in the Snow
The police officer listened to Carter first.
She gave him the handwritten note, the messages, photographs of the damaged gate, and proof of ownership.
Frank interrupted repeatedly.
“This is a family misunderstanding.”
The officer looked at the baseball bat.
“Put that on the ground.”
Frank obeyed.
Diane began crying.
“We have nowhere else to go.”
The officer’s expression remained professional.
“That does not give you the right to enter someone else’s home.”
Chloe stepped forward with the folder.
“You’re only hearing her side.”
She produced the document.
At the top were the words Transfer of Beneficial Property Interest.
Below them was Evelyn Hale’s name.
The document claimed Evelyn had transferred equal ownership of the lake house to Frank, Chloe, and Carter only three weeks before her death.
Carter studied the signature from a distance.
Her grandmother’s name was almost perfect.
Almost.
Evelyn had suffered severe arthritis during her final year. She signed documents slowly, with a distinctive break between her first and last name.
The signature on Chloe’s paper was smooth.
Too smooth.
The officer asked whether the document had been recorded.
Chloe hesitated.
“It was going to be.”
“When?”
“After we moved in.”
The officer looked at the notary seal.
Rachel, who had arrived minutes earlier, stepped onto the porch and handed him documentation showing that Samuel Voss had not been authorized to notarize anything on the date listed.
The officer’s tone changed.
“Ms. Hale, place the folder on the hood of the car.”
Chloe backed away.
Frank moved toward her.
“Don’t say anything.”
That was when Chloe ran toward the porch.
The officer intercepted her before she reached the steps. The folder opened, and its contents scattered across the driveway.
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Among them were emails between Chloe and Samuel Voss, a payment receipt, and several failed versions of Evelyn’s signature.
The storm had delivered every secret into plain sight.
