Chapter 4 - SOMEBODY WAS INSIDE

“Ray!”

“I’ve got you.”

A flashlight snapped on.

Arthur heard movement near the far wall.

“Someone’s here!”

Ray drew his weapon.

“Stay behind me.”

A shadow rushed between the cars.

Ray shouted, “Stop!”

The garage door began rising.

Arthur saw a hooded figure duck underneath it and sprint toward the street.

Ray chased him.

Arthur followed as far as the driveway.

A motorcycle roared to life.

The rider disappeared into the darkness.

Ray returned, furious.

“Couldn’t get the plate.”

Arthur’s heart hammered.

“How did he get inside?”

“That’s the problem.”

Ray looked at the keypad.

“He used a valid access code.”

“Whose?”

Ray checked the security log on his phone.

His expression hardened.

“Mrs. Vance’s.”

Arthur stared into the darkness.

Elena had been gone less than twenty minutes.

He called her.

She answered almost immediately.

“What now?”

“Someone just broke into the garage using your code.”

Silence.

“Elena?”

“That’s impossible.”

“Robert’s phone was inside my car.”

Another pause.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“There’s blood on the floor.”

Her voice changed.

“Call the police.”

“I already am.”

She hung up.

The police arrived fifteen minutes later.

Officers photographed the garage while a detective named Dana Brooks questioned Arthur.

“Your wife left tonight?”

“Yes.”

“After an argument?”

“Yes.”

“Over money?”

“Among other things.”

Arthur handed her the documents.

Brooks read quickly.

“This is serious.”

“I know.”

“You understand that these papers alone don’t prove she executed the transfers?”

“I understand.”

“Where is Mrs. Vance now?”

“I don’t know.”

Brooks looked toward the staircase.

“And Maria Torres?”

“She’s upstairs with my son.”

“I’ll need to speak with her.”

Arthur hesitated.

Brooks noticed.

“If someone came into this house tonight, everybody gets questioned.”

Arthur nodded.

Maria came downstairs ten minutes later.

She answered everything calmly.

Then Brooks asked, “How did you find the financial documents?”

“In Mrs. Vance’s office.”

“Why were you in her office?”

“I wasn’t.”

Maria swallowed.

“They were in my bedroom.”

Arthur turned.

“What?”

Maria looked terrified.

“The envelope was under my pillow.”

“You told me you found paperwork.”

“I did.”

“You didn’t tell me where.”

“I was scared you’d think I put it there.”

Brooks leaned closer.

“Who had access to your room?”

“Anyone in the house.”

Arthur felt unease spreading through him.

Someone wanted Maria to find those documents.

Why?

Before he could ask, another officer walked in holding a clear evidence bag.

Inside was a silver bracelet.

Arthur recognized it.

He had given it to Maria for Christmas from the family.

The officer said, “We found this near the blood in the garage.”

Arthur slowly turned toward her.

Maria’s face collapsed.

“I’ve never been in that garage tonight.”

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Detective Brooks studied her.

“Then somebody really wants us to believe you were.”