“I don’t care what rank she has. Marcus was my brother-in-law. The house belongs to his estate. We’re converting her room into my office, and none of you can just arrive here with military vehicles and—”
A black government sedan entered the driveway before he could finish.
A gray-haired man stepped out carrying a leather portfolio.
My father instantly went pale.
“Judge Davis?”
Judge Thomas Davis had known my father for years.
Yet that morning, he ignored Harrison’s attempt to greet him.
“Harrison,” he said seriously, “I received an emergency federal filing from the Department of the Army several hours ago.”
Victoria stepped forward.
“For what?”
Judge Davis opened the portfolio.
“An immediate freeze involving attempted estate claims, asset transfers, and property filings connected to Harrison, Eleanor, Victoria, and Raymond Sterling.”
Raymond’s expression changed.
Then the judge continued.
“A search warrant has also been issued concerning Raymond Sterling’s electronics and business records.”
“What?” Raymond shouted. “Why?”
That was when I finally stepped forward.
“Because you tried accessing Marcus’s encrypted home network.”
Raymond’s face lost its color.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You thought Marcus was only a dead consultant with investment files stored on his computer,” I said. “You assumed you could get into his system and find financial information that might rescue your failing business.”
Victoria turned toward him.
“Raymond?”
He began stumbling over his words.
“I was looking for insurance documents!”
“You accessed a protected network,” Judge Davis said. “Investigators are currently searching your business offices.”
Suddenly, Raymond no longer looked like the confident man who had been laughing about forcing a pregnant widow into the garage.
Dad turned on me.
“You set him up? He’s Victoria’s husband! He’s family!”
I almost laughed.
“Family?”
I stepped closer.
“Less than an hour ago, you told me my grief was ruining Thanksgiving. You ordered your pregnant daughter to sleep in a freezing garage because Raymond wanted my bedroom.”
Mom began crying.
“We didn’t know, Genevieve. We thought you were struggling. We’re your parents.”
“That’s exactly the problem,” I said.
“You believed I was weak, and instead of helping me, you tried to take advantage of me.”
Lieutenant Colonel Miller turned toward his personnel.
“Secure the property. Remove unauthorized civilians.”
The soldiers moved forward.
Victoria started screaming when officials took Raymond aside.
“You can’t do this! It’s Thanksgiving!”
Judge Davis looked at her.
“I believe Thanksgiving dinner is the least of your concerns.”
I looked at my family one final time.
My father stood speechless on the porch.
My mother was crying.
Victoria was shouting.
Raymond was being escorted toward a government vehicle.
