Chapter 5
Marlene returned the next morning with a lawyer.
Not a good lawyer.
A loud one.
His name was Brent Kessler, and he wore a suit too shiny for daylight.
He stood on my porch and announced that Marlene was prepared to drop charges against me if I cooperated.
I opened the door with Caleb beside me.
“My wife has no charges against her,” Caleb said.
Brent smiled.
“Mrs. Lawson suffered assault last night.”
I lifted my bandaged arms.
“After her son threw soup at me.”
Marlene stood behind Brent, eyes cold.
“You split Tyler’s lip.”
“I slapped him.”
“You admit it?”
“Yes,” I said. “After he burned me.”
Brent looked almost disappointed that I was not afraid.
Then he produced papers.
A settlement.
A confidentiality agreement.
And a cabin transfer deed.
There it was.
The real meal.
I laughed softly.
Marlene’s face tightened.
“This is not funny.”
“No,” I said. “It’s just predictable.”
Caleb took the papers, scanned them, then looked at his mother.
“You came to our house the morning after Jenna went to urgent care with burns, and you brought property transfer forms?”
Marlene’s eyes flicked to Brent.
He stepped in.
“This is a family resolution.”
“No,” Caleb said. “This is extortion.”
Brent’s smile faded.
I held up my phone.
“The police already have the kitchen video, George’s recording, and the fake confession.”
Marlene went pale.
“You little snake.”
Caleb stepped in front of me.
“Leave.”
She ignored him and looked at me.
“You think you won because my son has a soft spot for you?”
I stepped around Caleb.
“No. I think you lost because you forgot my grandmother had lawyers too.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“What does that mean?”
“It means the cabin is protected by a trust. I couldn’t sign it away to you even if I wanted to.”
Brent froze.
Marlene stared.
I smiled.
“You didn’t do enough homework.”
For the first time since I had known her, Marlene had nothing clever to say.
Then police pulled into the driveway.
May you like
Tyler had been arrested.
And Marlene realized she was next.
