Chapter 10 - Detective Ruiz

Detective Elena Ruiz called me at 9:40 a.m.

Her voice was calm, almost gentle.

"Ms. Bennett, your father's employer made a report after discovering he accessed customer records outside a business purpose. Your name came up."

"My father says he only checked an address."

"That's not all he accessed."

I felt my stomach tighten.

"What else?"

"Your Social Security number, driver's license record, historical signature card, and account contact information."

I sat down.

"Historical signature card?"

"It appears someone may have used it as a reference to imitate your signature."

I looked at the fake promissory note on my lap.

"I have something you should see."

Ruiz came to the hospital two hours later in plain clothes.

She never once asked me to leave Layla's room. She sat in the corner and let me tell the story in pieces.

I gave her screenshots, account alerts, the cream envelope, Jason's note, and the voicemail from Dad asking me to call the bank and call everything a misunderstanding.

She read Jason's handwritten threat twice.

"What does he mean by what you did after your divorce?"

"I borrowed money from my dad and paid it back. That's it."

"Do you have proof?"

"Bank transfers."

"Good. Save them somewhere your family can't access."

Before leaving, she handed me her card.

"Do not warn them about what you've given me."

"Are you arresting anyone?"

"I don't make promises before I have the evidence."

I appreciated that answer more than false reassurance.

After she left, Layla asked, "Police lady mad at Grandma?"

My throat tightened.

"No, baby. She's helping Mommy with papers."

Layla accepted that and asked for apple juice.

That afternoon, for the first time, her doctor smiled when he reviewed her numbers.

"If she keeps improving, we may move her out of ICU tomorrow."

I nearly cried from relief.

Then my phone rang from an unknown number.

I almost ignored it.

Something made me answer.

A man's voice said, "Ms. Bennett? My name is Aaron Pike. I'm a collections attorney. I'm calling regarding the property at 118 Willow Crest."

"I don't own a property at 118 Willow Crest."

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He paused.

"According to the documents I have, you do."