Chapter 9: The Police Report
I opened the door slowly.
Two officers stood outside.
The same department that had come to my cottage the previous evening.
The older officer looked at me.
“Ms. Miller, we need to ask you some questions.””
“About what?””
He glanced at the younger officer.
Then back at me.
“We received a report concerning your daughter's safety.””
Sarah stepped forward.
“Officer, I'm fine.””
The older officer frowned.
“Then why did someone report that your mother was behaving erratically and threatening you?””
I turned toward Sarah.
Her face went white.
“I didn't make that call.””
I laughed bitterly.
“Of course you didn't.””
“Mom…”
The younger officer held up a hand.
“Let's keep this calm.””
The older officer looked at Greg.
“Are you Mr. Miller?””
“No. Greg Harris.””
“Can you explain why Ms. Miller is here?””
Greg glanced at Sarah.
“I can.””
Sarah whispered, “Greg, don't.””
He looked at me.
“Claire didn't threaten anyone.””
The officer pulled out a notebook.
“Then what happened?””
Greg took a breath.
“Sarah has been trying to take control of the cottage.””
Sarah closed her eyes.
“Greg.””
He continued.
“She forged paperwork.””
The officer stopped writing.
“What kind of paperwork?””
“A power of attorney.””
Sarah shook her head.
“I didn't forge it.””
“She knew it wasn't valid.””
The officer looked at her.
“Do you have the original?””
“No.””
“Who prepared it?””
Sarah didn't answer.
The officer's expression hardened.
“Ms. Miller?””
“My attorney.””
“Name?””
She hesitated.
Then gave him a name.
I recognized it.
The same law firm listed in the capacity evaluation email.
The officer wrote it down.
Then he looked at me.
“Do you have documentation showing ownership?””
“Yes.””
“Bring it tomorrow.””
“I can show you now.””
“I'd prefer to review it formally.””
He paused.
“There is another issue.””
“What?””
“A permit was filed yesterday requesting structural changes to your cottage.””
“I know.””
“Did you authorize those changes?””
“No.””
“Did your daughter?””
Sarah whispered, “I was acting under the trust.””
The officer looked at her.
“Do you have authority to make those changes?””
She said nothing.
He closed his notebook.
“We're going to verify everything.””
The officers left.
The moment their car disappeared, I turned to Sarah.
“You made another report.””
“No.””
“Then who did?””
She shook her head.
“I don't know.””
Greg looked through the window.
“Maybe the same person who sent the pictures.””
I looked at him.
“What if they want us fighting each other?””
Sarah nodded.
“That was always the point.””
“Whose point?””
She looked toward the road.
“I don't know.””
My phone rang.
Daniel.
I answered.
“Daniel?””
“Claire, I need you to come to the cottage.””
“Why?””
“There was someone inside.””
My stomach tightened.
“Who?””
“I don't know. I arrived to check the property.””
“Is anything missing?””
“Yes.””
“What?””
He lowered his voice.
“The renovation plans.””
I looked at Sarah.
“Anything else?””
“Your mother's built-in shelves were opened.””
“What?””
“There was a compartment behind them.””
My heart stopped.
“What's inside?””
“I don't know.””
“Daniel, don't touch anything.””
“I already called the police.””
“Good.””
Then he said, “Claire…”
“What?””
“There was writing inside the compartment.””
“What kind?””
He hesitated.
“Your mother's handwriting.””
I gripped the phone.
“What did it say?””
Daniel read it slowly.
*If Sarah ever comes back, tell Claire to look beneath the floorboard.*
I looked at my daughter.
Sarah was staring at me.
And for the first time, she looked genuinely terrified.
May you like
Not of me.
Of what I might find.
