Chapter 6 - THE DETECTIVES
Detective Alvarez was the first one out of the cruiser.
He wore a dark jacket and carried a folder under one arm.
The tow truck pulled in behind him.
Guests pressed against the glass walls, their champagne forgotten.
Dad came down the terrace steps quickly.
“What is this?”
Alvarez did not answer him first.
He looked at me.
“Ms. Harper, are you safe?”
That question nearly broke me.
After an entire afternoon of being treated like the problem, one stranger began with my safety.
“Yes.”
“Do you have the key fob?”
I held it up.
Madison appeared behind Dad, still in her gown.
Mom followed, one hand against her mouth.
Dad demanded:
“Who called you?”
Alvarez opened the folder.
“Mr. Harper, we need to discuss a fraudulent vehicle lien package and loan application submitted using Claire Harper’s identity.”
The color left Dad’s face.
Mom whispered:
“Robert.”
Madison looked confused.
Then angry.
“This is about a car? At my wedding?”
Alvarez turned slightly.
“This is about suspected identity theft and forgery.”
The word forgery moved through the crowd like a gust of wind.
Dad tried to laugh.
It sounded terrible.
“This is a family misunderstanding.”
Detective Alvarez looked at the key fob in my hand.
“Did Claire give you permission to present her vehicle as a wedding gift?”
Dad’s jaw flexed.
“She was going to.”
“That is not permission.”
“I paid for plenty in her life.”
“That is also not permission.”
I watched Dad realize the language of family entitlement did not work on police.
He pointed at me.
“She’s doing this for revenge.”
I said nothing.
Rachel had told me not to argue.
Facts argue better when people stop shouting over them.
The tow operator began hooking up the Lexus.
Madison lunged forward.
“You can’t take my gift!”
I looked at her.
“It was never your gift.”
She stared at me with pure hatred.
Then Detective Alvarez removed the loan packet copy.
Dad saw the signature page.
His knees seemed to loosen.
May you like
Because it was one thing to bluff at a wedding.
It was another to see the paper trail arrive wearing a badge.
