Chapter 37 #2
“Obtaining money by false pretenses with intent to defraud, which is larceny. Identity theft, forgery, computer fraud, conspiracy, perjury, false statements, and I’m not sure about the child-related charges yet, but maybe endangerment.
You’re looking at a mountain of legal fees, a decade in jail, forfeiture of all assets, including this house, heavy fines, and the responsibility of reimbursing Duane’s estate.
And obviously, you lose the right to Duane’s life insurance disbursement. ”
Theo kinda laughed and slapped the table. “Absurd. So absolutely absurd. We deny all of this, obviously.”
I’d brought a backpack with me, and I drew out a PaternityLab DNA test box and set it on the table. “Easy to verify. Care to take the test?”
“No, screw you. We’re not saying a word,” said Theo. “I know our rights. Okay? I want a lawyer. Right, Piper?”
Ronnie indicated Manny, who was standing in the entryway between the kitchen and the dining room.
“This is Deputy US Marshal Martinez, and he has a warrant for your arrest issued by the magistrate. When we conclude, he’ll be placing you in handcuffs.
You’ll be detained and sent to jail, awaiting your first hearing.
I have Alexandria’s Commonwealth Attorney, a Mr. Blankenship, on standby, waiting for my call.
Social Services will take Sophia-slash-Margaret as a ward of the state and give her to an emergency foster family.
” Ronnie hit them with a dramatic pause and let the implications linger.
Piper smothered a sob when Ronnie mentioned Sophia-slash-Margaret being taken.
“Tonight is the beginning of a nightmare for you. If…”
Another long pause. Even though I knew what was coming, the wait hurt me. For Theo and Piper, it had to be agony.
“Tonight is the beginning of the nightmare if you deny this and wish to settle it through the court system. We can begin that immediately. Or. There’s another option.”
“What’s the other option?” asked Piper, whose tears created dots on her sweatshirt.
“We can settle this now. Out of court,” said Ronnie.
“This other option, out of court, means you aren’t arrested.
Sophia-slash-Margaret doesn’t go to someone else’s house tonight.
We leave and forget all this. You keep this house.
You keep whatever money you have in the bank, ill-gotten though it may be.
You are free, going forward. In essence, you have pulled off an incredible crime and stolen millions and you won’t face legal consequences. ”
Theo swallowed, his eyes darting between Ronnie and Piper. “Okay? Okay, yeah, what’s the catch?”
“In exchange, you surrender the deed to Duane’s beach house. And you surrender the right to Duane’s life insurance and—”
Theo slapped the table again. “But we need that money!”
“No you won’t. You’ll be in jail. Sophia-slash-Margaret will be with another family. And you’ll lose the life insurance money anyway.”
“Stop calling her that!”
I pushed forward the DNA test box. “Doesn’t take long.”
“Shut up! We’re broke! We need the life insurance money to pay the mortgage,” he said.
Ronnie smiled brightly, like she had more good news.
“Sell this house. You’ll make a killing.
Like I said, it’s lovely, and you’ll be free.
So, to continue, sign over the deed to the beach house, surrender your claim on the insurance payout, and sign a document identifying the girl who is living with you as your biological daughter, not your niece.
That’s all. I’ll rip up this list of charges, alert the Commonwealth’s Attorney to stand down, and Manny won’t arrest you. ”
Theo rolled his eyes and did a mocking laugh. “So, what, you want the beach house and life insurance for yourself?”
“Of course not. I paid out of pocket for an estate-planning attorney to create a trust. The beach house and the life insurance funds will transfer into that trust that I will manage remotely. I’ll never visit the house or see a penny.
If fact, I’m doing this work at significant cost to myself and somehow, despite being crooks, you’re still benefiting. ”
“You’ll manage the trust?” asked Theo. “I don’t know what that means. Who will you manage it for? Who gets the money?”
“Sophia, of course. The real Sophia Cardot, not your biological daughter, the girl upstairs.”
Piper asked the big awkward question. “You know where Sophia is?”
I snorted. “Obviously.”
“Piper, what…” Theo held out his hands across the table to her. “What’s going on? What do we… Do we demand a lawyer? How does this jerk know anything?”
Piper cleared her throat, eyes still closed, and took her time answering. She was the more intelligent of the two, which was like saying she was the brightest of the Three Stooges.
“Let’s say all this is true,” said Piper in a soft voice. “Let’s say that we swapped the girls. Hypothetically. That we took control of Duane and Emile’s bank accounts and assets. Why would you let us keep it all? Why let us get away with it?”
“Piper,” squeaked Theo.
“That’s what the deputy marshal wants to know too. He’s furious,” said Ronnie. “The answer is simple. Your daughter shouldn’t have to suffer. The girl upstairs. With you two as parents, she’s already suffering enough.”
“Okay,” said Theo, rolling his eyes. “Okay. You people are such assholes.”
“And,” said Ronnie, “it’s what’s best for Sophia.
The real Sophia, which is who I care most about.
I’m starting a countdown on my phone. If these forms aren’t signed in five minutes, I’m calling the Commonwealth’s Attorney and Manny will arrest you.
So begins the nightmare that you’ll never awake from.
” Ronnie slid across her phone with a five-minute timer displayed.
Before she could hit a button, Piper grabbed her arm.
Not a threatening move, more like crying for help.
“Wait. Wait! What would we do? How would we… If we give away our hope of money, what would we do?”
Ronnie patted her hand. Compassionate. “You’ll live.
Free. You’ll be a family, and you’ll be forced to grow up.
You’ll work jobs and be tired at night, which will force you to send your daughter to bed on time, which will be better for her.
You’ll make sacrifices and mature from them.
Are you happy right now, Mrs. Cardot? Truly?
Ask yourself that. I imagine the answer is no.
Take this opportunity and leap toward a better life. For the sake of the girl upstairs.”
Ronnie pressed the button and the clock started.
“I can’t get a job!” shouted Theo. “I’m a got’damn squirrel!”
Manny raised his broom like a spear and jabbed Theo in the head with the bristles. Not a soft jab. Theo yelped, thrust out of the chair onto the floor, and he spit dust out of his mouth. Before he could climb back up, Piper reached for the phone and pressed stop at 4:55 remaining.
Ronnie slid her a piece of paper with lines for signatures at the bottom and Piper picked up a pen.