Chapter 5 - THE AUDIT OF A FRAUDDetective Vance stepped into the library, his heavy boots clicking against the hardwood floor. He didn't look at Mara; he walked straight to the desk and dropped a thick, red-stamped federal investigative folder right on top of her forged will.
"Mara Vale, formerly Mara Voss," Vance stated loudly, his voice echoing off the bookshelf walls. "You are under arrest for elder abuse, financial coercion, forgery of vital records, and premeditated mail fraud."
Thorne frantically packed his briefcase, backing toward the door. "As her legal counsel, I advise—"
"Shut your mouth, Counselor," one of the deputies interrupted, stepping directly into Thorne's path and resting a heavy hand on his holstered firearm. "Unless you want an obstruction charge added to your upcoming disbarment hearing."
Mara’s face twisted into an ugly, desperate mask. She pointed a trembling finger directly at me.
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"She set me up! This is a rich family's game! You can't touch me, I'm his wife!" she screamed, thrashing wildly as the deputies stepped forward and snapped heavy steel handcuffs around her wrists.
"You weren't his wife, Mara," I said quietly, looking down at her as the officers pulled her away from the desk. "You were his warden. And wardens don't inherit empires."
