Chapter 4 - The Sting OperationTyson lunged forward, snatching the red notebook off the counter and flipping frantically through the pages.
"What do you mean, look at the cover?" he demanded, his fingers trembling as he flipped to the first page.
"That ledger was a draft copy I created three years ago when my accountant and I did an internal audit," I explained, leaning back against the sink with my arms crossed. "Every single cash payment listed in that red book was reported under Schedule C of my federal tax returns under 'miscellaneous income.' I keep two sets of books, Tyson—not to cheat the government, but to separate my retail fabric purchases from my custom embroidery labor. My taxes are fully audited, completely paid, and certified by a Certified Public Accountant every single December."
Tyson stared at the numbers on the page, his face growing redder by the second.
"You... you set this up?" he stammered.
"I didn't set anything up until three weeks ago," I replied coldly. "Three weeks ago, I noticed my workshop door was slightly ajar and my filing cabinet was unlocked. I realized someone was snooping through my papers. I left that red book right on the middle shelf, knowing that whoever was searching for dirt wouldn't be able to resist taking it."
"You crazy old bitch!" Tyson screamed, hurling the heavy notebook against the kitchen wall. It hit the plaster with a loud crack and fell to the floor, pages fluttering everywhere.
"Tyson!"
Shelby’s voice rang out from the top of the stairs. She was standing on the landing, wearing a bathrobe, her eyes red and swollen. She had witnessed the entire scene.
"Shelby, stay out of this!" Tyson barked, turning toward the stairs. "Your mother is out of her mind! She’s playing games with us!"
"She's not playing games, Tyson," Shelby said, her voice shaking as she walked down the stairs step by step. "She just proved what you really are."
Tyson looked at her in disbelief. "What I am? I'm trying to save us! I'm trying to make sure we don't end up on the street!"
"No, you're not," Shelby said, a tear rolling down her cheek. "You were trying to blackmail my mother. I heard everything you said. You threatened to ruin her life just so you could keep living here for free."
"I did it for us!" Tyson shouted, taking a step toward her. "If we get kicked out, where do we go? My line of credit is maxed out! The car lease is two months overdue! I don't have the money for a deposit on a new apartment!"
The truth was finally out. The grand life, the expensive suits, the luxury sports car—it was all an illusion built on borrowed time, maxed-out credit cards, and my generosity.
"That sounds like a personal problem, Tyson," I said quietly.
Before Tyson could respond, the doorbell rang. Two sharp, authoritative rings that cut through the heavy atmosphere of the house.
Tyson stiffened. "Who is that?"
I walked past him toward the front door, slipping my shoes on. "That would be Deputy Miller. And he brought two moving officers with him."
I pulled the front door open. Standing on the porch was my brother-in-law, Jim, wearing his full Sheriff Deputy uniform, flanked by two uniformed officers and a locksmith.
"Morning, Joanne," Jim said, offering a warm, supportive smile. "Is everything ready?"
"Everything is ready, Jim," I replied.
Jim stepped inside, his boots heavy on the entryway floor. His eyes locked onto Tyson, who was standing frozen in the middle of the living room, looking like a cornered animal.
"Tyson Vance," Jim said, his voice echoing with legal authority. "You have been served with a formal notice of trespass and eviction. You have thirty minutes to collect your personal clothing and leave this premises. If you are still on this property at 8:30 AM, you will be arrested for criminal trespass."
"You can't do this!" Tyson yelled, looking around frantically. "Shelby, tell them! Tell them I live here!"
Shelby looked at Tyson, then looked at me, and finally looked down at the floor.
"Shelby!" Tyson screamed. "Say something!"
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Shelby took a deep breath, looked her husband dead in the eye, and spoke four words that shattered Tyson's entire world.
Hook for Next Chapter: Shelby’s four words change everything, but as Tyson is escorted out, he drops a bombshell document that proves Shelby has been hiding a terrifying secret of her own.
