Chapter 13 - The Deputy Returns
Behind us, a few lingering guests pretended to examine headstones while clearly listening with their whole bodies, desperate for more scandal.
Then, driven by pure arrogance, Richard made his second catastrophic mistake.
He lifted his phone, pretending to dial, and said loudly enough for everyone within fifty feet to hear, “Deputy? Deputy, over here! I would like to officially report a theft in progress.”
The uniformed deputy, who had followed the procession from the chapel, stopped walking and turned around. Mr. Pierce, who had been standing near the graveside path giving us space, immediately turned and walked briskly back toward us.
Richard pointed an accusing finger directly at my black clutch purse.
“That brass key belongs to my late wife’s corporate estate. Emily is actively attempting to remove vital estate property from the premises without a proper legal inventory.”
Vanessa eagerly seized the moment to pile on. “Yes! She’s a thief! She’s stealing from a dead woman right at her own graveside!”
A few of the lingering church ladies gasped again, clutching their coats. People inherently love a villain, right up until the villain successfully points the finger at someone else.
The deputy approached us slowly, his hand resting casually on his radio. He looked exhausted by the family drama. “Ma’am,” he said, looking at me with a tired expression, “may I please see the key in question?”
I didn't argue. I opened my clutch and held the brass key out flat on my open palm.
Mr. Pierce stepped forcefully between me and Richard.
“Officer, that key was formally and legally transferred to Ms. Carter by the written, notarized instruction of the decedent, executed in my direct presence.”
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Richard smiled, a cold, shark-like grin. “Written instructions can be easily forged by a desperate daughter.”
“Indeed they can, Mr. Vale,” Mr. Pierce said, his voice dropping to a deadly calm. “Just as easily as signatures on a dying woman's medical checks.”
