activated it.

Daniel’s voice filled the library.

“Stop being childish and open the gate.”

Naomi raised one eyebrow.

Evelyn almost smiled.

Then she pressed the control that opened the gate manually.

Daniel drove toward the house.

When the sedan stopped at the circular drive, he got out first.

Claire stepped from the passenger side wearing cream trousers, oversized sunglasses, and a pale blue blazer.

Peter Keller exited the rear holding a leather portfolio.

Daniel approached the front door and typed his old code.

Red light.

He tried again.

Red.

Claire removed her sunglasses.

“What’s happening?”

Daniel ignored her and pressed the bell.

Evelyn watched from the library window.

Her heart hammered.

Fear did not disappear just because she had a lawyer beside her and evidence in a folder.

Her body remembered him towering over her the night before.

Naomi seemed to notice.

“You do not have to open that door,” she said.

Evelyn swallowed.

“I know.”

The bell rang again.

Daniel called.

She answered.

“What did you do to the locks?”

“I changed them.”

“Open the door.”

“No.”

His voice lowered.

“Evelyn, do not humiliate me in front of these people.”

She looked at the bruise in her reflection on the glass.

“You should have considered humiliation last night.”

Silence.

Daniel glanced toward Claire.

Then toward Peter.

When he spoke again, his voice had changed.

“You’re confused.”

“No.”

“You were hysterical.”

“No.”

“You came at me.”

Naomi began writing something on a legal pad.

Evelyn felt cold anger settle where panic had been.

“The cameras disagree.”

Daniel stopped speaking.

His face emptied.

For the first time that day, Evelyn saw genuine fear.

Not regret.

Fear of evidence.

A dark sedan entered the drive behind them.

Two detectives stepped out.

Claire turned sharply.

“What is this?”

Daniel stared at the officers.

Then at Evelyn through the window.

Naomi walked to the foyer and opened the front door before he could make another demand.

“Mr.

Mercer,” she said, standing just inside.

“You should remain outside until the detectives advise otherwise.”

Daniel’s anger returned instantly.

“You have no right to lock me out of my own house.”

Naomi’s voice remained calm.

“This is not your house.”

Claire blinked.

Daniel looked at her.

“What are you talking about?”

“Hawthorne House is held in a protected family trust.

Evelyn is sole trustee and beneficiary.

You have no deeded ownership interest.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is.”

“I’m her husband.”

“That fact does not alter the trust.”

Claire looked from Daniel to Evelyn.

“You told me the property was jointly controlled.”

Daniel’s jaw tightened.

“Don’t talk.”

It was only three words.

But Claire’s expression changed.

Peter Keller moved slightly away from Daniel.

Then he opened his leather portfolio.

“Mr.

Mercer,” he said, “before anyone discusses the guesthouse, I have a question.”

Daniel stared at him.

Peter removed a document.

“Why does this authorization contain what appears to be my signature?”

Daniel went pale.

Claire turned toward him.

“What authorization?”

Peter continued.

“I did not sign this document.

I did not witness Mrs.

Mercer authorizing a credit facility against the estate.

And I did not approve the supporting valuation.”

Daniel looked at Evelyn.

“You’ve been going through my private files?”

The accusation was almost absurd enough to make her laugh.

“These are documents concerning my trust.”

“You don’t