Grace placed a blank ratification agreement before Mariana.

“We tell Mark you’re prepared to approve the loan,” she said.

“You do not sign.

You ask him to explain what happens afterward.”

“And if he refuses?”

“He won’t.

He thinks he has won.”

Denise slid a small recorder into Mariana’s handbag.

“The investigators will be in the next room.”

Mariana looked toward Evelyn.

“Why is she here?”

Evelyn sat across from them without the wheelchair.

“Because Mark lied to me too.”

“That does not erase what you did.”

“I know.”

“Then tell the truth when it matters.”

At the title office, Mark entered with Dr.

Bell and Angela Pike.

His smile widened when he saw the document.

“I knew you’d come to your senses,” he said.

Mariana kept both hands beneath the table.

“Explain the arrangement one more time.”

Mark sat beside her.

“You ratify the deed.

The lender releases the money.

We pay the debts.”

“And my house?”

“It becomes company property.”

“Your company.”

“Our company.”

“My name isn’t on it.”

Mark pushed a pen toward her.

“It will be later.”

Evelyn stared at him.

“Where will Mariana live?”

“She’ll manage.”

“And me?”

Mark’s eyes flicked toward her.

“We discussed that.”

“No, we didn’t.”

Angela shifted in her chair.

“Can we finish this?”

Mariana touched the pen but did not lift it.

“Tell me where Evelyn is going.”

Mark exhaled.

“There’s an assisted-living facility outside Waco.”

Evelyn gripped the table.

“You said I would live with you.”

“That was before you became a liability.”

“You used me.”

Mark leaned close to her.

“You volunteered.”

Dr.

Bell stood.

“I’m leaving.”

Grace entered and blocked the doorway.

Two investigators followed her.

“Sit down, Doctor,” she said.

Mark grabbed for Mariana’s handbag.

Denise caught the strap from behind and pulled it away.

“What is this?” Mark demanded.

Mariana stood.

“The part where everyone hears you clearly.”

“You entrapped me.”

“No one forced you to forge my signature.”

Angela shoved her notary stamp into her purse.

An investigator held out his hand.

“Leave that on the table, Ms.

Pike.”

Mark pointed at Evelyn.

“This was her plan.

She needed money.”

Evelyn rose from her chair.

“I pretended to be p@ralyzed.

I entered Mariana’s room.

I helped copy the signature.”

Mark’s face drained.

“But Mark prepared every document,” Evelyn continued.

“He paid Angela.

He paid Dr.

Bell.

And he told me Mariana would lose the house whether I helped or not.”

“You lying old fool,” Mark said.

Evelyn flinched, then looked at Mariana.

“I have his second phone.

It’s in Grace’s office.”

Mark lunged toward the door, but an investigator stepped into his path.

“You are not leaving yet,” the man said.

Mark turned to Mariana.

“Withdraw the complaint, and I’ll give you half the money.”

“There is no money.”

“There will be if you sign.”

“You still think I can be exhausted into obeying you.”

His smile vanished.

An investigator placed evidence bags over the stamp, Dr.

Bell’s letter, and Mark’s phone.

Grace’s own phone rang as they left the room.

She listened, wrote down a number, and looked at Mariana.

“The bank found transfers from your inheritance account,” she said.

“Eighty-six thousand dollars went to Mark’s company over four years.”

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Mariana stared through the glass as Mark was escorted down the hallway.

“He started taking from me before Evelyn ever moved in.”