“Mrs. Brandt, you spoke to me fifteen minutes ago. I told you we closed yesterday.”
Courtney folded her arms.
“People say all kinds of things.”
Kyle pointed toward Renee.
“Turn around.”
She looked at him.
“Am I under arrest?”
“You’re under arrest for trespassing.”
Renee felt her stomach drop.
“On what basis?”
“You don’t live here.”
“Yes, I do.”
Courtney laughed.
“I’m sure your identification is inside. Right beside the silverware you were planning to steal.”
Renee looked at her in disbelief.
“That is an outrageous accusation.”
Kyle stepped closer.
“Enough.”
He reached for Renee’s wrist.
She did not pull away.
“Sergeant, I am not resisting.”
“Then turn around.”
Renee complied.
The handcuffs clicked around her wrists.
A sharp wave of humiliation passed through her.
She could hear the moving boxes shifting in the breeze.
See her new front door standing open.
And smell freshly cut grass.
All the ordinary details of the day she had imagined for years remained exactly the same.
Except now she was standing in her driveway wearing handcuffs.
Courtney watched from beside the sidewalk.
Her expression was almost satisfied.
Renee looked toward Kyle.
“You’re making a mistake.”
He tightened the cuffs.
“That’s what everybody says.”
“My husband will be here any minute.”
Courtney laughed again.
“Your husband? Let me guess. He’s the gardener.”
Renee stared at her.
Then quietly answered:
“No.”
A dark government sedan had just turned onto Magnolia Court.
Chapter 5: The Man Walking Up the Driveway
Marcus Caldwell had spent the morning at a military ceremony at Fort Myer.
He was tired.
His uniform jacket was neatly pressed.
Four silver stars shone on each shoulder.
He had been looking forward to reaching the new house, changing into comfortable clothes, and eating whatever Renee had managed to unpack.
When he entered Magnolia Court, he noticed the police cruiser.
Then he saw Renee.
