Chapter 7: The Arrest That Was Supposed to Destroy Me
"Your wife, Mrs. Nia Carter.""
The detective's words kept echoing in my head.
I stood in the middle of my living room, holding the phone against my ear, unable to take my eyes off Nia.
She was crying.
But I no longer knew whether those tears meant regret, fear, or simply the realization that her plan was falling apart.
"Detective Bennett," I said carefully, "I have evidence proving those transfers were made by someone else.""
"Mr. Carter, I understand. That's why we're asking you to come in and provide a statement.""
"Can I bring an attorney?""
"Absolutely.""
"Then I'll be there.""
I ended the call.
Danielle immediately stepped toward me.
"Marcus, we need a lawyer. Right now.""
I nodded.
Nia stood near the staircase, clutching her arms.
"Marcus, please don't believe everything Jordan said.""
I turned toward her.
"You gave the police a statement saying I stole my mother's money.""
She shook her head.
"He forced me.""
"Did he hold a gun to your head?""
"No!""
"Did he threaten you?""
"Yes!""
"Then why didn't you tell the police that?""
She started crying again.
"Because he had something on me.""
"What?""
She hesitated.
I picked up the flash drive.
"The recording?""
She nodded.
"What else?""
Nia looked toward Danielle.
Then she whispered, "The first time Jordan transferred money into my account, I knew it wasn't mine.""
I stared at her.
"How long ago?""
"Three weeks.""
"And you said nothing?""
"I was going to return it.""
"But you didn't.""
"Jordan told me it was temporary.""
I shook my head.
"You had three weeks to tell me.""
She lowered her eyes.
"I know.""
"No, Nia. You don't.""
My voice cracked.
"Do you understand what you did? You allowed another man to steal from my mother, and when you realized the police might get involved, you blamed me.""
She covered her face.
"I didn't know he'd go this far.""
"That's the problem. You never asked where he was going.""
The doorbell rang.
Danielle looked through the window.
"Marcus.""
Two police officers stood outside.
Behind them was a woman in a dark blue jacket holding a folder.
Detective Bennett.
I opened the door.
"Mr. Carter?"" she asked.
"Yes.""
"I'm Detective Bennett. We'd like to speak with you about the financial complaint.""
I stepped aside.
"Come in.""
She entered with the two officers.
Her eyes moved briefly toward Nia.
"Mrs. Carter?""
Nia nodded.
"Detective.""
Bennett opened her folder.
"Mrs. Carter, thank you for being available. We have some questions regarding the statement you submitted yesterday.""
Nia looked nervous.
"Okay.""
The detective turned toward me.
"Mr. Carter, your wife provided documents indicating that you had access to your mother's account and authorized several transfers.""
"Those documents are false.""
"That's a serious allegation.""
"I understand.""
I handed her the flash drive.
"I have bank records, emails, property agreements, and audio recordings showing that Jordan Blake and his business partner were coordinating the transfers.""
The detective took the drive.
"Who is Jordan Blake?""
I stared at her.
"My wife's ex-boyfriend.""
She glanced at Nia.
"Mrs. Carter, is that correct?""
Nia nodded.
"Yes.""
"Why was Mr. Blake involved in your family's finances?""
Nia opened her mouth.
Then she looked at me.
I said nothing.
Finally, she whispered, "He offered to help.""
Detective Bennett wrote something down.
"Help with what?""
"An investment opportunity.""
"What kind?""
Nia hesitated.
"Property development.""
The detective looked up.
"Was Mr. Carter involved?""
"No.""
"Then why was his personal information used?""
Nia started crying.
"I don't know.""
Detective Bennett closed her folder.
"Mrs. Carter, we need to discuss the statement you signed.""
Nia's face went pale.
"What about it?""
"You identified your husband as the person who authorized the transfers. You also stated that you witnessed him providing financial documents to Mr. Blake.""
Nia looked at me.
I watched her struggle.
Then she whispered:
"That wasn't true.""
The room went silent.
Detective Bennett leaned forward.
"Excuse me?""
Nia wiped her cheeks.
"I lied.""
One of the officers exchanged a glance with the detective.
"Why?"" Bennett asked.
Nia looked down.
"Because Jordan told me to.""
The detective's expression hardened.
"Mrs. Carter, making a false statement in a financial investigation is a serious matter.""
"I know.""
"Did anyone force you to sign it?""
Nia hesitated.
"He threatened me.""
"With what?""
"He said he would expose me as an accomplice if I didn't cooperate.""
Detective Bennett looked toward the flash drive.
"Then I suggest you tell us everything.""
For the next forty minutes, Nia explained how Jordan had approached her, how he had introduced her to Victor Hayes, and how they had convinced her that my mother's savings could be used to finance a property project.
She admitted receiving $28,000.
She admitted signing the power of attorney document.
And she admitted helping Jordan obtain my mother's financial information.
But she insisted she had never intended to steal anything.
When she finished, Detective Bennett looked at me.
"Mr. Carter, we need you to come to the station tomorrow morning with your attorney. We'll also need your mother to provide a statement.""
I nodded.
"Understood.""
The detective stood.
"One more question. Do you know where Mr. Blake is currently staying?""
"No.""
Nia suddenly spoke.
"I do.""
Everyone turned toward her.
She reached into her cardigan pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper.
"It's an address.""
She handed it to the detective.
"That's where he keeps the company records.""
Bennett examined it.
"How do you know?""
"Because I went there with him.""
The detective folded the paper.
"Thank you.""
After the officers left, I stood silently by the door.
Danielle came beside me.
"At least she finally told the truth.""
I looked at her.
"Part of it.""
She frowned.
"What do you mean?""
I glanced toward Nia.
My wife was sitting on the bottom step, staring at the floor.
"She admitted enough to save herself. That doesn't mean she's told us everything.""
Nia looked up.
"Marcus, I swear that's everything.""
I didn't respond.
Instead, I picked up the flash drive and checked the folder again.
There was one file I hadn't opened.
It was labeled:
*VICTOR — PERSONAL RECORDING.*
I clicked it.
A man's voice filled the room.
"Jordan, I need to know whether the husband is going to be a problem.""
Jordan answered:
"He's already becoming one.""
"What about the wife?""
"She's manageable.""
Victor laughed.
"And the mother?""
Jordan's voice became serious.
"She's the key. Once she signs, the whole thing is finished.""
Then Victor asked a question that made my blood run cold.
"What happens if she refuses?""
Jordan answered:
"Then we use the original plan.""
I leaned closer to the laptop.
"What original plan?"" Victor asked.
Jordan laughed.
"The one where Marcus takes the blame for everything.""
A pause.
Then Victor spoke again.
"And if Nia changes her mind?""
Jordan's answer was immediate.
"She won't. She's already involved too deeply.""
I looked at Nia.
She was trembling.
The recording continued.
Victor asked:
"What about the other woman?""
Jordan lowered his voice.
"Which one?""
"The one who knows about the account.""
There was a pause.
Then Jordan said a name.
"Danielle.""
My sister stepped backward.
"What?""
I stopped the recording.
I turned toward her.
"Danielle, what is he talking about?""
She shook her head.
"I don't know.""
Nia suddenly stood.
"Marcus, we need to leave.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
She looked terrified.
"Because Jordan knows Danielle found the account records.""
My sister grabbed her coat.
"How would he know?""
Nia swallowed.
"Because someone has been following you.""
The room went silent.
I stared at her.
"What?""
Nia looked directly at Danielle.
"He told me he had someone watching your house.""
Danielle's face went white.
Then her phone vibrated.
An incoming message from an unknown number.
She opened it.
And immediately dropped the phone.
I picked it up.
There was a photograph.
Danielle's front door.
Taken from outside.
May you like
Underneath it were seven words.
*STOP DIGGING, OR YOUR MOTHER PAYS.*
