Chapter 6 - Confronting the Deceit
When Claire and I stepped out of the bedroom, the thirty-minute timer on my watch expired with a sharp, rhythmic beep.
Margaret and Brittany were standing near the front doorway, surrounded by four large suitcases crammed full of clothes and stolen household goods.
Margaret was sobbing loudly, holding a handkerchief to her face, while Brittany stood beside her with her arms crossed, glaring at me with pure hatred.
"Are you happy now, Ethan?" Margaret wept bitterly. "Throwing your elderly mother out into the cold night air! Where are we supposed to go?! How are we supposed to live?!"
"You can stay at a hotel," I said coldly, walking toward them with Claire right by my side. "Using the money left in your personal accounts."
"We don't have any money!" Brittany yelled, her voice filled with arrogant indignation. "You froze the business account! We can't even pay for a taxi!"
"You have plenty of money, Brittany," I said, stepping right up to her until I was standing inches from her face. "Or should I call your business partner, David Miller, to come pick you up in his electrician van?"
Brittany’s arrogant posture instantly collapsed. Her eyes opened wide in sheer terror, her mouth falling open as the blood drained entirely from her face.
"How... how do you know that name?" she stammered, taking an involuntary step back until her spine hit the front door.
"I know everything, Brittany," I said, my voice low and lethal. "I know David Miller isn't an electrician. I know he works for Marcus Kane. And I know you’ve been texting him thousands of times over the last four months to coordinate the theft of my deployment pay."
Margaret looked between me and Brittany, genuine confusion flickering across her face. "Brittany... what is he talking about? Who is David Miller?"
"Shut up, Mom!" Brittany snapped hysterically, dropping her defensive act entirely as panic took over.
"She used you too, Mom," I said, looking at my mother with cold pity. "She convinced you that Claire was the enemy so you would cover for her while she funneled my money into Marcus Kane's illegal lending network."
"Brittany..." Margaret whispered, her voice trembling as she looked at her daughter. "Is this true? You told me Claire was spending the money! You told me she was ruining our family!"
"I did what I had to do!" Brittany shrieked, tears of rage and panic streaming down her face. "You always favored Ethan! He got the military career, the big house, the respect! I had nothing! Marcus promised me that if I helped him route the money through my business, he would give me a thirty percent cut!"
"And what about Claire?" I roared, pointing at my wife’s shaved head and bruised face. "You let those thugs torture my wife!"
"She was in the way!" Brittany screamed back, completely unrepentant. "She was starting to ask questions! If she had gone to the bank, I would have gone to prison!"
"You're going to prison anyway," I said flatly.
Before Brittany could react, I reached into my pocket, pulled out a set of heavy steel military zip-restraints, and grabbed her wrists, securing her tightly behind her back.
"Ethan! What are you doing?!" Margaret screamed, throwing her hands over her mouth. "That's your sister!"
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"She's a criminal who conspired to commit grand larceny, identity theft, and aggravated assault," I said, shoving Brittany down onto the couch. "Mom, you sit right beside her. If either of you tries to leave this house before the state police arrive, I will personally see to it that you are charged as full co-conspirators."
I turned to Claire, holding out my hand. "Let's go. The police are already en route to this address to secure the crime scene. We have an appointment in Hendersonville."
