Chapter 1 - The Scream
My mother’s shriek echoed violently through the hardwood floors.
It was high and sharp enough to rattle the hallway windows.
Dad pushed past Brandon in a frantic panic.
His slippers slid across the rug as he scrambled toward the staircase.
Brandon remained completely frozen in my bedroom doorway.
The color had entirely drained from his arrogant face.
He stared at his glowing phone screen like it was a live grenade.
"What did you do, Ava?" he whispered.
I hoisted my heavy backpack over my shoulder with a calm smile.
"I forwarded your digital footprint," I said quietly.
"I sent the loan applications and the forged signatures."
Brandon swallowed hard as his hands began to shake.
"Who did you send them to?" he asked.
"The local police department," I replied.
"I also copied the federal fraud division and Dad's managing partner at the accounting firm."
Dad came sprinting back up the stairs.
His face was purple with pure, unadulterated rage.
"You vindictive little liar!" Dad roared.
He lunged toward me with his large hands raised.
Heavy, frantic knocking suddenly pounded against our front door.
Bright red and blue lights flashed through the living room windows.
Dad stopped dead in his tracks.
"You actually called the cops on your own family," Dad muttered in disbelief.
He turned around and marched downstairs to open the heavy oak door.
Two uniformed police officers stepped immediately into the foyer.
I walked down the stairs with my luggage, ready to watch them arrest my brother.
The lead officer pulled out a pair of heavy steel handcuffs.
"Ava Montgomery, you are under arrest for grand larceny and wire fraud," the officer announced.
May you like
He grabbed my wrists roughly and slammed the cold metal shut.
Brandon stood at the top of the stairs with a wicked, victorious grin.
