CHAPTER 7 — The Family Dinner
CHAPTER 7 — The Family Dinner
Saturday arrived with eerie calm.
Mrs. Gable had transformed the house into the picture of a perfect family gathering.
The dining table overflowed with roast chicken, homemade pies, candles, and flowers.
Anyone walking in would have thought they were celebrating a birthday.
Only I knew it was a crime scene waiting to happen.
Hidden beneath my blouse was a recording device provided by Agent Harris.
Outside, unmarked vehicles were parked several streets away.
No flashing lights.
No uniforms.
Just patience.
As dinner ended, Austin stood and disappeared into the study.
When he returned, he carried the familiar manila folder.
Everyone smiled.
Mrs. Gable raised a glass.
"To family."
They all toasted.
Then Austin placed the folder in front of me.
"We've updated everything."
"This is the last document."
"You sign tonight..."
"...and tomorrow we can finally move forward."
I slowly opened the folder.
There it was.
A loan for $480,000.
Borrower: Austin Gable.
Guarantor: Mackenzie Gable.
Every page already contained information that only Blake could have provided.
My salary.
My savings.
My investment accounts.
Mrs. Gable leaned closer.
"I know you won't disappoint us."
I looked at Blake.
He squeezed my hand.
"After everything my family has done for you..."
"...this is the least you can do."
I almost laughed.
Done for me?
They had stolen my peace.
My home.
My marriage.
Tonight they wanted my future.
I picked up the pen.
Every eye followed my hand.
Austin could barely hide his excitement.
Mrs. Gable whispered,
"I knew she'd come around."
Instead of signing...
I turned the document around.
"I have one question."
Austin frowned.
"What?"
"Why is my signature already on page seven?"
The room froze.
Blake's face lost all color.
Mrs. Gable grabbed the folder.
Austin flipped through the pages frantically.
There it was.
A flawless copy of my signature.
Except...
I had never signed it.
No one spoke.
Then Blake forced a laugh.
"Probably a printing error."
"A printing error?" I asked calmly.
"That copied my exact signature?"
Austin reached for the papers.
"I'll fix it."
Before he could touch them, I closed the folder.
"No."
"I think we're done pretending."
I stood up.
"So let's tell the truth."
I looked directly at Mrs. Gable.
"You assaulted me."
I turned to Austin.
"You forged financial documents."
Then I faced Blake.
"You married women for their money."
His chair slammed backward.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
I smiled.
"I know about Emily."
Silence.
"Rachel."
Austin stopped breathing.
"Sophia."
Mrs. Gable's wine glass slipped from her hand and shattered on the floor.
"Danielle."
Blake whispered,
"How..."
Before he could finish—
A loud knock echoed through the house.
Then another.
Even louder.
"FEDERAL AGENTS!"
"NO ONE MOVE!"
The front door burst open.
Agents flooded the house from every entrance.
"FBI!"
"Hands where we can see them!"
Mrs. Gable screamed.
Austin tried running toward the back door.
Two agents tackled him before he reached the hallway.
Blake stared at me in complete disbelief.
"You..."
"You set us up."
I looked him in the eyes.
May you like
"No."
"You set yourselves up."
