Chapter 14 - The Phone Call
Richard’s smug smile vanished instantly. The deputy looked back and forth between the two men, sensing the escalating hostility.
“Alright, gentlemen,” the deputy said, holding up both hands. “I think everyone here needs to take a step back and calm down.”
“No,” I said clearly.
They all stopped and looked at me. I slowly closed my hand around the brass key, feeling its comforting weight.
“I want a formal police report filed right now, Deputy,” I stated.
Vanessa blinked, momentarily thrown off script. “Against who? For what?”
“Against Richard Vale,” I said, locking eyes with him. “For false reporting to a police officer, public harassment, and illegal interference with the administration of an active estate.”
Richard let out a loud, booming laugh. It was entirely too loud, completely forced, and desperately trying to project control.
“You are delusional, Emily. You honestly think you can threaten a man in my position with a small-town county deputy?”
“No, Richard,” I said softly. “I think Mom already did.”
Right on cue, my cell phone rang. It was an unknown local number. Everyone stared at my purse as if the ringing sound had literally cracked open the cemetery earth. I pulled it out and answered.
“Emily Carter speaking.”
A woman’s voice spoke clearly and professionally through the speaker. “Ms. Carter, this is Dana Wilkes, the branch manager from First Harbor Bank. Mr. Pierce notified us of your mother’s passing this morning. Per Margaret Carter’s strict legal instructions, the contents of her safe deposit box can only be released to you, in person. There is also a sealed digital drive inside that requires your biometric authorization.”
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Richard’s eyes locked onto mine, burning with absolute panic. I immediately put the call on speakerphone for maximum effect.
Dana continued smoothly. “We also need to officially inform you, as the executor, that there were three failed, highly aggressive access attempts made on this specific box in the past month by a Mr. Richard Vale.”
