Chapter 3: The Forty Thousand Dollars
Aaron didn't go home that night.
He sat in his car across from the house until the porch light switched on.
Then off.
Then on again.
Emma was inside.
He knew because her SUV was in the driveway.
Marcus's truck was behind it.
Aaron stared through the windshield.
His phone rested in the cup holder.
He had seventeen missed calls.
Most were from Emma.
Three were from unknown numbers.
One was from his bank.
He called the bank.
"Mr. Blake," the representative said, "I'm calling regarding unusual activity on your joint account.""
Aaron closed his eyes.
"How unusual?""
"There was an attempted transfer this afternoon.""
"How much?""
"Forty thousand dollars.""
His stomach dropped.
"Was it successful?""
"No.""
"Why?""
"The transfer was flagged because the destination account is newly added.""
Aaron gripped the steering wheel.
"Whose account?""
The representative hesitated.
"For security reasons, I can't provide the account holder's full information over the phone.""
"Then give me what you can.""
"The account ends in 1842.""
Aaron knew those numbers.
His eyes opened.
"That's Marcus's account.""
Silence.
The representative said, "If you believe the transaction was unauthorized, we can place a temporary hold.""
"Do it.""
"We'll need confirmation from both account holders for certain actions.""
Aaron looked at his house.
"Don't contact my wife yet.""
"Mr. Blake—"
"Please.""
He ended the call.
His phone immediately rang.
Emma.
He watched the screen until it stopped.
Then she called again.
Aaron answered.
"Where are you?""
Her voice was shaking.
"Outside.""
"Outside where?""
"You know where.""
A long silence.
"Did you go to the bank?""
"Yes.""
Emma exhaled.
"Aaron, listen to me.""
"I've been listening.""
"No. You haven't.""
"Then explain why you tried to move forty thousand dollars to Marcus.""
"I didn't.""
"The bank says you did.""
"I didn't!""
Her voice cracked.
Aaron leaned back.
"Then who did?""
"I don't know.""
"You expect me to believe that?""
"I expect you to believe me because you know me.""
Aaron looked at the house.
"I don't know who you are right now.""
Emma went silent.
Then she whispered, "They're watching us.""
"Who?""
"I can't say.""
"Emma—"
"Not on the phone.""
Aaron's jaw tightened.
"Come outside.""
"No.""
"Then tell me what's happening.""
"I can't.""
"Why?""
"Because Lily is inside.""
Aaron frowned.
"What does Lily have to do with it?""
Emma didn't answer.
He heard a door close on her end.
Then a man's voice.
Aaron sat forward.
"Was that Marcus?""
No response.
"Emma?""
The call ended.
Aaron got out of the car.
He crossed the driveway.
Before he reached the front door, it opened.
Marcus stood there.
Thirty-eight, athletic, clean-shaven, wearing a gray hoodie.
He looked calm.
Too calm.
"Aaron.""
"Move.""
Marcus stepped onto the porch.
"You shouldn't be here.""
"My daughter is in that house.""
"Emma asked me to help.""
"Then help by getting out of my way.""
Marcus sighed.
"You've always had a temper.""
Aaron stopped.
There it was.
The same language from the school form.
The same suggestion that Aaron was unstable.
"You know what?"" Aaron said.
"That's interesting.""
"What?""
"Everyone suddenly knows I'm angry.""
Marcus's eyes flickered.
Aaron stepped closer.
"Did you fill out that school form?""
"No.""
"Did you tell Emma to accuse me?""
"No.""
"Then why is your bank account where my forty thousand dollars was supposed to go?""
Marcus's face changed.
Only for a second.
But Aaron saw it.
"What are you talking about?""
"The transfer.""
"I don't know anything about that.""
"That's funny.""
Marcus crossed his arms.
"You need to leave.""
"Or what?""
Marcus looked past him.
Aaron followed his gaze.
Across the street, a black SUV sat with its engine running.
Tinted windows.
No headlights.
Aaron turned back.
"Who's that?""
Marcus didn't answer.
Aaron's phone vibrated.
A text from Emma.
*Aaron, don't come inside.*
Another appeared.
*Marcus is not who you think he is.*
Aaron looked up.
Marcus was staring at the phone in his hand.
"Who texted you?""
Aaron didn't respond.
Marcus stepped down from the porch.
"Aaron.""
"What?""
"Whatever Emma told you, she's scared.""
"Of you?""
Marcus smiled faintly.
"Of what happens if you don't listen.""
Aaron heard the front door click behind them.
He spun around.
Emma stood in the doorway.
Her face was pale.
She held a small brown envelope against her chest.
She looked directly at Aaron.
Then at Marcus.
May you like
And said four words that made Aaron forget how to breathe.
"She knows about Lily.""
