"Bear," Sheriff Davis said with a weary sigh. "Prophet called dispatch. Said you had a situation involving Jax's kid. I thought he was pulling my leg."
Carl froze, his jaw dropping open. "You... you know him?"
Davis turned slowly to look at Carl. "I went to high school with Jax Miller, buddy. And I've known Bear for twenty years. Now, Prophet mentioned something over the phone about fraud and child endangerment?"
Bear handed the entire thick file of documents to the sheriff. "Jax's original, notarized will. Proof of the trust. Prophet’s got the bank statements showing Carl here has been systematically draining the accounts for eight months, right up to trying to liquidate the estate today while prepping to hand the girl to state ward services tomorrow morning."
Sheriff Davis opened the file. He read the first page, his expression darkening rapidly. He flipped to the bank records Prophet handed him. The evidence was absolute, paper-trailed, and undeniable.
Davis snapped the folder shut. He looked at Carl, whose face was completely drenched in sweat.
"Carl Vance," Davis said, his voice hard. "You’re under arrest for grand larceny, forgery, fraud, and child endangerment. Turn around and put your hands behind your back."
"This is a mistake!" Carl cried out as two deputies stepped forward, grabbing his arms roughly and slapping cold steel cuffs over his wrists. "She’s my stepdaughter! That paperwork is a lie!"
"Save it for the judge," Davis said in disgust, waving the deputies away. They dragged Carl down the driveway, ignoring his increasingly desperate screams, and shoved him into the back of a cruiser.
The flashing lights painted the quiet suburban lawn in harsh red and blue flashes. Sheriff Davis let out a long breath, handing the legal file back to Bear.
"The county courts will have to officially process the transfer of guardianship," Davis said quietly. "But with this documentation, and considering the circumstances... she's in your custody right now, Bear. You’re the executor."
"Appreciate it, Sheriff," Bear said, shaking the lawman’s hand.
Davis tipped his hat to the little girl, then turned and walked back to his cruiser, leaving the property to the bikers.