She didn't hear the unmarked black SUVs pull up.
Chapter 5
Three federal investigators, accompanied by Harold in his full deputy sheriff uniform and two local police cruisers, parked directly in front of Leah's house. The neighborhood went dead silent.
Leah dropped her clipboard. The color drained from her face, reverting to that same sickly gray from two weeks prior.
Harold stepped forward, holding a thick folder. Behind him, the federal agents moved up the driveway.
"Leah Morgan-Gray," Harold's voice boomed across the lawn. "You are under arrest for federal insurance fraud, forgery, and grand larceny."
Leah stood entirely frozen, her mouth opening and closing without sound. As the feds placed her in handcuffs, the local sheriff walked past the bewildered crowd and stopped right in front of Sophia. With a perfectly straight face, the sheriff delivered a crisp, respectful salute to my wife.
Karen—I mean, Leah—went completely silent, looking like someone had just announced her execution date.
In the end, Leah's attempt to intimidate my wife over a few cardboard boxes was the very thing that unraveled her entire criminal empire. Today, Willow Creek is quieter, our HOA dues have mysteriously dropped by 40%, and Harold is our new HOA President.
As for Sophia? She still brings her work boxes home on the weekends. But nowadays, the only thing the neighbors offer her is a friendly wave and a fresh cup of coffee.