The Dollar That Opened the Door

Calvin stared at it but didn’t touch it.

“Also,” David added, “there’s a county unit outside. And a state investigator on the way.”

For the first time, real fear showed.

“You set me up,” Calvin said.

“No,” I replied evenly. “You walked in.”

Silence settled over the room like dust.

Mabel spoke next, her voice soft but steady.

“I trusted you,” she said.

That was the one that broke him.

Not the legal threat.