Chapter 5 - The "Peace" Summit
On Saturday morning, Mom arrived in town, checking into a hotel near the interstate and demanding an immediate meeting at a neutral restaurant.
When I entered the private dining room, all three were present: Mom sat in the center with a handkerchief clutched to her face, Mara sat poised with a smirk, and Landon slouched in the corner, arms crossed defensively.
"Barrett," Mom began, her voice quivering with performative heartbreak. "Look at what this stubbornness has brought us to. Landon has agreed to drop all legal claims if you give him fifty thousand dollars directly from your savings."
"Fifty grand in cash," Landon grunted, stepping forward. "No paperwork. Just the money, and we walk away."
I pulled a small digital recorder from my pocket and set it squarely in the middle of the table. The red recording light glowed steady.
"Landon," I said evenly, "extortion is a federal felony. Forging a deceased veteran's signature on a home equity loan carries a mandatory prison sentence. And bringing fraudulent claims to a military commander is criminal libel."
Landon’s face drained of color. Mara’s posture stiffened immediately.
"You're bluffing," Mara whispered.
May you like
"I don't bluff," I replied. "You have twenty-four hours to turn over Dad’s Zippo and surrender yourselves to the county prosecutor, or the federal marshals will handle it for you."
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