Chapter 6 - Whispers and Threats
The next morning, the silence of the apartment was shattered by a loud, aggressive pounding on the front door.
Callie opened it to find Dakota standing there, wearing an expensive designer trench coat, her face twisted in a sneer. She didn't wait to be invited; she pushed past Callie into the small living room.
"Where is she?" Dakota demanded, looking around the modest apartment with disgust.
"She's sleeping, Dakota. What are you doing here?" Callie asked, keeping her voice calm but firm.
Dakota turned on her, her eyes flashing with malice. "Don't play dumb with us, Callie. Joel's contact at the bank told him someone accessed Geneva’s old safe deposit box. We know you have the key. What did you take out of that box?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Callie lied smoothly. "I went to the bank to ask about her savings. They told me there was nothing left. If there was a box, I certainly don't have a key for it."
Dakota stepped closer, the scent of her expensive perfume overpowering the smell of cinnamon and sugar from Callie's kitchen. She reached into her handbag and pulled out a legal document, slapping it onto the dining table.
"This is an emergency custody and guardianship petition," Dakota said, her voice dripping with venom. "We've filed a report with Adult Protective Services claiming you are keeping Geneva in unsafe, unsanitary conditions to extort money from us. If you don't hand over whatever was in that box right now, the police and social services will be here by noon to rip her out of this apartment. And you? You'll be facing felony charges for elder abuse."
Callie looked at the document. It was signed by a local judge known to be close friends with Joel. They were moving faster than she expected. They were desperate.
"You wouldn't do that to your own family," Callie said, trying to buy time.
"Family?" Dakota laughed, a cold, dry sound. "Geneva is a vegetable, Callie. And you are a nobody baker. We are trying to build a real estate empire. We aren't going to let a crazy old woman and a pathetic little girl ruin everything we’ve built. You have until 5:00 PM today to deliver that key and the contents of that box to Joel's office. Or we destroy you."
May you like
With that, Dakota spun on her heel and slammed the door behind her.
Callie collapsed against the door, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. The clock was ticking. She had less than eight hours.
