Chapter 5 - The Exhumation
The heavy thud of boots sounded on the stairs.
Three federal agents and two local police officers breached the nursery. Agent Thorne, looking older but just as sharp as he had five years ago, stepped through the doorway with his badge raised.
"Daniel Mercer," Thorne said, looking at the man on the floor with utter disgust. "You are under arrest for wire fraud, insurance fraud, identity theft, and evading federal creditors. Celeste Mercer, you are under arrest for conspiracy and accessory to fraud."
"I want a lawyer!" Celeste shrieked as an officer forcefully cuffed her hands behind her back. "This is a mistake! My son is dead!"
"We'll see about that," Thorne said coldly. "We've already secured the court order to exhume the casket."
Daniel didn't fight as they pulled him to his feet. He looked at me, a pathetic, broken shell of a man who had traded his soul for money and lost both.
"Elena, please," Daniel whispered as they dragged him past me. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
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"I forgave you five years ago when I buried you," I replied softly, making sure he heard every word. "But the man standing in front of me is just a criminal. And I don't forgive criminals."
I didn't stay to watch them load my dead husband into the back of a squad car. I placed the audit files gently on the dresser for Sophie, gave her a sad, knowing nod of solidarity, and walked out the front door. The cool afternoon air hit my face, and for the first time in half a decade, I didn't feel the weight of a ghost walking beside me. I was completely, finally, beautifully free.
