Chapter 4

A warning bell went off in my head. Why wouldn't she just bring the money out? Why send me back into a private office alone?

It felt like a trap.

I pulled out my phone as I walked toward the office. My hands were shaking, but I managed to navigate to the voice recorder app and press the red button. I slid the phone into my back pocket, the camera lens peeking out just above the fabric.

The office was empty. On the center of the desk sat a thick, white envelope. My name wasn't on it. It just sat there, waiting.

I hesitated for a second, then reached out and picked it up. It was heavy with cash. A wave of relief washed over me. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe they just wanted this to be over.

As my fingers closed around the envelope, the office door flew open.

Gabrielle and her parents stormed in, and right behind them was a uniformed Austin police officer.

"There she is, officer!" Gabrielle shouted, pointing dramatically. "I caught her red-handed!"

Mr. Chadwick stepped forward, his face a picture of solemn betrayal. "We had that money set aside for a charity donation to the children's hospital. I can't believe she would just walk in here and steal it."

The officer looked from their outraged faces to me, holding the envelope of cash. His expression was stern. "Ma'am, I'm going to need you to put the envelope down and explain what you're doing here."

The trap had sprung. They hadn't just lured me in; they had brought a witness to frame me for theft. My relief curdled into ice-cold fear. They weren't just trying to avoid paying me; they were trying to ruin me.