Chapter 2: We Found the Notary
Barron's arm dropped to his side.
The phone was still recording.
The woman in the charcoal suit introduced herself as Special Agent Dana Reiss, Financial Crimes Division.
She didn't raise her voice.
She didn't have to.
"Mr.
Keller, we have a warrant to preserve any recordings made on your device tonight.
Please do not power it off."
Celina stepped forward.
"This is a private event.
You have no right—"
"Ma'am, please step back."
My battalion commander stood slowly.
Every officer at the surrounding tables had gone still.
Barron looked at me.
For the first time all evening, the smirk was completely gone.
"Adela." His voice dropped low.
"Whatever you told them — we can fix this.
Just tell them it was a misunderstanding."
I looked at him for a long moment.
"Like the misunderstanding on the loan documents?
Or the one on the deed?"
Celina's face went pale.
One of the officers moved toward Barron and held out an evidence bag.
"The phone, Mr.
Keller."
Barron handed it over.
His hand was shaking.
That was when Agent Reiss turned to Celina and said four words that made the entire ballroom go silent.
May you like
"We found the notary."
Celina's glass slipped from her fingers and sh@ttered on the floor.
