It’s the forged second mortgage paperwork.”

“That envelope holds thirty-two thousand dollars in fraudulent liability,” Vance said.

“If he hands you those papers somewhere public, with people watching, his financial leverage vanishes.”

Sarah jingled the car keys in her coat pocket.

“Tell her what she has to do, Vance,” Sarah said.

“You need a public place,” Vance said.

“Somewhere with neutral third-party witnesses who have no connection to either of you.

If he tries to force your hand there, the duress gets documented on the spot.”