“He rented a whole house with your money.”

“He needed a four-bedroom place for Heather and the three kids,” I said.

“Where was he planning to live?” Paige asked.

“With them,” I said.

“Or in my apartment, after making me cover his share.”

We left the bank at eleven thirty with four certified, stapled packets in my leather purse.

I drove straight to Elm Street.

Heather’s white sedan was already parked by the curb outside my building, the engine running while Ben slept in his car seat in the back.