You Failed the Test

I reached into Mr. Meyers’ open briefcase, pulled out the thick legal deed, and dropped it on the coffee table.

It landed with a heavy smack. “You failed the test,” I said.

Vanessa let go of Daniel’s arm, staring at the document. “Daniel… what is she talking about? You said you owned this place. You said you had equity!”

Daniel’s face cycled through red and pale white. He lunged for the papers, reading the first page frantically. “This is a forgery! This is impossible!”

“The only forgery in this room, Daniel, is the three million dollars in commercial debt you took out in my name,” I said.

A collective gasp went through the room. An older man near the back — Arthur Vance, Daniel’s biggest potential investor — set his drink down with a sharp clink. “Fraud? Carter, what the hell is she talking about?”