“I had to do it,” Greg sobbed. “She said you wouldn’t find out.”

Beatrice had brought him the document, signed it herself, and forced him to stamp it.

The real estate agency was my next call. I spoke to the managing broker and informed them the title was contested and subject to an active police investigation for deed fraud. They pulled the listing immediately.

The next day, Beatrice was at the Portage Avenue house. She had invited the prospective cash buyers to look at the master bedroom. She was smiling, showing them the hardwood floors Nick had refinished.

I walked in through the front door, the key turning easily in the lock. Deputy Miller and 2 other officers were behind me.

Beatrice’s smile vanished. She glared at me, asking what I was doing.

Deputy Miller stepped forward, reading the warrant before she could scream.

Handcuffs clicked around her wrists in the living room she had tried to steal.

The prospective buyers watched in silence, backing down the porch steps.

Greg Simmons was arrested at his office later that afternoon.

His notary license was revoked, and the state suspended his insurance business.

To avoid jail time, Beatrice pleaded guilty to a felony charge of filing a fraudulent instrument.

She received 3 years of probation and a 15,000 dollar fine.

More importantly, the county judge ordered the deed corrected.

Last night, Clara and I sat in our living room.

The custom wooden jewelry box was back in its place on the dresser.

Clara was playing with her dolls on the rug, her laughter filling the house.

I walked to the window to look at the garden.

The tomatoes on the windowsill are finally turning red.

The house is quiet.

And we are home.