CHAPTER 5: A House With Two Sets of Locks

Officer Reyes opened the folder under the shelter of the patrol car's trunk while rain struck the metal above him.
Vivian spoke over his shoulder. 'She is emotional. My son died, and she has been unstable since.'
Maya looked at her. 'I have been locked out since the burial.'
'Because you abandoned the house.'
'I was at the funeral home.'
Officer Lane stopped writing.
Lucas stared at the wet pavement. It was easier for him to count raindrops than meet Maya's eyes.
The first page in the folder was simple enough that no family story could improve it. Aaron and Maya owned the house jointly. Vivian had no listed interest. Lucas had no listed interest. No estate hearing had granted either of them authority to remove property, change locks, or dispose of personal items.
Reyes looked toward the front door. 'Mrs. Graydon, who changed the locks?'
Vivian smiled with the patience of a woman explaining manners to staff. 'Lucas arranged it for security.'
'Before or after Mrs. Calder Graydon was notified?'
No one answered quickly enough.
The house, warm behind Vivian, suddenly looked less like a home and more like evidence.