Chapter 3 - The Confrontation
By 1:00 PM, the rain had cleared, leaving behind a crisp, sunny autumn afternoon.
At the end of Grandpa’s long driveway, three vehicles were parked: Victor’s SUV, Larissa’s sedan, and a large commercial dumpster.
Through the open front door, I could see two movers tossing Grandpa’s handmade wooden furniture out into the yard. Kyle was standing on the porch, holding a beer, while Larissa was bossing the workers around.
I pulled my car up behind Victor's SUV. Behind me, two marked Sheriff’s Department cruisers pulled in, their red and blue lights flashing silently.
Larissa walked down the porch steps, her face twisted in annoyance. "Elena? What are you doing back here with the police? I told you, your free ride is—"
Sheriff Miller—no relation to us, but a lifelong friend of Grandpa's—stepped out of his cruiser, holding a stack of court papers.
"Larissa Miller," Sheriff Miller announced in a booming voice. "I have an emergency court injunction issued by Judge Callahan. You, Victor, and Kyle are ordered to cease and desist all activities on this property immediately."
Victor rushed out of the house, his face pale. "What is the meaning of this? I hold the deed! Ms. Sterling read the will!"
"Ms. Sterling has been taken into custody for questioning regarding estate fraud and document forgery," Sheriff Miller replied coldly. "The actual owner of this property, the surrounding land, and all accounts is Elena Miller, under the Frank Miller Revocable Trust."
Larissa let out a sharp, hysterical shriek. "That's impossible! The old fool was senile! He didn't know what he was signing!"
"There is a notarized video recording from three weeks ago proving his full mental capacity, Larissa," Mr. Vance said, stepping out of my passenger side. "And if you don't remove your workers and yourselves from this property in five minutes, Sheriff Miller will arrest you all for grand larceny and trespass."
Kyle dropped his beer bottle. It shattered on the driveway. "Mom... what is he talking about?"
"Shut up, Kyle!" Larissa screamed, turning on me with wild eyes. "You little snake! You manipulated him! You stole my inheritance!"
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Ranger stepped out of my car. He didn't bark. He simply walked to my side, stood shoulder-to-shoulder against my leg, and let out a deep, chest-rumbling growl that made Kyle take three steps backward.
"Get off my land, Larissa," I said, my voice steady and unwavering. "And take your dumpster with you."
