Chapter 8 - The Story Linda Told the Police
Joanna unlocked the door before Linda could reach Robert.
Two Phoenix police officers stood outside.
Neither had a weapon drawn.
The older officer looked first at Joanna’s disheveled hair, then at the lighter in Linda’s hand.
“Everyone step apart.”
Linda immediately began crying.
The transformation was astonishing.
Her shoulders collapsed.
Her voice shook.
“My daughter attacked me.”
Beth stared at her.
Robert closed his eyes.
Joanna held up her phone.
“I have been recording.”
Linda pointed toward the property folder.
“She came here demanding money. When I refused, she grabbed me.”
The officer looked at Joanna.
“Ma’am, place the folder and phone on the island.”
Joanna obeyed slowly.
The second officer moved between Linda and Joanna.
“What happened to your hair?” he asked.
“My mother pulled it while holding that lighter near my face.”
Linda gasped.
“I was lighting a candle.”
“There is no candle near the stool,” Joanna said.
The first officer noticed the white legal folder.
“What are these documents?”
Beth answered before Linda could stop her.
“Papers for Joanna to help pay for my wedding.”
Linda shot her a furious look.
The officer opened the folder.
His expression changed as he read the home-equity authorization.
“Did Joanna agree to this?”
“No,” Joanna said.
Linda interrupted.
“She owes us.”
“That was not my question.”
Linda’s crying stopped.
Joanna explained the stolen bank records, the coerced signature attempt, and the false Monterey report.
Then she played part of the recording.
That money was for Beth’s wedding.
You belong to this family.
Robert… what did you report?
The officer listened without expression.
Linda folded her arms.
“She edited it.”
“It is a continuous recording,” Joanna said.
The second officer picked up the yellow lighter using a tissue.
Linda’s face tightened.
The older officer asked Robert what had been placed inside the Monterey box.
Robert began trembling.
Linda stared at him.
It was the same stare she had used on Joanna her entire childhood.
A warning disguised as silence.
Robert opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Joanna realized he might still retreat.
Then Beth spoke.
“Dad said Mom packed Grandma’s jewelry.”
Linda spun toward her.
“You ungrateful idiot.”
Beth flinched.
The officer’s eyes sharpened.
“Whose jewelry?”
Joanna answered.
“Property reported missing after my grandmother died.”
The officer reached for his radio.
“We need Monterey PD contacted immediately. Tell them not to disturb the package until they receive the updated statement.”
Linda’s face went pale.
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For the first time, the plan had escaped her control.
👉 Linda had counted on the jewelry proving Joanna’s guilt—but the shipping receipt showed exactly who had sent the box.
