One officer asked to see the paperwork she had used for the wedding planning. Stephanie stiffened, insisting there was nothing unusual, but the bag at her side told another story. Under pressure, she handed it over.
Inside, between fabric swatches and seating charts, were the documents: property transfers, financial authorizations, neatly prepared and ready to be filed. Clara’s own signature appeared again and again in ink she remembered laying down after too much wine, believing she was only approving deposits and holds for the big day.