Chapter 41

‘Hi, yeah, I’d like to report stolen property. A vintage brooch, pearls and diamonds, easily worth seven figures. If someone refuses to return it, does that count as grand larceny? What kind of sentence are we talking—ten years minimum?’ ‘What the hell are you doing?!’ Caroline shrieked, full banshee mode. ‘Have you lost your mind? Put that phone down!’ She lunged from the sofa. One slipper flew off mid-sprint, but she didn’t even notice. Too busy flailing at me, trying to snatch the phone from my hand. I stepped back calmly, dodging her grab like we were doing slow-mo tai chi. ‘Too late. I already called the cops. They said they’re on their way.’ Caroline froze. Her legs went wobbly like someone pulled the plug on her spine. ‘You called the police? Over this little thing? Are you insane?’ ‘Oh, now it’s just “a little thing”?’ I folded my arms. ‘If it’s so unimportant, why’ve you spent the last ten minutes playing keep-away?’ ‘You don’t call the police on your mother!’ she shrieked. ‘W