Graham’s mask snaps back into place, but it’s shaky now. “Officers,” he says smoothly. “Thank God. These people are?—”
Saxon raises a hand. “Save it.”
The deputy looks between us, taking in the scene. “What’s going on?”
Saxon gestures toward me. “She has recordings.”
I hold my phone up again. “Texts, threats, harassment. He escalated foreclosure to trap me. He followed me. He sent me a photo from outside a cabin window.”
The deputy’s gaze sharpens. “He sent you a photo from outside where you were staying?”
Graham’s smile tightens. “That’s an allegation.”
Maddie’s voice stays calm. “It’s an image with metadata. Ask her.”
I blink, surprised. Maddie meets my eyes. “I told you. Facts.”
I swallow and nod. “I still have it.”
The deputy steps closer. “Ma’am, can you show me?”
I unlock my phone with fingers that finally feel steady and pull up the image.
The deputy’s face changes when he sees it.
Graham’s face changes too, just slightly. A flash of “oh.”
Then his jaw tightens. “This is a misunderstanding.”
Wyatt makes a low sound that isn’t a laugh. “You’re done.”
The deputy looks at Graham. “Sir, we’re going to need you to come with us.”
Graham’s composure finally cracks. “You can’t— I didn’t— this is?—”
Saxon’s voice turns colder. “You should’ve left when you were told.”
The deputies step in. Graham’s eyes cut to me, furious and desperate. “Ellie, you’re making a mistake.”
I lift my chin. “No. I’m correcting one.”
The deputy takes Graham by the arm.
Graham jerks slightly, trying to pull away like he’s never been handled in his life. “Get your hands off me?—”
Wyatt moves one step forward.
Saxon catches him with a look. Not a shout. A warning.
Wyatt stops.
Barely.
They walk Graham out.
The bell jingles again, but this time it feels like release.
For a second, no one speaks.
