Chapter 12: Paperwork Under Spotlight

Sheriff Hollister’s eyes flickered from Dr. Marsh to Croft, then back to the scene.

“Alright, everyone stay in the foyer,” he commanded, his voice carrying the authority of his office. “No one touches anything until I’ve had a chance to assess the situation.”

He then turned his full attention to Dr. Marsh. “Dr. Marsh, what brings you to Oakhaven Estate at this hour?”

Dr. Marsh calmly unzipped her waterproof case, pulling out a stack of large, certified state survey maps. “I was working at the town archives with Clara Higgins when the power went out. I’ve been trying to verify some discrepancies in Croft Heritage Properties’ land filings.”

She laid the maps out on a small table in the foyer, weighing them down with her hands. “Specifically, a ten-foot boundary variance that directly impacts this property.”

Croft scoffed, stepping forward. “What’s a historian going to know about modern property law? This is my property, Sheriff! He’s a burglar!”

Sheriff Hollister ignored him. “Dr. Marsh, can you explain this variance?”

“Certainly,” she said, tapping a section of the map. “Croft’s digital deeds claim a boundary that, according to these original state survey markers, simply does not exist. It’s a land grab.”

She then turned to Gavin Finch. “Mr. Finch, as the appraiser for Croft Heritage Properties, did you physically survey this hearth boundary before stamping Croft’s eviction filings?”

Finch, who had been trying to shrink into the shadows behind Croft, suddenly looked like he’d swallowed his tongue. His face went pale under the harsh beam of Deputy Higgins’s flashlight.

“I… I…” Finch stammered, his eyes darting to Croft, then to the floor.

“Did you or did you not personally verify the exact boundary lines that Croft’s firm is using to evict Mr. Pendelton?” Dr. Marsh pressed, her tone sharp and unwavering.

Finch’s shoulders slumped. He wrung his hands, visibly sweating despite the cool, damp air from the storm.

“I… no,” Finch whispered, barely audible. “I didn’t. I… I used the digital records provided by Mr. Croft’s office.”

Croft let out a frustrated grunt.

“And Mr. Finch,” Dr. Marsh continued, relentless. “Did you notarize these demolition and eviction documents for Mr. Croft using an expired license number?”

Finch’s head snapped up, his eyes wide with panic. He looked from Dr. Marsh to Sheriff Hollister, then to Croft, who was now glaring at him with murderous intent.

“I… I was told it was just a technicality,” Finch choked out, his voice cracking. “Mr. Croft assured me it was fine. He… he offered me seventy-five thousand dollars for my cooperation.”

A collective gasp went through the small group. Croft’s face turned scarlet, his mouth hanging open. The accusation of a $500,000 burglary instantly paled in comparison to this confession.

Sheriff Hollister’s expression was grim. “Mr. Finch, you’re admitting to notarizing forged transfer deeds in exchange for a kickback?”

Finch could only nod, his eyes filling with tears. The bribe, the expired license, the falsified appraisal—all laid bare under the unyielding spotlight of truth.