The Doppelgänger’s Funeral: How a Small-Town Land Appraiser Uncovered His Own Staged Death and Business Partner’s $4.2 Million Scheme
👉 Previous Decision: You chose to duck behind the heavy velvet drapes of the choir loft overlooking the chapel.
The velvet drapes were heavy, offering a cramped but effective concealment. I held my breath, listening to the heavy footsteps pass down the hallway below, then descend the main stairs.
I carefully parted a fold of the fabric, peering down into the chapel. Below, Derrick Croft stood by the open casket, talking in low tones to Garrett Kincaid, the county insurance adjuster.
“The payout is confirmed, then?” Derrick asked, his voice a low murmur that still carried in the quiet space.
Kincaid nodded, rubbing his chin. “Yep. One point eight million. Casualty insurance. Soon as the chapel goes up tonight. With the replica inside, of course.”
A cold dread washed over me. Tonight. Arson. They planned to burn the funeral home to destroy the evidence of my staged death, all for an insurance payout.
Derrick looked toward the casket, a grim satisfaction on his face. “Perfect. No body, no Arthur. Just a missing person and a tragedy.”
I pulled back from the drapes, my hands clammy. He wasn’t just erasing me; he was planning to incinerate any trace of his crime, and profit immensely from it.
➡️ Read CHAPTER 8 to continue the story.
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