I came home from a business trip and found my SUV gone. My stepdaughter sat at the kitchen island and casually said, “Dad needed it more than you did.”

She grinned.

“Dad said you’re buying the SUV back.”

I nodded.

“You should celebrate.”

She paused.

Something in my voice bothered her.

But arrogance won.

At 5:40 the next afternoon, I arranged six chairs in the living room.

Laura frowned.

“Why six?”

“You’ll see.”

At 5:55, Derek arrived wearing sunglasses and my leather driving gloves.

Madison hugged him.

At 6:01, the doorbell rang again.

Madison looked at me.

“Who’s that?”

I stood.
“That,” I said, “is the part where this stops being a family argument.”

Two people entered.

Detective Marcus Hill.

And Rebecca Lawson, an investigator from my insurance company’s special investigations unit.

Derek’s grin disappeared.

Madison went pale.

Laura whispered, “Ethan… what did you do?”

I closed the door.

“Nothing.”

Then I looked at Madison.

“That’s the point.”