“Mom, he has something in his backpack.”
Tyler immediately grabbed the bag.
That was when I noticed something sticking out of the side pocket.
My grandmother’s velvet jewelry pouch.
“Put that bag down!” I shouted.
Tyler froze.
Mark looked at the pouch.
Then at me.
And for the first time since I walked through the door, nobody said anything.
Sirens were already getting closer.
## Part 2 — What the Police Found
The police arrived less than five minutes later.
Two officers came in first while another pair remained near the hallway.
I moved behind them immediately and pulled Emily close.
Mark raised both hands.
“This is a family dispute,” he said calmly. “My stepson was only looking for personal property.”
I almost laughed.
“My property,” I said. “He broke into my apartment and terrified my daughter.”
One of the officers told Tyler to place his backpack on the floor.
He hesitated.
“Now,” the officer repeated.
Tyler slowly lowered it.
When the bag was opened, my grandmother’s jewelry pouch was sitting right on top.
Underneath were several pieces of jewelry, two checkbooks, and copies of papers taken from my desk.
Then the officer pulled out a folder.
My heart nearly stopped.
The property documents.
I turned toward Mark.
“You knew exactly where they were.”
He shook his head quickly.
“I had no idea what Tyler was doing.”
Tyler suddenly spoke.
“You told me to get them.”
The entire room went silent.
Mark stared at him.
“Tyler, shut up.”
“No!” Tyler snapped. “You said if I found the papers, you could finally prove the house was yours.”
Karen looked at Mark in disbelief.
“You told me you weren’t trying to take her house,” she whispered.
Mark immediately became defensive.
“I was trying to protect my family.”
One of the officers asked whether Mark had threatened me before.
