A week later, Robert called. Got a package from Kevin Torres. Insurance claim forms, repair invoices, email chain. This is damning Waldo. Clear insurance fraud. $80,000 discrepancy. Can you forward it to the department anonymously? I can file as concerned party. Won’t include names unless they need witness testimony. Do it. This could mean criminal charges. Good. While researching Michael’s business records, I’d notice something else. IRS filed a lien against Michael Sterling personally. 23,000 in unpaid payroll taxes from 2021. Lien still active. Debt unpaid. I called Robert. Did you know Michael owes the IRS 23,000? No, but that’s public record. Why? Because the IRS doesn’t forget and they’re harder to run from than family.
2 weeks after Robert submitted the complaint, confirmation arrived. California Department of Insurance opened formal investigation. Case Demer 2025 SACE1 1847. Michael would be contacted for interview if evidence held. Potential criminal referral to Sacramento County District Attorney. I received this news while playing chess with Harold on my back porch. March sunshine weak but warming. Harold moved his knight. You’re enjoying this. Watching him squirm. I’m ensuring justice is served. There’s a difference. Is there? Seems like revenge to me. I studied the board, selected my bishop, moved it diagonally across in one smooth motion, lifted Harold’s queen, set it aside among captured pieces. Call it what you want. By the time he realizes what’s happening, it’ll be too late. Harold stared at the board. I didn’t see that move coming. That’s the point of a long game, Harold. My hand rested on the captured queen, smooth wood warm from afternoon sun. Government machinery engaged now, wheels turning beyond my control. I imagined Michael receiving that letter from the Department of Insurance, the panic blooming in his chest as his past caught up to his present. The queen sat silent in my palm, power taken, game progressing exactly as planned.
