Chapter 6: The Filing
Helen filed the papers on a Tuesday morning.
The petition for divorce included emergency temporary orders: exclusive use of the marital residence, a full financial restraining order, and interim control of all accounts bearing my name. Simultaneously, the fraud affidavits and supporting documents were submitted to the credit bureaus and the appropriate investigative channels. A formal letter went to Ryan and Linda requiring them to vacate the house within seventy-two hours pending the court’s decision on exclusive use.
I did not deliver any of it in person.
I was in a classified briefing when the notifications went out. When I checked my phone during a break, Helen’s message was already waiting.
Served. Clock is running.
I put the phone away and returned to the briefing.
The unit’s operational tempo was high enough to demand full attention. I gave it. The promotion had not been ceremonial; the responsibilities attached to the new command were immediate and exacting. Whatever was happening off-post would be handled in its proper lane. I would not allow Ryan and Linda to occupy space in the middle of my workday.
At 1600 Helen called.
“They received the packet,” she said. “Ryan attempted to call you six times. Linda left two voicemails accusing you of abandoning the family. I’ve documented everything. The temporary orders hearing is set for Friday.”
“I’ll be there.”
“They’ll argue hardship and lack of notice.”
“They had years of notice every time they spent money they didn’t earn,” I said. “Friday is fine.”
After the call I returned to the headquarters building and finished the remaining paperwork for the day. The shaved scalp beneath my cover still pulled slightly when I moved, a physical reminder that remained useful. It kept the matter from sliding into abstraction.
May you like
They had drawn first blood while I slept.
The rest of the sequence would not be conducted in the dark.
