“Officers, good morning,” he said, his voice instantly smooth and cooperative. “How can I help you?”

The officer on the left was tall, with a graying mustache and a clipboard in his hand.

“Are you Rylan Vance?” the officer asked.

“I am,” Rylan said, leaning against the doorframe. “Is there some kind of trouble in the neighborhood?”

“Mr. Vance, I am Officer Briggs, and this is Officer Miller,” the older man said.

He did not return Rylan’s smile.

“We have a warrant for your arrest.”

The smile on Rylan’s face did not disappear so much as it hardened into a stiff mask.

“I think there’s been a mistake,” Rylan said, his laugh sounding dry. “An arrest warrant? For what?”

“Felony forgery and identity theft,” Officer Briggs said.

He stepped across the threshold, his heavy black boots loud on the polished oak floorboards.

Solene appeared at the end of the hallway, her face pale, her hands clutching her pearl necklace. “What is the meaning of this?” she demanded.

“Ma’am, please stay back,” Officer Miller said, stepping inside behind his partner.