The woman from the bank spoke with the measured tone people often used when they were trying not to alarm someone.

“Mrs. Carter, I need to confirm something before we proceed. Are you currently in Nevada?”

Rachel tightened her hold on the phone.

“No. I’m in California.”

There was a brief pause.

“Did you give your husband, Brandon Carter, permission to submit a home-equity loan application using your income records?”

Rachel looked across the long rows of corn.

Lucas and Chloe were several yards away, happily debating whose basket weighed more. Her father’s old red tractor rested beside the barn. Beyond it, the mountains faded into the pale summer haze.

Everything appeared completely normal.

That was what made the woman’s question seem so unreal.

“No.”

“Did you electronically approve documents yesterday at approximately 4:38 p.m.?”

“No.”

“Did you authorize anyone to access your payroll statements?”

Rachel’s stomach tightened.

“