Chapter 9 - The Woman Behind Her
Maria kept the phone at her side and stared at Vanessa's reflection in the study window.
Vanessa stood six feet behind her.
No burgundy dress now. She wore black slacks, a pale sweater, and the same diamond earrings.
She looked almost ordinary.
That frightened Maria more.
"You really should have left," Vanessa said.
Maria slowly turned. "Adrian knows everything."
"Adrian knows pieces. Pieces can be rearranged."
"Not this time."
Vanessa smiled without warmth. "You think catching one baby makes you brave?"
Maria moved closer to the desk, positioning herself near the panic button Grant had shown her.
"I think threatening a child makes you weak."
Vanessa's expression cracked.
"You have no idea what I sacrificed to get into this family."
"And Oliver was in your way?"
"Oliver was leverage. Claire understood that too late."
Maria's hand froze inches from the desk.
"You killed Claire?"
Vanessa's eyes flicked toward the safe.
"Claire caused her own problems by digging into things that were bigger than her marriage."
Maria pressed the panic button.
Nothing happened.
Vanessa laughed softly.
"Marcus disabled it months ago."
Then headlights swept across the window.
Vanessa moved toward Maria.
Maria grabbed a heavy book from the desk and held it out defensively.
The front door slammed open downstairs.
"Maria!" Adrian shouted.
Vanessa stopped.
For the first time, fear reached her eyes.
Adrian entered the study seconds later with Grant and two officers.
Vanessa lifted both hands.
"I came back for my belongings. She threatened me."
Maria stared at her. "You just admitted Claire knew about you and Marcus."
"Prove it."
Maria looked at her phone.
The call with Adrian was still connected.
Adrian raised his own phone.
"You already did."
Vanessa's face went blank.
One officer stepped forward.
Then the entire mansion lost power.
Darkness swallowed the room.
May you like
A gunshot cracked somewhere downstairs.
And the safe door clicked open by itself.
