Chapter 14 - The Bait
The plan was simple.
That made Emily distrust it immediately.
Police officers hid throughout the estate.
Cameras covered the halls.
Daniel and Margaret were moved to a secure guesthouse.
Emily refused to leave.
Vanessa had started the story by choosing her.
Emily intended to be there when it ended.
A fake ledger was placed inside Laura’s old bedroom.
Emily waited downstairs.
Midnight passed.
Nothing happened.
One o’clock.
Still nothing.
At 1:37, the security system flickered.
Detective Reed’s voice came through Emily’s earpiece.
“Possible breach at the west gate.”
Emily’s heartbeat accelerated.
Then the mansion went dark.
She almost smiled despite the fear.
Vanessa liked darkness.
A sound came from upstairs.
Emily moved toward the staircase.
Reed whispered.
“Stay where you are.”
Then the earpiece went dead.
Someone had jammed the signal.
Emily backed toward the study.
A woman’s voice came from behind her.
“You never learned when to leave.”
Vanessa stood in the doorway.
She wore black.
A pistol rested in her hand.
Emily stopped moving.
“You came back.”
Vanessa smiled.
“You sound surprised.”
“I thought cowards usually kept running.”
Vanessa’s smile disappeared.
“Where is the ledger?”
“Safe.”
“Where?”
Emily looked toward Laura’s old room.
Vanessa noticed.
“Upstairs.”
Emily said nothing.
Vanessa raised the weapon.
“Walk.”
They climbed the staircase.
Emily could hear her own breathing.
At the third-floor hallway, Vanessa pushed her toward Laura’s bedroom.
Emily opened the desk.
She removed the fake ledger.
Vanessa grabbed it.
For several seconds, relief crossed her face.
Then she opened it.
Blank pages.
Vanessa slowly looked up.
“You lied.”
Emily stepped backward.
“No.”
“I delayed you.”
A red light suddenly appeared on the ceiling.
The hidden emergency system activated.
Vanessa raised the gun.
Then Daniel emerged from the far hallway.
“Put it down.”
Vanessa turned toward him.
Her eyes filled with fury.
“You chose her over me.”
Daniel stared at the weapon.
“I chose the truth.”
May you like
Vanessa laughed.
Then she pointed the gun directly at Emily.
