Chapter 5 - Vanessa’s Deal
Vanessa refused to speak to the police.
She asked for Arthur.
Against every lawyer’s advice, he went to see her.
I went too.
Arthur did not want me there.
Bella did.
That ended the argument.
Vanessa sat behind thick glass in the detention center, still wearing the silk robe from the mansion.
Without the diamonds and makeup, she looked smaller.
But not weaker.
When she saw Arthur, she smiled.
“You finally found the locker.”
“You knew it was there.”
“Of course.”
“You burned Bella to make her reveal the key.”
Vanessa’s smile faded.
“She saw Evelyn hide it. She was the only witness.”
Arthur’s hand tightened around the phone receiver.
“You could have killed her.”
“I never touched her skin.”
I stared at her.
“You threatened to burn her ear.”
Vanessa looked at me with open hatred.
“And you must be Sarah.”
Arthur leaned closer to the glass.
“Where is my father?”
Vanessa laughed softly.
“You still think this is about your father?”
“Evelyn said he ordered her death.”
“Evelyn was wrong.”
She glanced toward the security camera above us.
Then she lowered her voice.
“Richard Sterling didn’t kill your wife.”
“Who did?”
“You did.”
Arthur went still.
Vanessa continued.
“Evelyn discovered illegal weapons sales. She tried to warn you. You dismissed her concerns because the contracts were making billions.”
“That’s a lie.”
“You signed the transfers.”
“I signed corporate approvals. I didn’t know what they were.”
“Exactly.”
Her smile returned.
“You never looked closely enough.”
That accusation hit him harder than the bullet.
Vanessa offered a deal.
She would reveal where Marcus had taken the drives.
In return, Arthur had to drop the assault charges involving Bella.
“No,” I said immediately.
Arthur looked at me.
Vanessa’s eyes gleamed.
“She isn’t your wife, Arthur. She doesn’t get a vote.”
Bella stepped toward the glass.
Vanessa looked at her.
For the first time, fear crossed her face.
Bella lifted one trembling hand.
Then she pointed at Vanessa.
“She pushed Mommy.”
The room went silent.
Arthur slowly turned toward his daughter.
“What did you say?”
Bella’s eyes filled with tears.
May you like
“She pushed Mommy’s car.”
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