Chapter 9 - THE NIGHT SHE DIED
On the video, Daniel poured something into Elena’s water bottle.
Clear liquid.
No hesitation.
He screwed the cap back on.
Then he looked at the camera.
“Eleven forty-eight.”
Elena covered her mouth.
Rachel whispered, “He filmed himself?”
Nora shook her head.
“Insurance for Raymond.”
The video jumped forward.
12:26 a.m.
Daniel entered the garage carrying Elena.
Her head hung against his shoulder.
Elena watched herself unconscious in her husband’s arms.
Something inside her broke.
Not loudly.
Quietly.
Like glass cracking under pressure.
Daniel placed her in the driver’s seat.
Started the car.
Closed the garage door.
Then he stood there.
Watching.
For almost a full minute.
Rachel began crying.
Elena didn’t.
Daniel checked Elena’s pulse.
Then left.
At 1:12 a.m., he returned wearing gloves.
He opened the car door.
Checked her again.
This time he smiled.
Rachel turned away.
“Turn it off.”
“No,” Elena said.
Nora looked at her.
“Elena.”
“Keep playing.”
Daniel pulled Elena out of the car and placed her on the concrete floor.
Then he called 911.
His voice on the recording was perfect.
Panicked.
Broken.
“My wife—please—she’s not breathing!”
Elena stared at the screen.
“That’s how he sounded?”
Nora nodded.
“He fooled everybody.”
The video ended.
Nobody spoke.
Then footsteps sounded upstairs.
Nora drew her weapon.
One officer raised a finger.
Everyone froze.
Another step.
Then another.
Someone was inside the house.
Nora motioned Elena and Rachel behind the desk.
The bedroom floor creaked.
A shadow moved across the hallway.
“Police!” Nora shouted. “Show me your hands!”
A man ran.
Officers chased him down the stairs.
Elena heard a crash.
Then shouting.
She came out of the office.
A figure burst through the kitchen.
Elena recognized him immediately.
Daniel.
Their eyes met.
He stopped.
“Elena.”
Nora raised her gun.
“Hands where I can see them.”
Daniel lifted his hands slowly.
His face was bruised.
His shirt was covered in blood.
Rachel screamed, “You tried to murder her!”
Daniel looked at Elena.
“I can explain.”
Elena laughed.
“You poured drugs into my water.”
“Raymond made me.”
“You put me in the garage.”
“He would’ve killed all of us.”
“So you chose me?”
Daniel’s eyes filled with tears.
“I thought you were dead already.”
Elena stepped toward him.
“You checked my pulse twice.”
Daniel’s mouth trembled.
“I was scared.”
“No. You were careful.”
Nora moved in with handcuffs.
Daniel suddenly said, “Wait.”
He looked directly at Elena.
“If you arrest me, Rachel dies.”
Rachel froze.
“What?”
Daniel nodded toward the window.
“Raymond took out insurance too.”
Elena stared at him.
“What are you talking about?”
May you like
Daniel’s voice dropped.
“You weren’t the only one whose signature I forged.”
