Chapter 2 – The Door They Never Expected
The first police cruiser screeched to a halt outside just as Grant tightened his grip on my arm.
His smile disappeared.
"What the—"
A deafening knock exploded through the front door.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"Police! Open the door!"
Grant instantly released me.
Elaine nearly dropped her wineglass.
Dennis muted the television for the first time that evening.
No one moved.
Another knock.
This time the front door burst open.
Detective Mara Ruiz entered first, followed by four uniformed officers.
Their body cameras were already recording.
Grant forced an uneasy laugh.
"There must be some misunderstanding."
Mara didn't even look at him.
Her eyes found me immediately.
My burned hand.
My swollen cheek.
The clumps of hair still tangled in Grant's fingers.
Then she glanced beneath the kitchen island.
The tiny blue light on the hidden camera blinked one final time.
She nodded.
"We received the livestream."
Grant's face turned white.
Elaine stepped forward with practiced confidence.
"This woman is unstable. She burned herself and started screaming—"
Mara calmly raised a hand.
"You can save your statement for your attorney."
An officer walked toward the stove.
Another photographed the skillet, the grease on the floor, and the dish towel stained with burned skin.
Grant finally realized this wasn't another argument he could manipulate.
He lunged toward the kitchen island.
"Give me that camera!"
Two officers slammed him against the counter before he reached it.
Metal handcuffs clicked shut.
May you like
For the first time in eighteen months...
Grant looked afraid.
