Chapter 5 - THE SHOT BEHIND THE MIRROR
The gunshot exploded through the boutique.
Valentina screamed.
Elena pulled her daughter to the floor and covered her with her body.
The bullet struck the wall beside Vincent’s head.
Marble dust filled the air.
Vincent dropped the ledger.
Noah rushed him from the side.
They crashed into the antique mirror.
The heavy frame tore away from the wall.
Mrs. De Los Santos aimed again.
Alexander grabbed her wrist.
The second shot shattered a chandelier.
Crystal rained across the floor.
Customers crawled behind display counters.
The security guard finally moved.
He seized Mrs. De Los Santos from behind.
She drove her heel into his knee.
He fell with a cry.
Elena saw the pistol slide across the marble.
It stopped near Valentina.
“Do not touch it,” Elena said.
Valentina pulled her hands to her chest.
Mrs. De Los Santos lunged toward the weapon.
Elena kicked it beneath a display cabinet.
Alexander pinned Mrs. De Los Santos against the wall.
Noah grabbed the blue ledger.
Vincent lay on the floor beside the broken mirror.
Blood ran from a cut above his eyebrow.
The steel entrance doors suddenly unlocked.
A siren began screaming.
Red emergency lights flashed across the showroom.
Mrs. De Los Santos smiled.
“You think that means help is coming?”
Footsteps thundered outside.
The doors opened.
Six uniformed police officers rushed in.
At their front stood a tall man with silver hair.
Captain Raymond Cross.
The same officer named in Daniel’s recording.
Elena felt her stomach drop.
Captain Cross surveyed the broken glass, the injured guard, and the frightened customers.
Then he looked at Mrs. De Los Santos.
She gave him the smallest nod.
Cross drew his weapon.
“Everyone stay where you are.”
Noah held up the ledger.
“This book contains evidence of a jewelry-smuggling operation.”
Cross walked toward him.
“Give it to me.”
Alexander stepped between them.
“No.”
Cross stared at him.
“This is now an active police investigation.”
“You are interfering.”
Alexander pointed toward Mrs. De Los Santos.
“She attempted to shoot a man.”
Cross glanced at her.
“I see no weapon.”
“It is beneath that display case,” Elena said.
One officer crouched and retrieved the pistol.
Cross took it with a cloth.
Mrs. De Los Santos spoke calmly.
“That weapon is not mine.”
“She brought it.”
She pointed at Elena.
Valentina stared at her in disbelief.
“That’s a lie!”
Cross turned toward Elena.
“Ma’am, place your hands behind your back.”
Elena’s face went pale.
“You cannot be serious.”
“She was holding the gun.”
Cross approached her.
“A witness says otherwise.”
Valentina stepped in front of her mother.
“My mom didn’t do anything!”
Cross looked down at the child.
“You have already been caught with stolen jewelry today.”
Noah’s expression hardened.
“We have footage showing she was framed.”
Cross held out his hand.
“Then give me the footage.”
Noah took a step back.
“No.”
Cross smiled without warmth.
“That was your first mistake.”
He turned to the officers.
“Arrest the mother.”
May you like
“Take the girl into protective custody.”
“And bring me that ledger.”
