Chapter 17 - THE BELL TOWER
Police surrounded Saint Gabriel’s quietly.
Roberto was ordered to remain outside.
He ignored the instruction.
Marcus followed him through the side entrance.
The church was dark except for candlelight near the altar.
At 11:58, footsteps echoed from the rear corridor.
Sebastian appeared.
He looked terrified.
“Vanessa?”
No answer.
He moved deeper into the church.
Then Vanessa stepped from behind a pillar.
She wore black.
No jewelry.
No expensive coat.
Nothing recognizable from the glamorous woman Roberto had married.
“You came.”
Sebastian’s voice shook.
“You set me up.”
Vanessa smiled.
“You set yourself up years ago.”
“The transfer points to me.”
“Then you should run.”
“You promised half.”
“I promised many things.”
Sebastian moved toward her.
“You killed Elena.”
Vanessa’s expression changed.
Police listening through microphones went silent.
She laughed softly.
“You finally figured that out?”
Roberto stopped breathing.
Sebastian stared at her.
“You told me it was intimidation.”
“It was.”
“Until Elena wrote the letter.”
“She was going to expose you.”
Vanessa corrected him.
“She was going to expose us.”
“I never touched the car.”
“No.”
“You only changed the report.”
Sebastian looked sick.
“You killed Richard too.”
Vanessa tilted her head.
“Richard was weak.”
“He wanted to confess.”
“You’re insane.”
“No.”
“I’m practical.”
Sebastian backed away.
Vanessa stepped closer.
“Do you know what your problem has always been?”
“You need people to forgive you.”
“I don’t.”
Sebastian suddenly saw movement in the shadows.
Police.
He panicked.
“You recorded this.”
Vanessa’s face snapped toward the nave.
“Roberto.”
She said his name without seeing him.
He stepped into the light.
For the first time since this nightmare began, Vanessa looked genuinely shocked.
“You always did have dramatic timing.”
Roberto stared at her.
“Five minutes early ruined your life.”
Vanessa smiled.
“No.”
“Five minutes early ruined your illusion.”
“You should thank me.”
“For what?”
“For showing you the truth.”
Roberto’s voice hardened.
“You abused my daughter.”
“You drugged her.”
“You tried to steal her inheritance.”
“You murdered Elena.”
Vanessa’s eyes became cold.
“Elena had a choice.”
“She could have stayed quiet.”
Sebastian shouted, “You cut the brake line!”
Vanessa turned toward him.
“And you buried the report.”
That sentence sealed both of them.
Police stepped forward.
Vanessa suddenly moved.
Not toward the exit.
Toward the side staircase leading to the bell tower.
Officers followed.
Roberto heard shouting above.
Then silence.
A door slammed.
Marcus looked at him.
“She’s trapped.”
They reached the upper landing.
The bell tower door stood open.
Wind rushed through.
Vanessa was standing near the railing.
Police surrounded her from a distance.
She looked down at Roberto.
“I almost had everything.”
Roberto answered, “You never had Sofía.”
Her face twisted.
That was the wound.
Not money.
Not arrest.
Sofía had never loved her.
Roberto had never chosen her over his daughter.
Vanessa slowly raised her hands.
Officers approached.
Then she whispered something only Roberto heard.
“You think this ends with me?”
He stared at her.
Vanessa smiled.
“Ask who paid for Elena’s funeral.”
Police placed her in handcuffs.
And for the first time, Roberto wondered whether Vanessa had been the beginning of the conspiracy.
May you like
Or simply the most dangerous part of it.
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