Chapter 15 - THE SECOND FIRE
The Callahan estate burned again, but this time the flames were not in a child's hair.
They climbed the ballroom curtains and spread across the old wooden stage. Sprinklers activated too late. Guests were gone, but dozens of staff members still worked in the lower rooms.
Grant ran toward the mansion as alarms echoed across the grounds.
"The firefighters are coming," I shouted.
"My people are inside."
He entered through the service doors with Caleb. I followed far enough to guide kitchen staff toward the garden exit. Vivian led two cleaners from a smoke-filled corridor and collapsed on the lawn.
Renata stood above us on the ballroom balcony.
Her cream dress was stained with ash. In one hand she held a metal case. In the other, a lighter.
"Grant!" she called. "You were supposed to choose me."
He stopped beneath the chandelier. "You threatened my child. You killed my wife."
"Margaret was going to destroy everything you built. I saved you."
"You saved yourself."
Renata opened the case. Inside were copies of the contract records and Margaret's missing final page.
"Call off the police," she said, "or the truth dies here."
Lily appeared at the ballroom entrance with Dr. Morris behind her.
I had told them to stay at the cottage.
Renata saw the child and smiled.
"Come here, Lily. Tell Daddy who caused the accident. Tell him how your mother was screaming at you."
Lily shook, but she did not hide.
"You cut the car," she said.
Renata's smile vanished.
"You made Mommy crash."
Every phone and body camera in the room recorded the words.
Renata threw the lighter into the case.
Grant lunged for the stairs.
The balcony railing broke beneath her.
Renata fell, caught the edge with one hand, and dangled above the burning stage.
The metal case dropped into the flames.
Grant reached the balcony.
Renata looked up at him.
May you like
"Save me," she begged.
Behind him, the ceiling began to collapse.
