Chapter 3 – The House Full of Witnesses
Three police vehicles arrived less than four minutes later.
Their sirens never sounded.
They didn't need to.
The operation had been planned for weeks.
Detective Gabriel Ruiz entered first.
Behind him came two detectives, a forensic photographer, and officers carrying evidence bags.
Vanessa laughed nervously.
"This is insane."
"You can't arrest someone because of edited recordings."
Ruiz calmly nodded.
"You're absolutely right."
He reached into his folder.
"Fortunately..."
"...the recordings aren't our strongest evidence."
He held up a search warrant.
"Search every room."
Vanessa suddenly took a step backward.
"No."
One detective headed upstairs.
Another entered Vanessa's bedroom.
Within minutes they returned carrying a locked jewelry box.
Ruiz opened it.
Inside were three disposable phones.
A bottle of prescription sedatives.
And an envelope containing fifty thousand dollars in cash.
The money had fingerprints.
The phones contained deleted messages.
Messages arranging fake accidents.
Messages threatening contractors.
Messages paying someone to tamper with Olivia's car.
Vanessa's breathing became uneven.
"I can explain."
Ruiz looked at her quietly.
"So could everyone else."
The front door suddenly opened again.
Ethan Hayes walked inside.
Olivia's husband.
He had returned early from an overseas business trip after Ruiz secretly contacted him.
He looked from the evidence...
To Olivia...
To Vanessa.
His younger sister.
"No..."
His voice barely existed.
Vanessa burst into tears.
"I did it for us."
"You were never supposed to love her."
"You were supposed to protect me."
Ethan closed his eyes.
"When Mom died..."
"I promised Dad I'd always protect you."
He looked at the handcuffs waiting beside Ruiz.
"But protecting you..."
"...doesn't mean protecting your crimes."
Ruiz nodded.
"Vanessa Monroe..."
"You are under arrest for attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, evidence tampering, and child endangerment."
May you like
This time...
No one comforted her.
