Chapter 11: Victoria’s Bargain
Victoria refused to speak for three days.
Then she demanded a meeting with Emily.
Detective Ortiz opposed it.
Emily agreed.
They met through reinforced glass at the detention center. Emily attended remotely from her hospital room, her face displayed on a secured monitor.
Victoria appeared without jewelry, makeup, or her carefully styled hair.
Yet she still carried herself like a woman entering a ballroom.
“You look better,” she said.
Emily did not respond.
Victoria leaned closer to the glass.
“Charles is alive.”
“I know.”
For the first time, Victoria’s expression faltered.
“You found the drive.”
“We found everything.”
“No,” Victoria said. “You found what Charles wanted recorded.”
Emily studied her.
“What is missing?”
“The list of people he killed.”
Daniel, standing out of camera range, began taking notes.
Victoria continued.
“Charles never trusted bribery alone. He believed fear created loyalty.”
“Did he kill Jacob Mitchell?”
Victoria’s eyes shifted.
“I ordered Gerald to frighten the boy.”
“That was not my question.”
“The car chase went too far.”
Sarah had been right.
Emily forced herself to remain calm.
“And Gerald?”
“He wanted to confess. Charles arranged his accident.”
“Martin Vale?”
“Still alive, unless Charles has decided otherwise.”
“Where?”
Victoria smiled faintly.
“Now we reach the reason for this conversation.”
“You want a deal.”
“I want protection.”
“You tried to murder me.”
“I tried to prevent Charles from returning.”
“With my life insurance money?”
“With money he could not trace.”
Emily stared at her.
Victoria truly believed strategy could erase morality.
“You weakened the balcony.”
“Martin did.”
“At your order.”
“Yes.”
The confession was almost casual.
Emily felt the room tilt, though she had not moved.
“Why the hospital?”
“Because you survived.”
Victoria’s lack of remorse was more chilling than anger.
“Give me Charles,” Emily said, “and I’ll tell prosecutors you cooperated.”
“I want more than that.”
“You are not negotiating from a position of strength.”
Victoria leaned toward the glass.
“Charles has someone inside your hospital.”
Emily’s gaze sharpened.
“The medication vial.”
“That was only a warning.”
“Who is it?”
“I will tell you after my transfer to federal protection.”
Before Emily could answer, alarms sounded in the hospital corridor.
Daniel turned toward the door.
May you like
The lights flickered once.
Then the monitor went black.
