Chapter 4 - The Checkmate
Vanessa dropped the bottle.
It shattered against the hardwood floor.
She spun around, the color draining from her face so fast she looked like a ghost.
Colin stumbled backward, dropping his leather briefcase.
"What are you doing here?" Vanessa gasped, her voice trembling. "You're supposed to be on a plane."
I didn't look at her.
I walked straight to my daughter and picked her up.
Nora buried her face in my neck, her small arms wrapping around me like a vise.
"I believed you, sweetheart," I whispered into her hair. "I'm so sorry. I believed you."
Caleb stepped into the kitchen behind me.
He pulled out a clear evidence bag and carefully scooped up the broken bottle and the remaining liquid.
"Honey, you startled us," Vanessa stammered, forcing a terrified smile. "Colin just came by to drop off documents."
"Save it," I said.
May you like
The heavy front door swung open.
Three uniformed police officers walked in, followed by a detective.
