Chapter 10 - Burning Evidence
Nathan looked toward the doorway in total shock.
A dark trail of liquid was pouring under the library door.
Smoke began seeping through the cracks of the wood.
Vanessa hadn't come to the mansion alone.
"Did you really think I didn't have an accomplice inside?" Vanessa laughed maniacally from her cage.
"If I can't have your money, Nathan, nobody will!"
The heavy wooden library doors burst open into a roaring wall of fire.
Flames licked up the expensive wallpaper at terrifying speed.
The smoke detector screeched, making it impossible to hear.
"Dad! The fire!" Leo panicked, coughing violently.
Nathan looked around for an escape route, but the windows were shuttered in heavy steel.
The main exit was completely blocked by intense, roaring flames.
Nathan grabbed a heavy wool blanket from the sofa and wrapped it around Leo.
"Hold on to my neck and don't let go!" Nathan commanded.
Vanessa was screaming continuously inside the cage as smoke filled the room.
"Nathan! Don't leave me here to burn!" she begged, her bravado completely gone.
"Give me the emergency key!"
Nathan looked at the woman who tried to destroy his entire family.
He saw the key lying on the desk near the edge of the flames.
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He had to make a choice in a split second.
Save the key to rescue his enemy, or carry his son out through the fire.
