Chapter 8 - THE COLE FAMILY BUSINESS
Victoria poured herself tea.
Tea.
In the middle of a locked medical suite beneath her son’s penthouse.
That bothered Emma more than shouting would have.
Victoria sat.
“Come here, dear.”
Emma remained where she was.
Victoria smiled.
“Still performing?”
“No.”
“Good.”
She gestured toward a chair.
“Then stop wasting time.”
Emma sat across from her.
Julian stared in disbelief.
“Mother, she attacked me.”
Victoria didn’t even look at him.
“You tried to inject a trained martial artist.”
Julian froze.
Emma noticed.
Victoria already knew.
“How long have you known who I am?”
Emma asked.
“Eleven days.”
Julian turned.
“What?”
Victoria sipped her tea.
“Your investigator is sloppy.”
“You knew?”
“I suspected.”
“And you let me marry her?”
Victoria finally looked at her son.
“I wanted to know who she was working with.”
Julian’s face reddened.
“You used my wedding as bait?”
Victoria smiled faintly.
“You used your wedding as a stage for your ego.”
Emma watched them.
The family wasn’t united.
That was useful.
She leaned forward.
“What happened to Sarah?”
Victoria’s attention returned to her.
“Your sister was unstable.”
“Say it again.”
“I said—”
“No.”
Emma’s voice stayed calm.
“Say the lie again.”
Julian moved toward her.
Victoria raised one hand.
He stopped.
That told Emma everything about who truly held power.
Victoria sighed.
“Sarah found documents she was never supposed to see.”
“What documents?”
“Corporate matters.”
“What kind?”
“Payments.”
“To Bellweather?”
A flicker.
Small.
But real.
Emma saw it.
So did Detective Ortiz through the audio feed.
Victoria’s eyes narrowed.
“Interesting question.”
Emma shrugged.
“My sister wrote things down.”
“No, she didn’t.”
The words came too quickly.
Emma’s pulse jumped.
“You found her journal.”
Victoria realized the mistake.
Julian looked confused.
“Journal?”
Emma stared at Victoria.
“You took it.”
Victoria set down her cup.
“She was threatening my son.”
“With the truth?”
“With scandal.”
“Same thing in your family?”
Rachel almost smiled.
Victoria ignored her.
Emma pushed harder.
“What was in the journal?”
“Nothing that matters now.”
“Then why did Sarah end up at your hospital?”
“My foundation supports Bellweather.”
“You had her committed.”
“She was evaluated by licensed professionals.”
“Professionals you paid.”
Victoria’s jaw tightened.
Emma heard Bell whisper through the tiny receiver hidden in her hair.
Keep going.
Emma leaned closer.
“And when Sarah refused to stop talking?”
Julian interrupted.
“Enough.”
Victoria turned sharply.
“Be quiet.”
Julian stared at his mother.
Emma saw the fracture widening.
She pressed.
“When Sarah refused to stop talking, you increased her medication.”
Victoria’s face hardened.
“Your sister had many opportunities to make better choices.”
Rachel gasped.
Emma felt grief turn to ice.
“That’s your answer?”
“My answer is that Sarah destroyed herself.”
Emma stood.
“No.”
Victoria looked up.
“You did.”
Dr. Warren moved toward Emma.
Emma shifted her weight.
He stopped.
Victoria laughed softly.
“You really did prepare.”
“For years.”
“And you think the police are coming?”
Emma said nothing.
Victoria watched her eyes.
Then smiled.
“Oh, sweetheart.”
She reached into her handbag.
Pulled out a phone.
Placed it on the table.
On-screen was a live video.
Detective Ortiz’s surveillance van.
Emma’s stomach dropped.
May you like
Victoria whispered, “We’ve been watching them too.”
Then the van’s lights suddenly went dark.
