Chapter 6 - The Inside Job
The screen illuminated my face with a harsh, glaring light as I stared in absolute disbelief.
Detective Reynolds.
The woman who was supposed to be investigating the crime was the one orchestrating it.
In the raw footage, Reynolds walked into my living room with terrifying calmness.
She stood over Addie, who was sleeping peacefully on the couch.
Reynolds pulled a small, clear plastic bag from her pocket and methodically placed it over my daughter's face.
Addie thrashed, her tiny hands clawing desperately at the detective's arms, but Reynolds held firm, her expression completely impassive.
When Addie finally went still, Reynolds removed the bag, casually adjusted the blanket, and walked out the front door.
Luke entered the frame three minutes later, looking mildly annoyed before I arrived with my suitcase.
They were working together.
Luke provided the opportunity, and Reynolds executed the plan, using her police access to manipulate the evidence and frame me.
But why? What could they possibly gain from this elaborate, horrifying conspiracy?
My hands shook violently as I transferred the unedited video file to a secure flash drive.
I needed to get this evidence to someone I could trust, someone entirely outside the local police department.
The FBI.
I disconnected my laptop and stuffed the flash drive into my pocket, preparing to leave the basement.
Just as my foot touched the bottom stair, the heavy wooden door at the top of the landing swung open.
A bright beam of light pinned me against the concrete wall.
"I thought you might come back here," a voice drawled from the top of the stairs.
It was the first paramedic. The one who had warned me about Luke.
He walked slowly down the steps, a suppressed pistol gripped firmly in his right hand.
"You?" I gasped, my mind reeling from yet another betrayal.
"I tried to warn you to stay away from him," the paramedic sighed, looking genuinely disappointed. "But you just couldn't leave well enough alone."
"You're part of this? Why?" I demanded, backing away toward the server rack.
"Luke owes a lot of money to some very unpleasant people," the paramedic explained, casually checking the safety on his weapon. "The life insurance policy on your daughter would have cleared his debts nicely."
"And Reynolds?"
"She gets a cut for making sure the investigation points squarely at you."
He raised the pistol, aiming directly at my chest.
"Hand over the flash drive, Mrs. Davis."
I gripped the small piece of plastic in my pocket, my mind racing for a way out.
If I gave him the drive, he would kill me anyway. If I refused, he would kill me and take it.
I glanced desperately around the dimly lit basement, my eyes landing on the heavy electrical breaker panel on the wall beside me.
"I don't have it," I lied, raising my empty hands.
He chuckled humorlessly. "Don't insult my intelligence."
He took a step forward, his finger tightening on the trigger.
May you like
With a sudden, explosive burst of movement, I lunged sideways, slamming my fist into the main breaker switch.
The basement plunged into absolute, pitch-black darkness.
