Chapter 1 - The Secret Accounts
The silence that followed Richard’s question felt heavy enough to shatter the bathroom mirror.
I held my breath as I pressed the phone tighter against my chest.
Eric finally cleared his throat.
"That money was an early investment into the prototype phase," Eric said dismissively.
"You told us you only took fifty thousand," Eleanor snapped, her voice dripping with sudden venom.
"The development costs skyrocketed, Mother," Eric argued, his voice rising in defense.
"If Clara notices half a million dollars missing, she will audit the entire marriage before she ever gets on a plane," Richard hissed.
"She won't notice because I diverted the statements to a phantom server," Eric replied smugly.
"I have been transferring the funds in small increments every time she takes her heavy sleep medication."
A wave of pure nausea washed over me.
I had been suffering from severe insomnia for two years.
Eric was the one who lovingly brought me my prescription pills and a glass of water every single night.
He had been drugging me into a coma just to use my thumbprint to unlock my secure banking apps.
"Well, it doesn't matter now," the unfamiliar man with the briefcase interrupted.
"To finalize this new $1.25 million loan, I need the original property deed."
"It is locked in her floor safe under the master bed," Eric said.
"I have the combination, so let's go get it right now."
My blood ran completely cold.
The master bedroom was directly outside the bathroom door.
If they walked upstairs, they would see my suitcase missing from the bedroom floor.
They would realize I never left for the airport.
I heard the heavy thud of footsteps starting up the wooden staircase.
I had less than ten seconds to disappear.
I silently slid the glass shower door open and stepped onto the wet tiles.
I unlatched the small frosted window above the bathtub that led out to the sloping roof of the garage.
The footsteps reached the top of the landing just outside the door.
"Eric, did you leave the bathroom light on?" Eleanor asked sharply.
May you like
The brass doorknob began to turn.
I squeezed my body through the narrow window frame and rolled onto the hard shingles just as the bathroom door swung open.
