Chapter 3 - The Devil's Bargain
The holding cell at the county jail smelled like stale sweat and absolute despair.
I paced back and forth, my mind racing with thoughts of Emily and Lily.
The anonymous nurse on the phone had told me Emily was heavily sedated in a private clinic.
She had said Ryan was paying a fortune to keep my sister completely hidden from the world.
I had to get out of this cage before Ryan could finish his sick plan.
Suddenly, the heavy metal door of the cell block clanged open.
A uniformed officer walked over and unlocked my cell.
"Somebody posted your bail, buddy."
"You are free to go for now, but do not leave the state."
I hurried to the front desk to collect my wallet and phone.
I assumed my lawyer had pulled off a miracle, but I was completely wrong.
Vanessa was standing perfectly still in the dark parking lot next to a black luxury sedan.
She was still wearing her expensive wedding dress, though it was now covered by a trench coat.
"What do you want, Vanessa?" I asked, keeping a safe distance from her.
She lit a long cigarette and took a slow, deep drag.
"I want Ryan's money, James."
"I do not care about him, and I certainly do not care about your pathetic sister."
I stared at her in total disbelief at her sheer, unhidden greed.
"Ryan promised me full access to the offshore accounts once the wedding was official."
"But your little stunt today froze all his assets while the police investigate his background."
She opened her expensive designer purse and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
"This is the address of the private psychiatric facility where Ryan is keeping Emily."
"I am giving it to you so you can go get her, ruin Ryan completely, and force a divorce settlement for me."
I snatched the paper from her hand, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Why should I trust a single thing you give me?" I demanded.
Vanessa smiled coldly and blew a stream of smoke into the night air.
May you like
"Because Ryan sent his private cleaner to that address ten minutes ago."
"If you do not hurry, your sister is going to have a tragic, fatal accident."
