Chapter 4 - The Burning Coffee
David’s blood turned to ice as he stared at the familiar red and gold rug.
Victoria had custom-ordered that rug from Turkey two years ago.
There was no logical reason for it to be sitting in Marcus's living room.
David slowly stood up, telling Lily to put her shoes back on.
Marcus walked back into the room carrying a silver tray with two steaming mugs of coffee.
He smiled warmly, but his eyes darted nervously toward the front door.
David noticed a faint white powder residue on the rim of the mug closest to him.
Marcus insisted that David drink the coffee to calm his nerves before they called the police.
David took the mug, pretending to bring it to his lips.
Instead of drinking, he hurled the boiling hot coffee directly into Marcus’s face.
Marcus screamed in agony, dropping the silver tray and clawing at his burning eyes.
David grabbed Lily’s hand and sprinted toward the front door.
He fumbled with the deadbolt, his hands slick with sweat.
Behind him, Marcus recovered blindly and grabbed a heavy bronze lamp from the side table.
Marcus swung the lamp wildly, smashing it into the wall just inches from David’s head.
David kicked Marcus hard in the chest, sending him crashing backward over the expensive rug.
The door finally clicked open and David dragged Lily out into the freezing night.
They ran toward Marcus's driveway, where an older model SUV was parked with the keys still in the ignition.
David threw Lily into the passenger seat and jumped behind the wheel.
He slammed the car into reverse just as Marcus stumbled out of the front door holding a handgun.
David hit the gas, tearing out of the driveway before Marcus could aim.
They sped down the empty suburban streets, leaving the treacherous friend far behind.
David pulled over a few miles away, his heart pounding like a hammer.
He popped open the glovebox, looking for a flashlight or a registration paper.
Instead, a thick stack of folded legal documents spilled out onto the floorboard.
It was a life insurance policy taken out on Lily for ten million dollars.
But the sole beneficiary listed on the document wasn't Victoria.
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It was Sarah, David’s first wife and Lily’s biological mother.
The woman who had supposedly died in a car crash five years ago.
