Chapter 1 - The Setup
Marcus kept his eyes locked on the frozen security footage.
I pulled Lily tighter against my chest.
My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird.
"She took your phone," Marcus repeated softly.
He did not sound angry at my daughter.
He sounded like a man who had just solved a terrifying puzzle.
"Why would your fiancée want my cheap cell phone?" I asked.
Marcus finally turned away from the glowing monitors.
"Two million dollars was wired out of my mother's charity foundation yesterday."
I gasped.
"The bank traced the unauthorized transaction to an IP address inside this house."
Marcus stepped closer to me.
"The digital signature matched a mobile device connected to the staff network."
He looked down at Lily's tiny purple shoes.
"Vanessa knew the security cameras in the staff wing undergo maintenance on Tuesdays."
"She needed a device that belonged to a lower-class employee."
"She needed a perfect scapegoat."
My stomach twisted into a cold, sickening knot.
"You think she is going to blame me for stealing two million dollars?"
Marcus slowly nodded his head.
"She already has."
The heavy oak door of the security room suddenly vibrated.
A loud, aggressive pounding echoed from the main entrance downstairs.
Marta's voice filtered through the intercom system on the desk.
"Mr. Cole, the police are here."
"They have a warrant for the arrest of your maid."
"They are coming upstairs right now."
Marcus looked directly into my terrified eyes.
May you like
"Do exactly what I say, or you will lose your daughter forever."
Before I could answer, the security room door was violently kicked open.
