Chapter 10 - The Mastermind
The police cruiser sped through the dark streets of Manhattan, carrying Cameron toward the precinct.
She sat in the back seat, staring blankly at the metal cage separating her from the officers.
Her life was completely ruined, and her mother was going to die without the medical funds.
Suddenly, the cruiser swerved violently into a dark, abandoned alleyway and slammed on the brakes.
The lead officer turned off the engine and the police radio.
He stepped out of the car, opened the back door, and quickly unlocked Cameron's handcuffs.
“Get out, Ms. Jenkins,” the officer ordered quietly.
Cameron stepped out into the freezing alley, completely bewildered by the sudden change in protocol.
A sleek black SUV pulled up beside them, its tinted windows rolling down smoothly.
Sitting in the back seat, dressed in a pristine white coat, was Elena Duca.
“Get in, Cameron,” Elena said warmly.
“We don't have much time before Matteo realizes I am gone.”
Cameron climbed into the SUV, her mind spinning wildly as the driver sped away into the night.
“You paid off the police?” Cameron asked, staring at the woman who had framed her.
“I own the police,” Elena corrected smoothly.
“I needed a believable distraction to escape that penthouse with my daughter.”
Cameron breathed a massive sigh of relief, realizing she wasn't going to prison after all.
Elena had staged the entire arrest to get them both out safely without Matteo interfering.
“Your mother’s medical debts have been completely erased,” Elena smiled, handing Cameron a secure phone.
“You saved my life, and you saved Leah.”
Cameron leaned her head against the cold window and finally let herself breathe.
They had outsmarted Matteo, defeated his security, and won their freedom.
Then Elena reached into her designer coat and pulled out a suppressed pistol.
She pressed the cold barrel directly against Cameron's temple while the driver locked the doors.
“Thank you for getting us out, Cameron,” Elena whispered as she smiled at the little girl sleeping beside her.
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“But Matteo wasn't the one keeping me locked in that room to hide my illness.”
“He locked me in there to protect the world from what I do to young, healthy women.”
