Chapter 1 - The Ten O'Clock Truth
The cold autumn wind whipped through the towering oak trees as I parked my car half a mile from the Mercer estate.
I pulled my dark hood up and checked the two fully charged phones in my pocket.
My training as a forensic investigator taught me to always secure an off-site backup before walking into a volatile situation.
I slipped through the heavy iron gates just as the massive estate clock chimed ten times.
The main house was completely dark except for a single glowing window on the ground floor.
I crept silently across the manicured lawn and hid behind a large stone statue near the glass.
My breath hitched in my throat when I finally looked inside the beautifully decorated study.
Richard and Victoria were sitting comfortably on the leather sofa while sipping expensive wine.
Emily was kneeling on the hardwood floor in her thin cardigan.
Standing over her was the man I had promised to marry.
Daniel looked completely unbothered as he held a heavy wooden cane in his right hand.
He calmly raised the cane and struck Emily firmly across her bruised shoulders.
Emily did not make a single sound as she absorbed the cruel blow.
Victoria casually took another sip of her wine and nodded approvingly at her son.
I pulled out my phone and immediately began recording the horrifying scene through the glass.
Suddenly, Emily slowly lifted her head and looked directly at the window where I was hiding.
She did not look surprised to see me there.
She formed a single word with her bloody lips.
Run.
Before I could even process her warning, Daniel stopped moving and turned his head sharply toward the window.
May you like
He dropped the cane and reached into his tailored suit jacket.
A heavy hand clamped violently over my mouth from behind before I could even scream.
