Chapter 10
The next morning, I opened the door.
No sign of Eric.
Good.
I was heading out anyway–to meet a lawyer and kick off the divorce proceedings.
I was halfway down the stairs when I bumped into a man.
I recognized him right away.
Daniel.
CEO of the rival firm that had been gunning for Eric’s company for years.
He walked straight toward me, no hesitation.
“Ms. Emily,” he greeted, “I’m sorry about your daughters.”
“I heard what happened.”
“Thank you,” I said politely, keeping my guard up.
“Is there something you need?”
He pulled a voice recorder from his coat pocket and handed it to me.
“My guy picked this up yesterday.”
“Thought it might help you.”
Without waiting for questions, he turned and walked away.
I found a quiet bench outside the building and pressed play.
“Vanessa, I gave you two extra weeks.”
“If you don’t pay up today, don’t blame me for letting the boys have some fun.”
It was a man’s voice. Not familiar.
Still, I froze.
Vanessa owed someone money?
A lot, from the sound of it.
22-12
Chapter 10
“Jack, please–give me ten more days.”
“I promise I’ll get you the money!”
Vanessa’s voice. Clear as day.
“You said that last time! You think I’m new at this?”
Then came the sound of a struggle–ripping clothes.
Vanessa started screaming.
My stomach twisted.
Serves her right, I thought coldly.
“Hold her down. Don’t let her move.”
Jack again.
“I’ll give you an extra $7,000, just give me ten more days!”
Vanessa shouted.
Jack paused.
“How exactly are you getting that kind of cash?”
“Jack, I know a CEO–Eric Johnson.”
“He’s completely hooked on me.”
“Once he divorces his wife and marries me, two hundred grand is nothing.”
Two hundred grand?
So that was her game.
All that time, Eric gave her everything–even his family–and she was just after his bank account.
I kept listening.
Jack scoffed.
“Even if he agrees, what about his mother?”
“Don’t worry. I played a few tricks.”
“Emily’s already filed for divorce.”
“Eric’s just being stubborn, but give me three days. He’ll crack.”
22:12
Chapter 10
I stiffened.
Played a few tricks?
What tricks?
My divorce had nothing to do with her.
It was because of Sophia and Natalic…
But then Jack asked, “You sure about that?”
“What makes you so confident?”
Vanessa laughed.
“I’ll be honest, Jack.”
“To get them to split, I hired someone to run over their twin daughters.”
My heart stopped.
I bolted upright.
What the hell did she just say?
She had my daughters killed?
She set the whole thing up–lured Eric away that day so the driver could hit them without witnesses?
My entire body trembled with rage.
My vision blurred red.
“You heartless monster…” I muttered through clenched teeth.
“They were only seven.”
“You had them killed.”
“I swear, I’ll make you pay for what you did. With your life.”
22-12
