Chapter 4 - The House of Paper
The blood drained from Vanessa’s face so completely she looked like she belonged on the cold slabs beside me.
"Ethan... you're alive..." she stammered, stumbling backward as I released her bruised wrist.
"No thanks to your champagne," I said, swinging my legs over the edge of the table and standing up on solid, steady feet.
Dr. Brooks stepped out from behind the observation window, holding the crystal champagne glass Vanessa had thought Adrian destroyed.
"The chemical residue on the rim matches the liquid found in your vanity case at the bridal suite," Dr. Brooks stated with professional disgust.
"A synthetic paralytic mixed with a lethal dose of cardiac arrest compound."
Vanessa’s knees gave way, and she collapsed against the concrete floor, her expensive handbag spilling its contents across the drain.
"Adrian... where is Adrian?" she wept, looking wildly around the room for an escape that did not exist.
"Adrian is currently enjoying the hospitality of my private security detail in Lake Forest," I replied, pulling on a clean white dress shirt and dark blazer Dr. Brooks had laid out for me.
"And my mother is drinking pure spring water, not your poisoned tea."
The lead state investigator stepped forward, holding a pair of heavy steel handcuffs.
"Vanessa Cole, also known as Vanessa Pierce," the investigator read, locking her wrists behind her back with a sharp, double click.
"You are under arrest for attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and felony identity fraud."
Vanessa struggled against the cuffs, her polished demeanor shattering into raw, venomous rage.
"You think you won, Ethan?!" she shrieked, her dark hair falling loose around her flushed face.
"The marriage was legally certified yesterday afternoon! As your surviving spouse, I hold power of attorney over Whitmore Forensic Technologies!"
"The digital contracts were already executed at nine this morning!"
I smiled—a calm, effortless smile that chilled her screams into silence.
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"You forgot what my company does for a living, Vanessa," I said quietly, leaning down until our eyes met.
"We preserve digital evidence. And we revoke fraudulent access keys before the ink even dries."
