Chapter 5 - Point BlankThe metallic coldness of the room suddenly felt suffocating. I immediately stepped in front of Mara, placing my body completely between her and Vanessa’s gun.
“Put the gun down, Vanessa,” I said, keeping my voice as steady as possible, holding my hands out in a non-threatening gesture. “You’re making a terrible mistake. The police already have all the digital files. Killing us won't change anything.”
“Shut up, Ethan!” Vanessa shrieked, her finger trembling on the trigger. “You don't know anything! You were always the clueless little golden boy drawing pretty pictures while the rest of us did the dirty work! Grant promised me I’d be protected! He promised me five million dollars in a Swiss account if I kept my mouth shut!”
Behind my back, I felt Mara’s hand lightly touch my belt, tapping a rhythmic code against my spine. Three short taps, two long taps. It was a signal we used during our early days of marriage when she wanted me to stay completely still.
“Grant lied to you, Vanessa,” Mara’s voice rang out from behind me, cool, level, and entirely devoid of fear. “I checked the Swiss account an hour ago. Grant emptied it yesterday morning through his attorney. He left you with zero dollars and a thirty-year prison sentence.”
Vanessa’s eyes widened in denial. “No... no! He wouldn't! He loves me!”
“Look at your phone,” Mara urged gently. “Check the transfer confirmation I sent to your personal email at 7:30 p.m. Grant betrayed you just like he betrayed Ethan.”
Vanessa’s hand shook violently. For a split second, her eyes flickered down toward her jacket pocket where her phone rested.
That split second was all we needed.
From behind the metal storage racks near the door, Detective Lena Ortiz stepped out with her service weapon drawn. “POLICE! DROP THE WEAPON, VANESSA!”
Vanessa panicked and swung the revolver toward Ortiz.
Before she could pull the trigger, I lunged forward, grabbing Vanessa’s wrist and forcing the gun toward the concrete ceiling. BANG! A deafening gunshot shattered the quiet basement, sending concrete dust spraying down on us. I twisted her arm, forcing the weapon from her fingers until it clattered loudly across the floor.
Ortiz slammed Vanessa against the brick wall, pulling her arms behind her back and clicking heavy handcuffs onto her wrists.
“You’re under arrest for attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and felony obstruction,” Ortiz growled, hauling Vanessa to her feet.
I turned around instantly, grabbing Mara by her shoulders. “Are you okay?! Did you get hit?!”
Mara smiled softly, brushing concrete dust off my jacket. “I’m fine, Ethan. I knew Detective Ortiz was following Vanessa the moment she posted bail.”
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I pulled Mara close, burying my face in her hair. “You’re going to give me a heart attack one of these days.”
“I told you,” she whispered, her uninjured hand wrapping around my waist. “I used to do this for a living.”
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