Chapter 2: Six Words
The officers arrived within four minutes.
Two of them.
Both calm.
Both taking in the room with the kind of quiet attention that missed nothing.
One looked at the shattered ceramic still scattered across the tablecloth.
At the bl00d on the white linen.
At the napkin pressed against my temple.
He didn't need me to explain.
"Ma'am, can you step away from the table?"
I did.
Maya stayed close behind me.
Adrian straightened his jacket.
"Officer, this was a private family matter.
It got out of hand.
My wife is—"
"Sir." The officer's voice was flat.
"Please don't speak right now."
Charles started to rise.
"We are a respectable family.
There is no need to—"
"Sir.
Sit down."
The room went silent in a way it hadn't all evening.
Then the second officer turned toward the door that led to the basement stairs.
He hadn't been told to look there.
But Maya had already moved to the top of the steps.
"It's unlocked," she said quietly.
"It's always unlocked."
Adrian's voice cracked.
"Maya, don't."
She didn't look at him.
"There's a filing cabinet," she said.
"Bottom drawer.
He told me it was financial records."
Her hands were shaking.
"It isn't financial records."
Adrian took one step forward.
The first officer moved between them without a word.
Charles sat back down slowly, like a man whose legs had stopped working.
May you like
Eleanor said nothing.
For the first time all evening — nothing.
