Chapter 2: Six Words From a Woman Who Had Waited Too Long
The officers arrived before anyone could move.
Two of them came through the front door.
A third went around the side of the house.
The moment the first officer stepped into the dining room and saw the bl00d on my face, his hand went to his radio.
"Ma'am.
Are you the one who called?"
"Yes," I said.
Adrian stepped forward.
"Officer, this has been completely blown out of proportion—"
"Sir.
Stay where you are."
Charles tried next.
"We are a family.
This was a private disagreement.
My daughter-in-law—"
"Sir.
I will not ask again."
Eleanor had gone silent.
She stood near the window, her hands pressed flat against her sides, watching the third officer disappear around the corner of the house toward the basement entrance.
That was when Adrian's composure finally broke.
"Maya." His voice dropped to something I had never heard from him before.
Not anger.
Something colder.
"What did you tell her?"
Maya didn't answer.
She had moved to the far side of the room.
Her arms were wrapped around herself.
Her eyes were fixed on the floor.
"Maya." He took one step toward her.
The nearest officer moved between them.
"Do not approach her."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
He looked at his father.
Charles looked away.
Then we all heard it.
The third officer's voice, coming up from below the house through the open side door.
"I need backup down here.
May you like
Now."
The room went absolutely still.
