Chapter 15: The Claim
219 words
Miller set me up with a laptop and a secure connection. He had tapped into the security cameras at the insurance headquarters—Gary’s frantic typing had given us a backdoor.
Two days later, we watched the feed live.
Barbara walked into the glassy conference room. She was the picture of tragic elegance. She dabbed her eyes, her shoulders shaking with simulated sobs as she handed over the death certificate.
"I just want to close this painful chapter," she told the senior Actuary. The audio was tinny, but her performance was Oscar-worthy.
Gary was there, nodding solemnly. "We've expedited the Insurance Claim Process due to the... sensitive nature of the family's loss."
They were fast-tracking the payout. Usually, a policy this size took months. Gary was pushing it through in days.
"Approved," the senior manager stamped the form.
Miller cursed softly next to me. "She's got the money."
On the screen, the manager left the room to file the copies. Barbara and Gary were left alone for a moment.
Barbara stood up. She walked to the window, checking her reflection. She adjusted her hair, and then, looking directly at Gary, she smiled. It wasn't relief. It was a sneer of triumph.
"Look at her," I whispered, my voice trembling with hate. "She thinks no one is watching."
End of Chapter 15
