Chapter 23: The Arrest
269 words
The Captain moved to cuff Barbara, but she wasn't going quietly. She swung her purse, striking the officer in the shoulder.
"Get your hands off me!" she shrieked. "Do you know who I am? I am Barbara Vance! I am a pillar of this community!"
"You're a murderer and a thief!" the CEO shouted, throwing the oversized check onto the floor.
The officer didn't hesitate. He spun Barbara around and slammed her against the mahogany table. The click-click of the handcuffs was the sweetest sound I had ever heard.
"You're making a mistake!" she howled, her perfect blonde bob now a disheveled mess. "I'll sue you all! I'll own this police department!"
As they dragged her toward the door, she locked eyes with me. There was no remorse, only pure, unadulterated hatred.
"You were always worthless trash!" she screamed, spittle flying from her lips. "Mark was weak, just like you! I did what I had to do to save this family!"
I didn't flinch. I didn't cry. I just smoothed the lapel of my suit.
"You didn't save the family, Barbara," I said softly, though the room was so quiet everyone heard me. "You destroyed it. And now, I'm taking what's left."
Gary was already weeping as another officer cuffed him. He looked at me, pleading. "Linda, please, tell them I was coerced!"
I just turned my back on him. I watched the police escort my tormentors out of the building, flashing lights reflecting off the boardroom windows. I was broke, exhausted, and technically still dead on paper. But for the first time in years, I was free.
End of Chapter 23
