Chapter 8 - The Intruder
Clara finally fell asleep on the couch, still clutching her phone.
She woke up to the sound of the front door opening.
She jumped to her feet, her heart racing.
"Ethan?" she called out.
But it wasn't Ethan.
Standing in the doorway, silhouetted against the moonlight, was the woman she had hoped never to see again.
Veronica.
"Hello, Clara," she said, her voice dripping with venom.
"How did you find us?"
"You really think you can hide from me? I have resources you can't even imagine."
"Where's Ethan?"
"He's safe. For now."
"What did you do to him?"
"I didn't do anything. Not yet. But I will if you don't cooperate."
"Cooperate?"
"Yes. You're going to do exactly what I say."
"Veronica, let Ethan go."
"Let him go? He's worth a lot of money to me."
"What are you talking about?"
"Ethan knows the location of the evidence. He knows where the vault is. I need you to get that information for me."
"Veronica, I don't know where the vault is."
"Then you're useless to me."
She raised a gun.
"Please... I have a baby," Clara pleaded.
"I don't care."
"Veronica, don't do this."
"Why shouldn't I?"
"Because I know where the vault is."
"Liar."
"I'm not lying. I know where it is. Ethan told me."
"Then tell me."
"Let Ethan go first."
"Tell me and I'll let him go."
"Promise."
"I promise."
Clara took a deep breath.
"The vault is in the Cayman Islands," she lied. "The Grand Cayman branch of Sterling International Bank."
"Which vault?"
"Number 7428."
"What's the combination?"
"Ethan's birthday."
"Which is?"
"July 28th."
Veronica smiled.
"I was going to kill you, you know," she said. "But now I think I'll let you live. Just to watch you suffer."
May you like
She pulled out her phone and made a call.
"Get the helicopter ready," she said. "I have what I need."
