Chapter 6 - The Funeral Trap
Daniel sent the watch data and recordings to Rachel.
She instructed him to delay the cremation.
Police were on their way, but the chapel’s remote location and Helena’s influence created uncertainty.
Daniel could not risk waiting.
At nine-thirty, guests began arriving.
Most believed Clara had died naturally.
They hugged Daniel.
They praised Helena for organizing such a beautiful service.
Marcus moved through the room like a protective brother.
Dr. Hale stood near the wall, ready to reinforce the official story.
Daniel watched them perform grief while Clara lay trapped inside her own body.
He wanted to tear the chapel apart.
Instead, he remained quiet.
The fastest way to lose control of Clara’s body was to appear irrational.
Helena had prepared for that.
She approached Daniel before the service.
“You look unwell.”
“My wife died yesterday.”
“Perhaps you should sit away from the coffin.”
“No.”
“Daniel, your behavior is making people uncomfortable.”
“What behavior?”
She lowered her voice.
“You have always been possessive.”
Daniel almost laughed.
“You forged Clara’s directive.”
Helena’s face did not move.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“I have the original.”
For the first time, real fear entered her eyes.
Marcus appeared beside them.
“What’s happening?”
Daniel stepped back.
“Nothing yet.”
He wanted them uncertain.
During the service, Daniel remained beside Clara.
He watched her chest.
Nothing moved.
He touched her hand when no one was looking.
Still cool.
Still motionless.
Doubt attacked him.
What if the movement on the watch had been an error?
What if the finger movement never came?
What if grief had made him see what he wanted?
Then Dr. Hale approached the coffin.
He leaned close to Clara.
Not with compassion.
With calculation.
He touched the side of her neck for less than a second.
Then he looked toward Helena and nodded.
Daniel saw the exchange.
Whatever they had injected was wearing off.
They knew it.
The service ended early.
The attendants moved the coffin onto the rolling platform.
The chamber doors opened.
Marcus positioned himself beside the lid.
Helena stood near the control lever.
Daniel checked his phone.
No signal.
No message from Rachel.
The attendants began pushing.
One foot.
Two feet.
Three.
Then the lace over Clara’s abdomen moved.
Daniel lunged.
The platform brake crashed beneath his hands.
“Stop the furnace!”
Everything that followed happened exactly as the conspirators feared.
Marcus tried to close the coffin.
Clara’s finger moved.
Helena’s staged grief collapsed.
And Dr. Hale reached for the chapel door.
Daniel pointed at him.
“What did you inject?”
May you like
This time, the doctor’s answer would be recorded by dozens of witnesses.
👉 Dr. Hale had only seconds to choose between protecting Helena and saving himself from a murder charge.
