Chapter 10 - THE PERSON BEHIND THE CURTAIN
Nurse Priya pulled the curtain open.
No one was there.
But a small camera had been taped beneath the window ledge.
Caleb’s threat used a live feed.
He could watch me from elsewhere.
The device also transmitted sound.
He had heard every strategy discussed in the room.
Ortiz ordered all electronics removed.
We moved again, this time to a secure federal medical floor.
Claire agreed to wear a wire and meet Caleb.
The location was their secret apartment.
She entered first.
Federal agents surrounded the building.
Caleb looked exhausted, bruised, and armed.
He asked whether Claire brought my file.
She said yes.
He wanted the forged property agreement and the insurance documents.
Claire asked why.
“Because Mom will burn everything else.”
“You tried to kill Rebecca.”
“She was taking what belonged to me.”
“She is a person.”
“She is a shareholder.”
The wire transmitted every word.
Claire kept him talking.
He admitted planning my hospital death.
He admitted pushing me.
He admitted knowing about the three earlier women.
But he blamed Lenora for their deaths.
Then Claire asked about our mother.
Caleb said, “Samuel did what Mom ordered.”
Enough for conspiracy.
Agents moved.
Caleb saw a reflection in the window.
He grabbed Claire and held the gun against her neck.
“Tell them to back away.”
Claire looked toward the hidden microphone.
Then she said, “I’ve spent my whole life speaking in Anna’s voice.”
She drove her heel into Caleb’s knee.
He released her.
Agents entered.
Caleb fired once.
The bullet struck the wall.
Ortiz tackled him.
For the first time, he was arrested in front of witnesses, evidence, and his own confession.
No private attorney could rewrite the room.
But Lenora remained free.
Minutes after Caleb’s arrest, every screen in the apartment activated.
Lenora appeared live.
Richard sat tied to a chair behind her.
Samuel stood beside him.
Lenora looked into the camera.
“You arrested the son.”
May you like
She smiled.
“Now come prosecute the parents.”
