Chapter 9 - The Second Phone
Adrian had always carried two phones.
One personal.
One “work.”
The police seized the personal phone.
The work phone was hidden in Vivian’s purse.
I knew because I heard it vibrate.
Vivian’s hand tightened around the bag.
Ortiz did not notice.
After police left, Claire looked at Vivian.
“Give it to them.”
“What?”
“The second phone.”
Adrian stepped between them.
“There is no second phone.”
Claire laughed.
“It just buzzed.”
Vivian’s face went hard.
Claire moved toward the door.
“I’m telling Ortiz.”
Adrian blocked her.
“Think carefully.”
“No.”
He lowered his voice.
“You signed the deed.”
“Yes.”
“You moved the money.”
“Yes.”
“You lied to auditors.”
“Yes.”
Each yes weakened his leverage.
Claire had chosen exposure over control.
Adrian did not know how to handle that.
Then Vivian pulled the phone from her purse.
“Enough.”
She handed it to Adrian.
“Destroy it.”
He stared at her.
“Here?”
“Now.”
My finger pressed the transmitter.
EMERGENCY EVIDENCE DESTRUCTION.
This time, the response was immediate.
The door opened.
Hospital security entered with Detective Bell behind them.
Nobody had expected Bell to remain on the floor.
He looked at the phone in Adrian’s hand.
“Set it down.”
Bell bagged it.
Vivian went pale.
Claire started laughing.
Adrian looked at me.
His eyes narrowed.
He walked closer.
“You.”
Bell stepped between us.
“Back up.”
Adrian ignored him.
“Hannah.”
For the first time, there was no performance.
Only suspicion.
He stared at my hand beneath the blanket.
Then at the monitor.
Then at my face.
His voice became a whisper.
“You’re awake.”
The room stopped.
I had a choice.
Keep pretending.
Or end the first phase.
I opened my eyes.
Adrian stumbled backward.
Vivian made a sound I will never forget.
Claire covered her mouth.
I looked directly at my husband.
May you like
“Hi, Adrian.”
And every lie he had told inside that room suddenly had a witness.
