Chapter 11 - The Wrong Woman in the Wrong House
Elise had disappeared from Ryan’s house before dawn.
Her car was still outside.
Her purse was on the kitchen counter.
Detective Ortiz treated it as an abduction immediately.
Ryan sat in an interview room with both hands around a paper cup.
I watched through the glass.
He looked older than he had three days ago.
Good.
Pain was finally reaching him.
Ortiz came out.
“He says Caleb called from Elise’s phone. Wants the ledger by six.”
“He won’t get it.”
“That’s my answer too.”
Ryan came through the door.
“Madeline.”
I stepped back when he moved toward me.
He stopped.
“Please.”
“You don’t get to ask me for trust.”
“I’m asking you to help her.”
“I am helping her. I called professionals.”
His face tightened.
“I should have told you about the key years ago.”
“Yes.”
“I should have told you about my test.”
“Yes.”
“I should have stopped my mother.”
“Yes.”
Every answer hit harder than yelling.
Then he said, “I knew Dad threatened your father.”
The room went still.
“What?”
Ryan looked at Ortiz.
“At the funeral, my father was drunk. He said Thomas should have stayed out of Vance business.”
I could barely breathe.
“And you never told me?”
“I was twenty-nine. I was terrified.”
“You were my husband.”
He looked down.
“I know.”
Ortiz’s phone buzzed.
She read the message.
“Elise’s phone just pinged.”
“Where?”
“An unfinished Vance property south of the city.”
Ryan stood.
“I know it.”
Ortiz blocked him.
“You’re not going.”
Then her second phone rang.
She listened.
Her expression changed.
“We have another problem.”
“What?”
“Victoria Vance just reported Madeline missing.”
I stared at her.
“I’m standing right here.”
Ortiz nodded.
“She also filed a sworn statement claiming you’re mentally unstable and may harm yourself.”
Nina swore.
May you like
Victoria was not trying to find me.
She was building a story before someone found a body.
