Chapter 18 - The Last Door She Opened
The officers found Victoria at a short-term apartment rented under the false name. She opened the door herself, wearing jeans and a plain sweater instead of designer clothes.
"I want a lawyer," she said before they spoke.
"You have that right," Torres replied. "Victoria Callaway, you're under arrest."
There was no dramatic chase. No speech that made the crimes disappear. Victoria looked at the warrant, pressed her lips together, and held out her hands.
The search of the apartment, authorized by a judge, recovered travel documents, an investor term sheet, and a draft statement blaming Rose for the fall. The statement was dated before the hotel had even fired her.
Nathaniel read the list of evidence later in Amelia's office. He stared at the date for a long time.
"She planned to make Rose take the blame before she knew whether Mother would live."
"That appears to be what the document shows," Amelia said.
The criminal cases moved slowly. Miles faced charges related to fraud and intimidation. Connor cooperated with investigators about the recorder. Victoria pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and related offenses. Her attorney challenged the restored video, the sound recording, and the accounts of the witnesses.
After the arrest, Rose still woke with her hands clenched around an imaginary jacket.
A counselor helped her understand that surviving a terrifying moment didn't mean it was finished inside her body.
When the prosecutor asked whether she'd testify, Rose felt that old fear rise again.
"They'll call me a liar in front of everybody."
"They may challenge your memory," the prosecutor said. "You can answer what you know. You don't have to pretend to know anything else."
Rose thought of Eli, the children at Harbor House, and Eleanor looking over the railing.
"I'll be there," she said.
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Nearly a year later, the courtroom doors opened.
Victoria was waiting at the defense table, looking directly at her.
