Chapter 1 - THE RED LIGHT
The first thing Marcus Vale saw was his baby daughter's stroller half underwater.
The second thing he saw was Elena Ruiz dragging three-month-old Sofia from the pool.
The third thing he saw was Victoria crying.
"She pushed her!" Victoria screamed.
"No," Elena gasped. "She did."
Marcus did not hear the last word.
He crossed the stone terrace, ripped Sofia from Elena's arms, saw his daughter coughing but breathing, and looked at the open water behind them.
Rage hit before reason.
He struck Elena.
She fell hard against the wet tile.
"Oh my God, Marcus."
Not angry.
Not pleading.
Just stunned.
Marcus crouched beside Sofia.
"Call 911."
Victoria fumbled for her phone.
Elena pushed herself onto one elbow.
"Mr. Vale—"
"Don't."
"You have to listen."
"You were alone with my daughter."
"No. Victoria was here."
"She hates me. She's been jealous since the day I moved in."
Elena's lip was bleeding.
She raised one trembling hand.
And pointed.
"What are you pointing at?" Marcus snapped.
Her finger aimed past Victoria.
Toward the dark hedge beside the pool.
At first he saw leaves.
Then metal.
A small black security camera sat hidden inside the branches.
Its red recording light blinked.
Still on.
Still aimed directly at the pool.
She went pale.
"That camera isn't part of the house system," she said quickly.
"Who installed it?"
"I don't know."
Sirens sounded beyond the gates.
Sofia coughed again.
"Sir, what happened?"
Marcus pointed at the hedge.
"Get that footage."
"No."
She corrected herself too fast.
"I mean, Sofia needs a hospital."
"She'll get one."
Marcus's voice went cold.
"And I'm going to watch what happened before I accuse anyone else."
Too late.
He had already accused her.
Already hit her.
Already chosen a story because it arrived first.
Aaron pulled the memory unit.
Ten minutes later, in the ambulance bay, Marcus watched the footage on a tablet.
Alone.
Then toward the hedge.
She did not see the camera.
She placed both hands on the stroller.
And pushed.
The stroller rolled straight into the pool.
On screen, Elena came running from the kitchen.
She jumped into the water without hesitation.
Victoria did not move.
Elena dove.
Found the stroller.
Pulled Sofia free.
May you like
Victoria whispered, "Marcus..."
And smiled.
