Chapter 2

The fluorescent lights in the interrogation room of the NYPD 19th Precinct buzzed like a dying insect. The harsh white glare beat down on Annabelle's face.

The heavy-set detective from the Major Crimes unit slid three glossy photographs across the metal table.

Annabelle looked down. The front end of the Aston Martin was crumpled like a soda can. Dark blood smeared the cracked windshield and pooled on the asphalt.

"Where were you between eleven and midnight last night, Mrs. Ware?" The detective's voice was sharp, demanding.

Before Annabelle could open her mouth, the heavy iron door of the interrogation room groaned and swung open.

Julian walked in. He was followed closely by the Chief Legal Officer of the Ware Group.

The lawyer didn't waste a second. He opened his leather briefcase and pulled out a thick stack of papers. He slid them onto the table, right over the bloody photos.

A plea deal.

Julian stood over Annabelle. He looked down at her with a warning in his eyes. He pulled a Montblanc fountain pen from his breast pocket and held it out to her.

"Sign it," Julian said.

"If you admit fault now, the ADA has agreed to probation," the lawyer stated in a flat, robotic tone. "We have already arranged the narrative."

Annabelle stared at the thick document. A bitter, self-deprecating laugh escaped her lips.

She didn't take the pen. Instead, she reached into the pocket of her trench coat.

Julian frowned. He leaned forward slightly, his posture relaxing. He thought she was reaching for her reading glasses. He thought she was breaking.

Annabelle pulled out a crumpled piece of paper.

She slammed it down on top of the plea deal.

"I was at the Whole Foods on Columbus Avenue," Annabelle said. She looked directly into the detective's eyes, her voice steady and loud. "At exactly eleven-thirty. Here is the time-stamped receipt. Check their security cameras."

The detective grabbed the receipt. He immediately picked up the radio on his belt and barked orders to a patrol unit to secure the footage.

Julian's face went completely rigid. The muscles in his jaw ticked furiously. His eyes darkened to a pitch-black fury.

"My client is in a state of shock," the lawyer stammered, trying to snatch the receipt back. "She is confused about the timeline-"

Annabelle stood up. The metal chair scraped violently against the concrete floor. She placed both hands flat on the iron table and leaned in.

She reached into her handbag and pulled out two more documents. She had printed them three days ago, hesitating. Not anymore.

She threw one of the documents directly at Julian's chest.

The papers hit his expensive suit and scattered onto the floor. The bold black letters at the top of the page screamed: INTENT TO DIVORCE.

The interrogation room fell dead silent. The buzzing of the lights suddenly sounded deafening.

Julian looked down at the papers near his expensive shoes. His pupils contracted into tiny, furious pinpricks.

"Don't play these pathetic games with me, Annabelle," Julian hissed through clenched teeth. "You think this gives you leverage?"

"My lawyer will contact you tomorrow," Annabelle said. Her voice was a flatline. No anger. No sorrow. Just an empty void.

Julian snapped.

He didn't lay a hand on her in front of the detective. He gave a sharp nod to his lawyer. "My client is experiencing severe emotional distress and requires an immediate recess," the lawyer stated smoothly, sliding a medical exemption form onto the table. The sheer legal authority and the Ware family's influence made the detective hesitate for a split second.

That was all Julian needed. He stepped back, gesturing coldly toward the door. "We are leaving."

He waited until they were completely out of the interrogation room and standing in the isolated, unmonitored section of the cold hallway. Then, he snapped. He lunged forward and yanked Annabelle so hard her shoulder popped. He dragged her toward the exit.