Chapter 8

Barron walked into the living room. His long legs closed the distance to the sofa in three strides. He stood over Delma, blocking the sunlight.

The guard captain stepped forward. He grabbed the rag in Jazmyne's mouth and yanked it out.

Jazmyne gasped for air. She glared up at Barron. "My father is the CEO of Adkins Enterprises! We have lawyers! We will destroy you!"

Barron reached into his breast pocket. He pulled out a white silk handkerchief. He wiped his hands slowly, as if the air around her disgusted him.

He let out a short, hollow laugh. "Adkins Enterprises. Cute. I am Barron Dale. CEO of the Dale Media Empire."

Jazmyne's jaw dropped. Her eyes bulged out of their sockets. The color vanished from her skin, leaving her looking like a corpse.

She knew that name. Everyone in the country knew that name. The Dale family controlled sixty percent of the media, news, and entertainment in the United States.

Delma shook her head frantically. She looked at the wheelchair. "No. No, that's impossible. She's a nobody. She's just a stray with amnesia!"

Evalyn spoke. Her voice was raspy, but it cut through the room like a blade of ice.

"I woke up years ago," Evalyn said. "I felt every needle. I heard every insult. I listened while you starved my daughter. I was trapped in my own skin, waiting for the day I could tear yours off."

Delma's whole body began to violently tremble. She threw herself off the sofa. She landed on her knees. She slammed her forehead against the hardwood floor.

"Please! It wasn't me!" Delma screamed. She pointed a shaking finger at Jazmyne. "It was her! She made me do it! She hated the kid!"

Jazmyne snarled. She threw her weight sideways. Her shoulder rammed into Delma's ribs. The two women collapsed onto the floor. They kicked and bit at each other like rabid animals, their zip-tied hands useless.

Johnie stood by the door. He rolled his eyes. He raised his right hand and snapped his fingers.

Two guards walked into the room. They held thick leather leashes. At the ends of the leashes were two massive, retired military Belgian Malinois.

The dogs planted their feet. They bared their teeth. A deep, guttural growl vibrated from their chests. They stared directly at the two women on the floor.

Delma and Jazmyne froze. They screamed. Delma curled into a tight ball. A dark, wet stain spread across the front of her expensive pants.

Amari lay on the stretcher just outside the door. She watched the women cry. Her face was completely blank. She felt nothing for them.

Barron pulled his phone out. He hit a speed-dial number. It connected straight to his lead broker on Wall Street.

"Dump it all," Barron ordered. "Short-sell every share of Adkins Enterprises. I want their stock at zero before the market closes."

Jazmyne sobbed hysterically. "No! Please! My family has nothing to do with this!"

Barron ended the call. He tossed the phone onto the cracked glass coffee table.

He looked at the guard captain. "Hand them over to the FBI agents waiting at the perimeter. Make sure the warden at the federal penitentiary knows they require special attention."

The guards grabbed the women by their hair and collars. They dragged them backward out the door. Their shoes scraped against the floorboards.

The living room fell dead silent. Only the heavy breathing of the dogs remained.

Evalyn turned her head. She looked at Amari. The ice in her eyes melted into warmth.

She nodded at Finley. "Take her to the back. Let's get her cat."

Finley nodded. He grabbed the rails of the bed and pushed it toward the sliding glass doors that led to the backyard.