Chapter 7 - A Web Unraveling
The air in the high observation deck felt instantly thin and cold. The howling ocean wind outside battered against the thick glass panes, drowning out all sound except for the frantic beat of my own heart.
"It's over, Richard," Detective Miller said calmly, keeping his own pistol trained steadily on Richard’s chest. "We have Mrs. Grisham’s video. We have the forensic evidence from the garden. And now we have the complete financial ledgers. There is nowhere left for you to run."
"Shut up!" Richard screamed, his composure completely shattering. "She ruined everything! I built an empire, and she was going to tear it down over a stupid custody dispute! She was supposed to stay quiet!"
"She was protecting her daughter from a criminal!" I shouted, stepping out from behind Miller despite the gun pointed in our direction. Anger, pure and unfiltered, surged through my veins, replacing every ounce of fear. "You killed my sister! You buried her like garbage in my back yard to try and ruin my life too!"
Richard glares at me, his eyes wide and bloodshot. "You were always in the way, Shayla! I should have gotten rid of you first!"
"Drop the weapon, Richard!" Miller commanded, taking a deliberate step forward. "You are surrounded. Federal agents and state police are already at the base of the lighthouse."
As if on cue, red and blue strobe lights began flashing down on the coastal road below, accompanied by the muffled wail of approaching sirens.
Richard flicked his gaze toward the window for a split second—a fatal mistake.
Miller lunged forward, swiping Richard’s gun arm upward just as a deafening shot echoed through the enclosed space, shattering one of the glass window panes. Salt air and wind rushed into the room.
The two men crashed onto the iron floor. I scrambled back, grabbing a heavy brass antique lantern from a display shelf and slamming it down onto Richard's wrist. He gasped in pain, dropping the revolver, which rolled harmlessly across the floor.
Miller quickly subdued Richard, forcing his arms behind his back and snapping heavy steel handcuffs onto his wrists.
Richard lay face down on the cold floor, breathing heavily, all the arrogance and power drained from his face, leaving behind only a broken, pathetic coward.
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"Richard Vance," Miller panted, pinning him down firmly. "You are under arrest for the murder of Malia Vance."
I leaned against the iron railing, trembling uncontrollably as backup officers burst into the lantern room to take custody of Richard. The long night was finally coming to an end.
