Chapter 2

The chat goes dead silent — then erupts. Everyone's rattled by the killer's threat.

Within minutes, the internet is plastered with posts trying to find my family.

"Don't let Nora fool you!"

Lucas is on his feet. Voice calm. Controlled. Already building his case against me before anyone else can think.

"Nora's jealous. She's trying to wreck my wedding to Audrey."

"I made Audrey a promise — swore it on that bridge. The day the Ashford-Bridgeport Bridge opens, that's the day I marry her."

"Nora timed this whole stunt to blow it all up."

He's glaring at the screen like he wants to reach through it and shake me.

I can practically hear what's running through his head: Nora, you lived Audrey's life for thirty years. What more do you want?

"Lucas!"

The courtroom doors slam open. Audrey staggers in, drenched head to toe from the storm. Lucas has his jacket off and around her shoulders before she takes two steps.

"What are you doing here in this weather? I told you I'd come to you after work."

His voice is tight. Barely hiding the panic underneath. Like the thought of her suffering even a little bit is more than he can take.

Then he turns to the camera. Hard. Cold.

"Nora — you can see what you've done to Audrey. Are you satisfied now?"

Audrey shakes her head, pale-faced, clutching his sleeve.

"She has every right to resent me, Lucas. Please — don't blame her."

She pulls out a folder, perfectly dry inside a rain cover, and holds it up to the camera.

"Nora — if you're upset about the bridge project, I'll have the committee put your name back as lead architect at tomorrow's ceremony."

"Just please stop making things harder for Lucas. He's only doing his job to keep people safe."

Not a trace of anger in her voice. Not even close. Her eyes are actually glistening — on the edge of tears.

Soaking wet. Trembling. The perfect picture of grace under fire.

The chat flips instantly.

"Nora is disgusting. Dragging the real daughter through this for her own ego."

"Must be nice living abroad. Rich enough to bribe a serial killer for attention."

But the bridge project?

Audrey took it from me.

The day she walked off with my blueprints, she didn't even flinch.

"Nora — you lived my life for over thirty years. Think of this as interest. Seems fair, don't you think?"

Just like that, the lead architect's name on the internal system was changed to Audrey Sinclair.

"Nora! Haven't you done enough?" Lucas snaps the safety off his gun. Presses the barrel against the killer's temple. His whole body is shaking with rage.

"You like performing? Fine. Let's keep the show going. Tell me — where is Nora's body?"

"Captain — stand down!"

Officers scramble toward him, trying to wrestle the weapon away.

The killer doesn't even blink. He watches Lucas spiral — and laughs.

"I've seen every face in that family photo of hers. Bring me all of them. Every single one. Or you get nothing."