CHAPTER 2 — THE POLICE AT THE DOOR
CHAPTER 2 — THE POLICE AT THE DOOR
The doorbell echoed through the mansion.
No one moved.
A second ring followed.
Then a firm knock.
"Police Department!"
The color drained from Diego's face.
Victoria hurried toward Valerie with trembling hands.
"Please," she whispered. "Let's settle this privately."
Valerie stepped back.
"There was nothing private about what happened."
An officer entered first, followed by two paramedics.
The lead officer looked around the dining room.
Broken porcelain covered the floor.
Blood stained the white tablecloth.
Nearly twenty silent relatives sat frozen in their chairs.
"Who made the emergency call?"
"I did," Valerie answered.
The paramedics carefully examined the deep cut along the side of her head.
One of them quietly photographed the injury.
The officer turned toward Diego.
"Sir, did you throw the plate?"
Diego glanced at his parents before answering.
"It was an accident."
Natalie immediately spoke up.
"No."
Every head turned toward her.
"He picked up the plate and threw it."
The room remained silent.
Then another voice joined hers.
An elderly aunt.
"I saw it too."
May you like
One by one, the silence began to break.
People who had spent years looking away finally told the truth.
