Chapter 6 - The Ice in My Veins
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In my industry, when a rogue contractor attempts to sabotage an operation, you do not engage in a fistfight in the parking lot. You document the breach, cut off their access, alert the authorities, and destroy their credibility so thoroughly that they can never operate in the business again.
I leaned back against the headrest of my car seat. The rage inside me didn't evaporate; it condensed into a hard, diamond-sharp diamond of pure, clinical focus.
I reached for my phone and selected the recording of the last ten minutes from the stealth camera. I clipped the video, ensuring the audio of Eleanor’s cruel voice was crystal clear, and saved it to an encrypted cloud drive.
Then, I opened my contacts list and scrolled down to a name I hadn't called in months: Audrey Vance. My older sister.
Audrey had moved to Colorado four years ago and had drastically reduced her contact with our mother. At the time, Eleanor had painted Audrey as an "unforgiving, rebellious daughter" who had abandoned the family for no reason. I had foolishly believed my mother's version of the story.
I hit dial.
Audrey answered on the third ring, her voice cautious and distant. "Julian? Is everything okay? How is Clara and the baby?"
"Audrey," I said, my voice completely flat, devoid of any tone. "I am sending a video file to your phone right now. I need you to open it, watch it, and tell me if you recognize the woman in the frame."
May you like
"What are you talking about?" she asked, confused.
"Just watch it," I said. "I’m holding on the line."
