Chapter 15 - The Live Feed
At exactly 9:00 PM, Daniel sat alone in the dark confines of his parked car, two blocks away from his massive estate. The glowing screen of his encrypted tablet illuminated his tense, furiously focused face. The live video feed from the hidden cameras inside his mother’s bedroom was absolutely crystal clear.
He watched Elena carefully adjust the pillows behind his mother’s frail head, her gentle hands offering whatever small comfort she could. A few minutes later, the heavy oak door swung open, and Clara confidently walked into the room. She was wearing an elegant silk robe, carrying a steaming porcelain teacup on a small silver tray.
"You may go to your room for the night, Elena,"
Clara commanded, her voice perfectly captured by the hidden microphone.
"I will handle her evening tea and medication."
Elena hesitated for a fraction of a second, her eyes darting nervously toward the bookshelf where she knew the camera was hidden.
"Yes, Madam Clara,"
Elena replied, keeping her head bowed as she quickly exited the room.
Daniel held his breath, his fingers gripping the edges of the tablet so tightly his knuckles ached. On the screen, Clara set the silver tray down on the bedside table. She looked entirely bored, completely detached from the suffering woman lying in the bed. Clara walked over to the mahogany dresser, used the brass key from her pocket to unlock the drawer, and pulled out the broken metal box.
Daniel watched her pause, noticing the broken lock. But she merely shrugged it off, assuming it had finally snapped from old age. She pulled out the glass vial, walked back to the tea, and methodically squeezed exactly five drops of the clear neurotoxin into the steaming liquid. She stirred it gently with a small silver spoon.
"Time to drink, Helen,"
May you like
Clara said coldly, lifting the poisoned cup toward his mother's lips.
Daniel hit the record button. He finally had his monster trapped on film.
