Chapter 3 - THE WIDOW'S GOLDEN CAGEWith Derek hauled away in handcuffs, the cathedral finally grew quiet.
I leaned my head back against the pew, closing my eyes for a long, slow moment as the dialysis machine hummed its steady, rhythmic pulse beside me. Clear tubing filtered my blood, a constant reminder of how close I had come to dying before I could see justice done.
My phone buzzed in my hand.
A notification from the cloud server: Encryption key transferred to District Attorney's office. File secured.
Natalie, my sweet sister, had trusted Derek with her entire heart. He had married her for her share of our family’s real estate holdings, planning to inherit everything once her name was off the deeds. He thought getting rid of her would take two minutes with a wrench.
He had no idea that Natalie and I shared a cloud drive that backed up every dashcam and home security file automatically in real time.
Father Brennan walked up the aisle, stopping beside my pew with a look of profound sorrow and shock in his eyes.
May you like
"Claire... I had no idea," the priest murmured, gently placing a hand on my shoulder. "Are you going to be alright?"
"I’ll be fine, Father," I said, opening my eyes and offering him a faint, weary smile. "Just make sure the church records show that my sister’s killer didn't get to walk out of here a free man."
