Chapter 4 - The Blackout.
Emergency lights flickered on along the baseboards.
The mansion changed from elegant to sinister in an instant.
Red strips of light cut across the marble floor.
Nathan looked toward the upper corridor.
"What was that?"
Helen pointed toward the stairs.
"Someone's upstairs."
One paramedic remained beside Elena while the other reached for a flashlight.
Dr. Pierce stood quickly.
Vanessa did not move.
That frightened Elena more than if she had run.
Everyone else looked confused.
Vanessa looked prepared.
Nathan started toward the stairs.
"Stay here."
Margaret caught his sleeve.
"Don't be stupid."
He pulled free.
"My wife was just pushed down those stairs."
"I'm done waiting for other people to tell me what's happening in my house."
Vanessa stepped into his path.
"Nathan, don't."
He looked at her hand against his chest.
Then at her face.
"Move."
She slowly lowered it.
Elena's phone vibrated beneath the blanket the paramedic had placed over her.
Detective Ruiz.
She could not answer openly.
So she pressed the side button twice, the signal they had agreed upon for immediate danger.
The response came seconds later.
Three short vibrations.
Police were already inside the property.
Nathan climbed the staircase.
Dr. Pierce followed despite Margaret's protest.
The remaining paramedic tried to wheel Elena toward the door.
Vanessa suddenly moved beside the stretcher.
"I'll help."
Elena's eyes opened fully.
"Don't."
The single word startled Vanessa.
For the first time, everyone knew Elena was conscious.
Margaret rushed forward.
"Elena."
Elena gripped the blanket.
"I'm okay enough to talk."
Vanessa's mouth parted.
"You were awake?"
Elena looked at her.
"For most of it."
The color drained from Vanessa's face.
Above them, Nathan shouted.
"Stop!"
Footsteps pounded across the second floor.
A figure appeared briefly at the balcony.
A man in dark clothing.
He vaulted over a decorative bench and ran toward the service stairs.
Helen screamed.
The paramedic pushed Elena's stretcher back instinctively.
Vanessa turned toward the rear hallway.
That one glance was enough.
Elena saw recognition again.
Not surprise.
Recognition.
"Caleb," Elena said.
Vanessa looked at her too quickly.
Margaret heard the name.
"Who is Caleb?"
Vanessa shook her head.
"I don't know."
Elena almost smiled.
"I didn't say you did."
Vanessa realized the mistake immediately.
But there was no time to recover.
A crash sounded from the service corridor.
Then a man's voice shouted.
"Police! Don't move!"
Detective Ruiz appeared from the rear entrance with his weapon lowered but ready.
Two officers rushed past him.
Vanessa backed toward the staircase.
Ruiz looked first at Elena.
She gave one small nod.
Then he looked at Vanessa.
"Ms. Cole."
His voice was calm.
"We need to talk."
Vanessa lifted her chin.
"About her attacking me?"
Ruiz's eyes did not change.
"About the man running from her bedroom."
Nathan reappeared above them.
He held a torn envelope in one hand.
His face looked as though he had seen a ghost.
"Elena."
She looked up.
Nathan raised the envelope.
"Why is my father's letter empty?"
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THE REVERSED PLAN
