“She is trying to manipulate you.”

“Am I?” Vanessa laughed, leaning forward despite the officer’s grip on her shoulders.

“Ask Dr. Hart about their blood types, Benjamin.”

“Ask yourself why Claire kept those medical files locked in the private safe.”

The room fell completely silent, save for the hum of the heating vents.

Benjamin looked at me, his eyes filled with a sudden, agonizing doubt.

My phone in my hand suddenly lit up again with a new notification.

I glanced down at the screen.

It was an urgent email from Dr. Amelia Hart.

The subject line read: *Emergency medical files – Caldwell children.*

“Get her out of here, Detective,” I said, my voice trembling slightly as I slipped the phone back into my pocket.

Detective Pierce nodded to the two officers holding Vanessa’s arms.

“Wait,” Benjamin said, his voice raw.

He took a step toward his wife, his knuckles white as he gripped the edge of the mahogany desk.

“What did you do to Claire?” Benjamin asked, his eyes locked on Vanessa.

Vanessa let out a low, mocking laugh that echoed in the cold, high-ceilinged room.