Chapter 2 - The Florida Illusion
Officer Brooks took notes as I explained the family dynamics.
I told him about my father’s boutique investment firm, Vance Capital, which he co-founded with Richard Hayes fifteen years ago. I explained how my family had gone to Florida, leaving me behind to tend to their life while they enjoyed the sunshine.
"If Richard Hayes had the combination, why wouldn't your father just give him access?" Officer Brooks asked logically.
"Because my father and Richard have been at war for six months," I revealed, the pieces starting to connect in my mind. "Over dinner three weeks ago, Dad boasted that he had secured 'leverage' over Richard regarding a multi-million dollar offshore account. He said Richard would never be able to oust him from the firm."
Officer Brooks tapped his pen against his pad. "So your father leaves town on vacation, leaving the house empty, and suddenly his rival's leverage vanishes from his safe."
"Except they didn't think the house would be empty," I said, a sudden, chilling realization hitting me.
Officer Brooks looked at me sharply. "What do you mean?"
"My parents ordered me to stay here," I said, my voice cold as ice. "Dad left a spare key on the table. They told everyone I was house-sitting. If I had stayed home like a good, obedient daughter, I would have been in this house yesterday afternoon when whoever opened that safe walked in."
Silence descended on the wrecked study. Officer Brooks’s expression turned grim. "You could have been in extreme danger, Miss Vance."
"They used me," I whispered, the painful truth cutting deeper than any insult my sister had ever thrown at me. "My father wanted the house to appear occupied so no one would suspect a routine burglary, but he also left me here as a human shield while he hid out in Florida."
My phone buzzed in my pocket.
It was a notification from Instagram. I opened it mechanically.
It was another post by my sister Ashley. A short video of my father, mother, Ashley, and my brother Brandon at an upscale seafood restaurant in Miami, clinking champagne glasses.
Ashley had added a caption: “Dad’s celebrating a huge business victory today! Hard work pays off! Wish certain people had the work ethic to be here!”
My blood boiled. I tapped my father’s contact icon and hit call.
Line busy. He had set his phone to reject my calls.
I immediately called Ashley's phone. It rang four times before she picked up, the background noise of loud music and laughter spilling through the speaker.
"What do you want, Lauren?" Ashley snapped, sounding completely irritated. "We're in the middle of a celebration dinner. I told you not to bother us with your pathetic guilt trips."
"Put Dad on the phone, Ashley," I said, my voice terrifyingly calm. "Right now."
"No! He doesn't want to talk to you! You ruined Christmas, you ruined the family vibe by walking out—"
"Ashley!" I yelled so loudly that Officer Brooks visibly flinched. "The police are currently standing in Dad's study! The house was broken into, the safe was cleaned out, and if Dad doesn't talk to Officer Brooks in thirty seconds, a federal warrant will be issued for his business partner!"
The music on the other end suddenly seemed to fade away.
"What... what are you talking about?" Ashley stammered, her fake confidence faltering.
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A second later, my father’s harsh, commanding voice came over the line. "Lauren! What kind of ridiculous drama are you playing at now? If this is a lie to get us to come home—"
"I am passing the phone to Officer Brooks of the Clearwater Police, Dad," I said coldly. "Enjoy your vacation."
