Chapter 4

Grant and Melanie both looked up at him in surprise.

Guilt appeared on Greyson's face. "Dad, Mom, I'm sorry. There's something I've been keeping from you.

"After the fire was put out, I discovered someone had tampered with the safe. Bank documents for accounts containing several million dollars were missing.

"I've had people quietly tracking them ever since. Last month, I finally found out that one of the accounts had been accessed in a nearby town. The identification used belonged to Maren Reynolds."

His voice remained calm. "And Vance was already in custody by last month. There was no way he could've done it."

Hatred filled his eyes. "There's no way that ungrateful brat is dead. She took the money and has been living it up somewhere this whole time."

Greyson looked apologetically at Melanie. "Mom, I didn't tell you because I knew how much it would hurt you."

The studio and livestream immediately erupted.

"She set the house on fire and stole money? What kind of monster would do that?"

"I can't believe I actually felt sorry for her."

"Maren was rotten from the start. They never should've brought her home."

With the crowd firmly back on his side, Greyson pressed his advantage. "Vance, I don't know why you're making up this entire story. But there's one huge hole in it. Haven't you noticed?"

Confidence filled his face. "You keep claiming you killed Maren. So where's her body? Can you tell us that?"

Realization dawned on the crowd.

When Vance was arrested, the police had thoroughly searched his house. They'd found six sets of remains, each of which matched one of the six known murder cases.

Vance quietly listened to Greyson's challenge. He didn't rush to explain himself. If anything, there was the faintest hint of a smile on his lips.

"Of course, I can tell you where her body is. But..." He slowly raised his eyes, looking at each member of the Reynolds family in turn. "In exchange, you must agree to forgive me first."

Then he added, "Those are the rules of the show, right? If the victim's family forgives me, I won't be put to death. And I'd rather not die."

By now, Greyson could no longer contain his anger. He hated being toyed with, and Vance's smugness only made his temper flare hotter.

"Fine! If you can actually lead us to her body, the Reynolds family will keep its word. We'll give you the statement of forgiveness you need and make sure you don't get executed!

"But if you're lying, our family will make sure you regret it!"

Melanie anxiously tugged at her son's sleeve. "Wasn't he diagnosed with bipolar disorder? He keeps changing his story. Why are you arguing with someone who's clearly unstable..."

Before she could finish, the side door of the studio burst open. Seven or eight uniformed officers filed inside, led by a grim-faced detective named Derrick Ashley.

Several audience members tried to leave, only to be stopped.

"This is an active police investigation. No one leaves."

A growing sense of dread settled over the Reynolds family.

Melanie's face went pale. "What's going on? Why are the police here?"

Greyson was nervous too, though he tried to hide it. "It probably has nothing to do with us."

But then the officers walked straight toward them.

"Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds, a second forensic examination of the basement at Vance Hester's residence uncovered DNA belonging to an unidentified seventh individual. We have strong reason to believe it may belong to your daughter, Maren Reynolds. We need all three of you to cooperate with our investigation."

All three Reynoldses turned pale.

Greyson blurted out, "That's impossible! Officer, there were only six bodies in that basement. My sister wasn't among them!"

Derrick frowned, seemingly unable to explain that himself.

A flicker of hope returned to the Reynolds family's faces.

Then Vance's quiet laugh cut through it.

"Of course you couldn't find her." His voice was almost casual. "Because I put her body..."

The moment everyone heard where he'd left the body, disbelief swept across their faces.