MasukJasonVincent pulled up to a modest apartment building on the east side of town, far from the luxury I was used to. He killed the engine and turned to look at me."You sure about this?" he asked."Absolutely," I replied, already opening the door.We walked up three flights of stairs to apartment 2C. Vincent knocked and within seconds, the door opened.Melyn stood there in casual clothes, jeans and a fitted sweater, looking nothing like the woman I had met at the club. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail and her face was bare of the heavy makeup she had worn that night.But the resemblance was still there. In fact she looked more like Chelley. The same shape of her face, the same curve of her lips, the same eyes that reminded me so painfully of Mitchelle."Mr. Vincent," she greeted, then her gaze shifted to me. Recognition flickered across her face. "Mr. Hunt.""May we come in?" Vincent asked."Of course, sir," Melyn replied, stepping aside.The apartment was small but clean.
DanikaI stepped out of Dr. Morrison's office with my mind racing through logistics. Seventy-two hours to pull off the impossible. I needed a realistic mannequin that could pass as Dorian's corpse, at least long enough for the death to be pronounced and the body "prepared for burial."I pulled out my phone and searched for high-end mannequin companies in the city. Most specialized in retail displays, but one listing caught my attention: "LifeLike Figures - Custom Realistic Mannequins for Medical Training and Film."Perfect.I called immediately."LifeLike Figures, this is Andrew speaking," a professional voice answered."I need to speak to the manager," I stated urgently. "It's extremely time-sensitive.""That's me. How can I help you?""I need a custom mannequin," I explained, choosing my words carefully. "An exact replica of a specific person. How fast can you create it?"There was a pause."That depends on the level of detail required," Andrew replied. "For a basic figure, maybe a
DanikaDetective Charles spread the documents across my dining table, each page represented another piece of evidence against Ivy’s son and the conspiracy surrounding Dorian's supposed marriage."The boy's parents are in debt," Detective Charles confirmed, tapping a photograph of Kingsley Adams. "I guess that's why he took the illegal job.""We need DNA proof though," I stated, leaning forward. "Something concrete that will hold up in court.""Any ideas on how to get a sample?" he asked.I thought for a moment."I'll tell the butler to help us," I decided. "Maybe he can get Dariel's comb, or even a strand of hair in it would be useful. Something the kid has touched that we can test."Detective Charles nodded approvingly."That could work. The butler has access to the estate and wouldn't raise suspicion.""I want to head to the hospital now," I announced, gathering my files. "I need to speak with Dr. Morrison about helping us with the DNA.""That's wise," Detective Charles agreed. I e
ChloeI parked in the hospital lot and checked my reflection in the rearview mirror. Conservative black dress, minimal makeup, red-rimmed eyes from the drops I'd applied earlier to look like I'd been crying. Perfect grieving family member.The vial and syringe sat heavy in my purse as I walked through the automatic doors. My heart pounded but not from fear. From anticipation.Two security guards stood outside the ICU ward entrance. The larger one held up his hand as I approached."Visiting hours, ma'am," he stated. "Who are you here to see?""Dorian Roth," I replied, keeping my voice soft and sad."Name and ID please," the other guard requested.I pulled out my driver's license and handed it over."I'm Mrs. Chloe Hunt," I explained. "Dorian is my husband's uncle. I'm here to see him, to represent my husband and pay our respects."The guards exchanged glances, checking my ID against some list on a clipboard. After what felt like an eternity, the first guard nodded."You can go in," he
JasonMy phone chimed on the nightstand, the sharp sound dragged me out of sleep. I reached over and grabbed it, squinting at the bright screen. Email notifications from work flooded the display, dozens of them, all marked urgent.I hadn't been to the office in two weeks and it was killing me. Not because I cared about Hunt Classics anymore, but because staying away made me look weak. Made me look like I'd given up.I dragged myself out of bed and stumbled downstairs. Chloe sat at the dining table picking at toast and scrolling through her phone. She barely glanced up when I entered."Morning," I muttered, pouring myself coffee."Morning," she replied absently.I was halfway through my breakfast when the doorbell rang. Chloe stood immediately, grabbing her purse."I have somewhere to go," she announced, heading for the door."Where?" I asked."Out," she replied without looking back.She opened the door and Vincent stood there, with surprise flickered across his face when he saw her."
ChloeThe nurse Diana had hired walked into the sitting room looking defeated, her shoulders slumped and her face pale. Diana and I sat on the plush sofa, glasses of wine in hand, expecting good news about Dorian's death.Instead, the nurse wrung her hands nervously."Ma'am, I'm sorry," she began quietly. "It wasn't successful."Diana's wine glass paused halfway to her lips."What do you mean it wasn't successful?" she demanded, as her voice became sharp and dangerous.The nurse shifted her weight from foot to foot."The hospital has a strong policy against anyone accessing patients in intensive care units," she explained quickly. "They monitor every single staff member that touches them. Every medication administered, every cleaner who enters the room, everything is logged and recorded. There are cameras everywhere and security checks at every shift change.""What the hell do you mean by that, you foolish nurse!" Diana shouted, slamming her wine glass down so hard I was surprised it







