Chapter 2 - The Shadow of Melissa's Past
The officers didn't wait for Ryan to answer; they forced the front door open, their flashlights illuminating the shattered plate on the kitchen floor.
Ryan instantly dropped his hands, his face shifting into a well-rehearsed expression of deep concern and marital stress.
“Officers, thank God you’re here,” Ryan said, stepping forward with his hands open and visible.
“My wife is having an emotional breakdown after a stressful week, and she just started throwing the dinner plates at me.”
I looked at the responding officer, my face pale, the dark red mark of Ryan’s handprint perfectly visible against my skin.
Chloe stepped out from behind the counter, holding her phone out toward the detective in the front.
“He’s lying, Officer,” Chloe said, her voice trembling but resolute.
“I have the entire argument recorded on my emergency line, and he hit her because she wouldn't serve me dinner.”
Ryan’s eyes widened with a silent, murderous fury as the officers moved past him to check my face.
“Mr. Cole,” the lead detective said, pulling a pair of heavy steel handcuffs from his belt.
“You are under arrest for domestic assault and interfering with an emergency communication.”
As they pulled Ryan’s arms behind his back, he leaned close to his sister, whispering a threat that only she could hear.
May you like
“You’re dead to this family, Chloe,” he hissed.
Chloe didn't flinch; she simply handed me a cold towel for my cheek and whispered the name of a hidden storage facility on the east side of town.
