On her way to the police station, Elissa couldn’t help but turn this question. over and over in her mind.


    Back at the Murphy family’s house, she had forced herself to swallow her pride time and again, simply because she knew what the old woman was capable of. Elissa was almost certain the old matriarch despised her. The way the woman looked at her was as if she were already dead–yet for some reason, she never finished her off.


    Elissa had no power, no status. She was in no position to fight back. If she wanted to survive, she had to y along. She had to endure.


    But then there was the Atwater family.


    Why hadn’t she just kept her head downst time? Maybe it was because she thought she’d finally found Mrs. Atwater’s weak spot and had a bargaining chip for once.


    What had given her that courage? How had she dared?


    When she finally reached the police station, the officers took the evidence she brought and promptly told her she could leave.


    But there was no way Elissa was leaving just like that. “What’s going on. with Tanya Foster’s case?” she pressed. “Officer, she would never persuade someone to lie in court. There must be a mistake.”


    The officer hesitated, then said, “Orders from above. This is a serious case, and until it’s settled, no one’s allowed to see her.”


    Something about that set off rm bells in Elissa’s mind. What kind of situation warranted ordersing down from on high?


    She bit her lip, about to ask more, but her phone rang again.


    When she saw the caller ID, a sudden realization struck her. She thanked the officer quickly and hurried outside to answer, her voice cold and direct: “Hello? Did you set Tanya Foster up?”


    “Well, well,”


    te’s voice was aszy and mocking as ever. “Hit a nerve, did I?”


    Any lingering doubt vanished. Elissa’s voice grew sharp. “What are you. after?”


    “I want you to beg me.”


    te sounded positively gleeful on the other end.


    “te-” Rain was pouring down now, but Elissa didn’t even bother with an umbre. She strode toward her car, speaking so quickly her words tumbled out. “Why did you drag Tanya Foster into this? You’ll ruin her life


    with this!”


    Back in college, Tanya had worked herself to the bone to get ahead. She’d only pushed herself harder after graduation. If this charge stuck, her entire career would be over.


    “Save your breath.”


    te was born at the finish line where most people never even get to start. He didn’t care about any of this. “Elissa, I’m done forcing you. This time, I want you toe to me on your own. I want you to crawl into my bed, willingly.”


    Elissa’s hands shook with rage and panic. Her eyes burned with unshed tears as she spat, “In your dreams!”


    She was sure te hadn’te up with this n on his own–he simply wasn’t that clever. This had Marcia’s fingerprints all over it.


    Steeling herself, Elissa started the car and headed straight for Greenwood Manor.


    If Carm wouldn’t help, she’d go to Frank.


    te piped up again, calm as ever. “We’ll see if I’m dreaming soon.


    enough, won’t we? Elissa, you have until sunrise. If I don’t see you before then, Tanya Foster’s going to prison.”


    09:19


    He hung up.


    Elissa floored the gas pedal. When she reached Greenwood Manor, she barely managed to throw the car into park before she leapt out, not event bothering to shut off the engine.


    Lucy, seeing the car pull into the drive, hurried to open the door. She looked surprised to find Elissa, breathless and anxious, standing at the threshold. “Mrs. Atwater, what brings you back so suddenly?”


    “Where’s Frank?” Elissa demanded, desperation thick in her voice–as if she were clutching at herst hope.


    Lucy shook her head. “He’s not here. The young master hasn’t been home much these days.”


    So this was what Frank had meant when he said Marcia was moving out. He was helping her move–leaving with her.


    <b>3/3 </b>