Chapter 2 - Blood and Water
Sirens wailed in the distance, growing louder with every passing second.
The blue and red lights cut through the evening darkness, reflecting off the supermarket’s massive front windows.
Inside the store, the air was thick with tension.
Two uniformed police officers strode through the automatic doors, their hands resting on their utility belts.
Karen immediately stepped forward to meet them, presenting the printed transaction logs.
"We have a case of massive corporate fraud," Karen explained clearly to the lead officer.
"My assistant manager, Nathan Brooks, has been routing thousands of dollars in stolen gift cards to his personal accounts."
She pointed a steady finger at Nathan, who was now slumped against a display of chewing gum.
"He was using the employee code of this minor," Karen continued, gesturing gently toward Emily.
"And he was doing it in collusion with that woman."
The officer’s gaze shifted to Rebecca.
Rebecca immediately fell to her knees, sobbing hysterically and clasping her hands together.
"I was forced!" Rebecca screamed, playing the ultimate victim.
"He told me if I didn't help him launder the cards, he would frame Emily anyway! I did it to protect my niece!"
Emily gasped loudly at the blatant lie.
"That's not true!" Emily cried out, her voice cracking with lingering fear.
"You told me to approve the transaction! You slapped me when I tried to stop it!"
Laura stepped forward, her maternal instincts fully unleashed.
She looked down at her sister, her expression entirely devoid of love or sympathy.
"You hit my child," Laura said, her voice shaking with an anger so deep it terrified even the surrounding customers.
"You sold out your own blood for a cut of stolen money."
"Laura, please, you have to believe me!" Rebecca begged, reaching for her sister’s jeans.
Laura violently kicked her leg back, breaking the contact.
"You are no sister of mine," Laura whispered.
The police officers moved in swiftly, pulling handcuffs from their belts.
The cold metal clicked around Nathan’s wrists first.
He offered no resistance, his eyes completely hollow as he realized the magnitude of his failure.
Then, the second officer grabbed Rebecca by the arms, forcing her up from the tiled floor.
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"Rebecca Hayes, you have the right to remain silent," the officer recited, spinning her around.
The sound of the handcuffs locking around her aunt’s wrists was a sound Emily would never forget.
