Chapter 6 - Unmasking the Monster
The giant television screen flared to life.
The living room went dead silent as the video from night sixty-two played in full, crystal-clear sound.
On the screen, Allison appeared carrying a silver tray into my mother's bedroom. The audio was so crisp you could hear my mother's quiet, terrified breathing as she cowered against her pillows.
"Please, Allison... no more of those red pills..." my mother begged on screen.
"Shut up and swallow them!" Allison's video persona barked, grabbing my mother by her jaw and forcing the toxic pills down her throat before slapping her across the face. "If you spit them out, I'll make sure Jade gets thrown in prison for stealing your jewelry!"
Allison’s attorney gasped, backing away from her as if she were covered in fire. "My God... Allison, what is that?"
"It's fake!" Allison shrieked, her voice turning into an unhinged pitch. "It's AI! He forged it! Ryder made that video to ruin me!"
I hit the next button on the remote.
The video shifted to night ninety-four. Chad and Allison were sitting right here in this living room, going over bank statements.
"How much longer until the old woman gives out?" Chad asked on screen, sipping bourbon.
"A month, maybe two," Allison answered with a cold smile. "The dose Dr. Harris gave us under the table is working perfectly. Her heart is getting weaker every week. Ryder won't even suspect a thing when he gets back from Saudi."
Chad fell backward onto the rug, sobbing uncontrollably. "No... no... I was just helping her! She told me it was just vitamin supplements!"
"Shut up, Chad!" Allison screamed, turning on her brother like a rabid animal. "Shut your mouth!"
Detective Miller stepped forward, pulling heavy steel handcuffs from his tactical belt.
"Allison Vance, you are under arrest for attempted first-degree murder, felony elder abuse, chemical poisoning, grand larceny, and corporate fraud," Miller announced, grabbing her wrists and snapping the steel cuffs shut behind her back.
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!" Allison throngs, kicking her heels against the floor as the officers dragged her toward the shattered front door. "RYDER! YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME! I AM YOUR WIFE! YOU LOVE ME!"
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I stood by the doorway, watching her thrash against the police grip.
"I loved the woman I thought you were," I said quietly, looking her straight in the eye as she was hauled out to the squad car. "The monster standing here today... is going to spend the rest of her life in a cage."
