Chapter 3 - The Desperate Flight
As the officers stepped onto the stage, Vanessa’s panic turned into pure, unadulterated madness. She grabbed a crystal champagne bucket from the table and hurled it at the nearest officer. The glass shattered, creating a momentary chaos as guests screamed and ducked for cover.
Vanessa didn't hesitate. She kicked off her designer heels and bolted toward the open ocean side of the pavilion, running out onto the dark, silver-lit sand.
"Secure the exits!" Chief Vance shouted into his radio.
"No need, Chief," I said, slipping off Daniel’s jacket and handing it back to him. "She’s running toward the private docks. She thinks her yacht is her escape route."
"Elena, wait," Daniel said, catching my wrist. His eyes were full of worry. "Let the officers handle it. You’ve done enough."
I looked down at his hand, then up into his eyes, giving him a reassuring smile. "She tore my dress, Daniel. And she tried to ruin my husband. I finish my own cases."
I ran out into the cool night air, the wet sand packed hard beneath my bare feet. The Atlantic wind whipped against my face. Ahead of me, Vanessa was a frantic white shape running down the long wooden pier toward the Azure Empress, her luxury $10 million yacht.
She was screaming at her crew to cast off the lines, but the yacht remained completely dark.
"Jerry! Start the engine! Get us out of here!" Vanessa shrieked as she reached the deck.
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I walked calmly onto the pier, the wood cool beneath my feet. "Jerry isn't coming, Vanessa. He was detained at the marina entrance an hour ago."
Vanessa spun around, trapping herself against the yacht’s railing. The moonlight illuminated her disheveled hair, her smeared makeup, and the absolute terror in her eyes. "You think you’ve won? My father has judges in his pocket! I’ll be out on bail before sunrise, and I will destroy your life, Elena! I will make sure you and Daniel have nothing!"
