“And you are?”
The woman swallowed.
“Vanessa Cole.”
Nora’s pen stopped moving.
Ryan recognized the name.
Not from Hannah.
From the bank transfer.
Vanessa Cole.
Consultant.
$18,000.
$24,000.
$41,500.
Three payments over nine weeks.
Caleb’s hand lifted slightly.
“Vanessa, leave.”
But Vanessa looked at the blood smear still visible on the floor near the nurse’s station.
Then at the OR doors.
Then at the tiny pink gift bag in her hand.
“What happened?” she asked.
No one answered.
Her eyes filled with a fear that looked real.
Not innocent.
Real.
There was a difference.
Detective Briggs stepped closer.
“Ms. Cole, how do you know Mr. Whitmore?”
read more in next page