CHAPTER 10 — THE HOUSE IN THE FOREST
Detective Ortiz refused to let Ethan go alone.
“That is exactly what she wants.”
“She has Rachel.”
“And she may have explosives, armed guards, or no intention of releasing her.”
“She asked for me.”
“She asked for a target.”
Ethan looked through the glass at Sophie.
His daughter was speaking quietly with a child therapist.
“I can’t let another mother disappear because of my family.”
“This is Cassandra’s crime, not yours.”
“She believes Laura tried to expose her. She wants to finish this with me.”
Ortiz crossed her arms.
“You will not enter that location without a plan.”
The video metadata led investigators to a hunting property near Estes Park, registered to another Vale shell company.
The building stood deep inside a private forest and had one narrow access road.
Thermal imaging showed four people inside.
Rachel.
Cassandra.
And two unidentified adults.
No visible explosives appeared outside, but the stone walls blocked most of the scan.
Ethan agreed to wear a hidden microphone and tracking device.
Police teams would remain beyond the tree line.
He would approach alone.
Before leaving, he sat beside Sophie’s hospital bed.
“Daniel and Olivia will stay with you.”
“Where are you going?”
“To help Addison’s mom.”
“Is Cassandra there?”
Ethan did not lie.
“Yes.”
Sophie’s eyes filled with fear.
“Don’t let her lock you outside.”
He pulled her into his arms.
“She won’t.”
“Promise you’ll come back.”
“I promise.”
This time, he knew the promise might be difficult to keep.
The drive to Estes Park took more than an hour.
Snow covered the forest road, and the sky remained dark despite the approaching morning.
Ethan parked where Cassandra had instructed and walked the remaining distance.
The house appeared between the trees.
Gray stone.
Dark windows.
Smoke rising from the chimney.
The front door opened before he reached it.
Vivian Vale stood inside.
She had changed out of her wedding gown and wore black trousers and a long coat.
“You came.”
“Where is Rachel?”
Vivian stepped aside.
Ethan entered.
The door locked behind him.
Cassandra stood near the fireplace.
She no longer resembled the bride from the lodge.
Her hair was pulled back tightly, and she wore dark clothing.
Rachel sat tied to a wooden chair.
A bruise marked the side of her face.
“Ethan,” Rachel whispered. “I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
Cassandra smiled.
“Still trying to rescue everyone.”
“Let her go.”
“You first.”
“What do you want?”
“You know what I want.”
“The trust?”
“The Blackwood shares. The insurance payment. Protection for my family.”
“You’re finished.”
“No. I am inconvenienced.”
“You kidnapped two children.”
“We provided controlled care.”
“You killed Laura.”
Cassandra’s smile faded.
“Laura killed herself by refusing to mind her own business.”
Ethan moved closer.
“You damaged her brakes.”
Vivian answered.
“Thomas arranged the vehicle.”
Cassandra looked at her mother.
“You should not have said that.”
Vivian’s eyes narrowed.
“We are beyond secrets.”
Ethan felt the microphone beneath his shirt.
Detective Ortiz was hearing every word.
“Who hit Laura’s car?” he asked.
Cassandra stared into the fire.
“I did.”
The confession was quiet.
Almost casual.
“She saw me behind her,” Cassandra continued. “She tried to call someone. I struck the rear of her vehicle near the curve. She lost control.”
Ethan’s vision darkened.
For a moment, he saw only Laura.
Her laughter.
Her hand inside his.
The last morning she kissed Sophie goodbye.
“You watched her go over the edge.”
Cassandra looked at him.
“Yes.”
Ethan stepped forward.
Vivian raised a pistol.
“Stop.”
He froze.
A second person emerged from the hallway.
Dr. Raymond Bell.
His hands trembled as he held another weapon.
“You need to sign three documents,” Cassandra said. “You will transfer voting authority over the Blackwood shares to Vivian. You will confirm our marriage. And you will appoint me Sophie’s permanent guardian.”
“And then?”
“You and Rachel will leave.”
Rachel shook her head desperately.
“She’s lying.”
Cassandra ignored her.
A stack of papers waited on the table.
Ethan picked up the pen.
“Let Rachel go first.”
“No.”
“Then I don’t sign.”
Vivian pressed the pistol against Rachel’s head.
“You will.”
Ethan looked at Cassandra.
“You planned every detail, but you made one mistake.”
“What mistake?”
“You believed everyone was afraid of you.”
Cassandra’s expression changed.
Ethan dropped the pen.
At that moment, Rachel kicked backward.
The chair struck Vivian’s knees.
The gun fired into the ceiling.
Ethan lunged across the table and grabbed Cassandra’s wrist.
Dr. Bell raised his weapon.
Before he could shoot, the windows shattered.
Police tactical officers entered from both sides.
“Drop the weapon!”
Bell panicked and fired toward the window.
Officers returned fire.
He fell against the wall, wounded in the shoulder.
Vivian reached for her pistol.
Rachel knocked it beneath the table.
Cassandra tore free from Ethan and ran toward the back hallway.
Ethan followed.
“Cassandra!”
She opened a rear door and disappeared into the snow.
Police shouted behind him.
Ethan reached the doorway in time to see Cassandra running toward a steep wooded slope.
A snowmobile waited between the trees.
She climbed onto it and started the engine.
Detective Ortiz rushed outside.
“Stop!”
Cassandra accelerated.
The vehicle shot down the narrow trail.
A second tactical team moved to intercept her below.
Then a deafening explosion came from inside the house.
The force threw Ethan into the snow.
Flames burst through the rear windows.
Cassandra had planted an explosive after all.
Ethan lifted his head.
May you like
Rachel and Vivian were still inside.
And the entire stone house was burning.
