Chapter 12 - The RingEmma stared at the empty space on her finger.
The engagement ring was gone.
She had given it to Margaret.
Sarah smiled.
"That's why William never tried to destroy the ring."
Emma's heart raced.
"I gave it to Adrian's mother."
"Then we find her."
They returned to the Blake mansion.
Margaret was sitting alone in the library.
When she saw Emma, she started crying.
"I knew you would come back."
Emma stopped.
"Where is the ring?"
Margaret reached beneath the desk.
She placed a small velvet box on the table.
Emma opened it.
The ring was there.
But something was different.
The diamond had been removed.
Emma stared.
"Who took the stone?"
Margaret whispered:
"Adrian."
Emma's chest tightened.
"Why?"
"He said he needed to protect you."
Sarah stepped forward.
"Open the ring."
Emma examined the band.
Inside was a tiny hidden compartment.
She pushed it.
A microscopic chip slid out.
Daniel connected it to a computer.
A video appeared.
Emma's mother.
Older.
Tired.
Terrified.
She looked directly into the camera.
"Emma."
Emma's breath caught.
"If you're watching this, then William failed."
Her mother continued.
"Everything I did was to protect you."
Tears filled Emma's eyes.
"I know you will hate me when you discover the truth. But I need you to understand."
The video flickered.
"Your father isn't the mastermind."
Emma froze.
"He was working for someone else."
The screen showed a name.
Victor Blake.
Adrian's father.
Emma looked at Sarah.
Sarah said nothing.
Her mother continued.
"Victor created Project Eden."
Emma's mind raced.
"Sarah and Adrian were used as pawns."
The video flickered again.
"And there is something I need you to know about your child."
Emma stepped closer.
"Your baby carries the same genetic marker as the Blake family."
Emma frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Her mother looked down.
"Your child can legally inherit the Blake trust."
Sarah whispered:
"That's why they want the baby."
The video continued.
"But there is another reason."
Emma's heartbeat quickened.
"Your child is the only person who can legally expose Project Eden."
Emma froze.
Her mother continued.
"The trust contains sealed evidence."
"Evidence that will destroy everyone involved."
The screen went black.
Silence.
Then the laptop beeped.
A new file appeared.
ACCESS DENIED.
Daniel frowned.
"What?"
Sarah looked at him.
"It's locked to Emma."
"How do we open it?"
Sarah answered:
"With the baby's blood."
Emma stared.
"You expect me to do what?"
Sarah shook her head.
"Not now."
She looked toward the door.
"Later."
The door suddenly burst open.
Police flooded the room.
"Emma Carter!"
She stepped back.
"What is happening?"
An officer raised his weapon.
"You're under arrest for the murder of William Carter."
Emma's blood ran cold.
"What?"
Daniel shouted:
"Don't touch her!"
The officer held up a photograph.
Emma recognized it.
Her fingerprints were on the gun used to kill her father.
She had never seen the gun before.
The officer said:
"We have video evidence."
Emma stared.
"Video?"
The officer nodded.
"You're seen leaving the room five minutes before his death."
Emma couldn't speak.
May you like
Because someone had just created the perfect crime.
And the evidence pointed directly at her.
