“What are you talking about?” Brinley’s voice trembled on the other end of the line.
“What am I talking about?” Starla echoed. “Brinley, you directed this little drama. You should be the one to face the consequences.”
Now that she had refused to play her part, she was curious to see how Brinley would clean up her own mess.
“You know,” Starla added with feigned concern, “I think you’re in such a panic that you’ve forgotten the most obvious step. When a child this important goes missing, you should really call the police, don’t you think?”
“What are you planning to do?”
“Don’t worry. Since I’m the clear-headed one here, I’ll be happy to call them for you.”
With that, Starla hung up. She immediately dialed the police, even providing them with the address of the villa.
Once that was done, she got out of bed and called Garret.
...
After smoking two and a half more cigarettes, Fairfax finally tossed the butt and walked into the house. He was met with the sight of Starla, already dressed, descending the stairs while on the phone.
“Yes, stay clear,” he heard her say. “And make sure you erase any trace that you were there.”
When she saw him, she ended the call. She paused halfway down the staircase, looking down at him.
In that moment, she exuded an air of regal authority he had never seen before. She had always been gentle, kind, obedient. This new Starla made him deeply uncomfortable. It was more than just unfamiliar; it was unsettling.
A mocking smile played on her lips. “How did you get out?”


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