Chapter 6 - The Interrogation Room
Downtown, in the sterile, windowless interrogation rooms of the San Diego Police Department, Vivian Hartley was rapidly losing her mind.
She had been sitting in the metal chair for six hours, wearing an orange jumpsuit that clashed violently with her expensive blonde highlights.
She demanded to speak to her lawyer, but her credit cards had been frozen by Hank, leaving her entirely powerless.
Detective Miller walked into the room, tossing a thick manila folder onto the metal table.
“Let’s try this again, Mrs. Hartley,” Miller said, pulling out a chair and sitting down heavily.
“I want a phone call,” Vivian demanded, her voice shrill and arrogant.
“You already made your call, and nobody answered,” Miller replied coldly.
He opened the folder, pulling out several high-definition crime scene photos.
He spread them across the table, forcing Vivian to look at the massive pool of blood and the melted fabric in the kitchen.
“Your daughter is currently in the ICU undergoing painful skin graft surgeries,” Miller stated.
“Your granddaughter was born premature and is fighting for her life on a ventilator.”
Vivian looked away, examining her manicured nails with a sickening lack of empathy.
“It was a tragic accident,” she repeated mechanically.
“I tripped over a baby shower gift and dropped the pot.”
Miller laughed, a harsh, humorless sound that echoed off the concrete walls.
“That is a fascinating story, Vivian, it really is.”
“Unfortunately, your daughter Kelsey just gave us a completely different version of events.”
Vivian’s head snapped up, real fear finally penetrating her arrogant facade.
“Kelsey signed a full confession ten minutes ago in the room right next door,” Miller revealed.
“She admitted that you two planned to steal the antique diamonds to pay off your secret gambling debts.”
Vivian’s jaw dropped in absolute shock.
“She admitted that you deliberately threw the boiling liquid to incapacitate Madison when she caught you in the act.”
“She sold you out to secure a plea deal, Mrs. Hartley.”
Vivian slammed her fists against the metal table, her face turning an ugly, furious shade of red.
“That little ungrateful brat is lying!” Vivian screamed, completely losing her composure.
“I paid for her entire life, I covered up her mistakes, and this is how she repays me?!”
Miller leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and staring deep into her panicked eyes.
“No, Vivian, this is simply the loyalty you taught her.”
“You raised a daughter who values money over blood, and now she is using those exact lessons against you.”
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“You are going to prison for a very, very long time.”
Miller stood up, leaving Vivian entirely alone in the cold, silent room to face the monster she had created.
