Chapter 5 - The Rat in a Trap
Cut off from her wealth, her home, and her company, Eleanor was forced to move into a dingy, two-bedroom apartment on the edge of the city. Her husband, David, had filed for divorce the moment the bank accounts were frozen, fleeing to Europe to avoid the fallout.
But Eleanor wasn't ready to surrender. She was a cornered animal, and she was dangerous.
Sitting in the dim light of her new, cramped kitchen, Eleanor met with a man named Russo. He was a fixer—a man who operated in the shadows of the city's underworld, handling problems for the elite when the law couldn't.
"I don't have the cash up front," Eleanor said, her voice raspy. She slid a velvet pouch across the table. "But this is the Sterling family heirloom necklace. It's worth three million dollars. Untraceable."
Russo unzipped the pouch, inspecting the massive, flawless diamonds with a jeweler's loupe. He grunted in approval. "What's the job?"
"Nora Vance," Eleanor sneered, her eyes wide and manic. "I want her destroyed. I don't care how you do it. Plant drugs in her car. Frame her for fraud. Or... cut the brakes on her car. Make it look like an accident. Just like Richard."
Russo looked up, his expression unreadable. "You want me to take out the highest-profile billionaire in the city right now? The heat on that will be legendary."
"I don't care about the heat!" Eleanor screamed, pounding her fists on the table. "She ruined my life! She stole my legacy! I want her dead!"
Russo slowly placed the necklace back into the pouch and slipped it into his jacket. "Consider it handled, Mrs. Sterling."
He stood up and walked out of the apartment.
The moment the door clicked shut, Russo pulled a sleek smartphone from his pocket and hit dial.
"Ms. Vance," Russo said, his rough voice softening into a tone of utmost respect.
On the other end of the line, Nora sat in her study at the Sterling Manor, staring at the blazing fireplace. "Did she take the bait, Mr. Russo?"
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"Hook, line, and sinker," Russo replied. "She directly ordered a hit on you. Offered the heirloom necklace as payment. I have the entire conversation recorded on high-definition audio and video, courtesy of the button camera in my jacket."
Nora closed her eyes, a heavy sigh escaping her lips. It was the final piece. "Thank you, Russo. Deliver the footage directly to Detective Bradley at the major crimes unit. It's time."
