The Woman in the Red Dress
Chapter 02 - The Woman in the Red Dress
Vanessa had been Daniel’s “business consultant.”
That was how he introduced her six months earlier.
She attended dinners, reviewed branding proposals, and sent messages late at night about client emergencies. Claire noticed the way Vanessa touched Daniel’s sleeve when she laughed, but Daniel said jealousy was beneath her.
“You are imagining a threat because you are still grieving,” he told her.
Claire’s mother had died eight months earlier.
Daniel used the grief whenever Claire asked difficult questions. Missing money became stress. Late nights became paranoia. A locked phone became emotional instability.
Now Vanessa stood barefoot inside Claire’s doorway, wearing the red dress Claire had seen hanging in Daniel’s office closet two weeks earlier.
Officer Miguel Santos looked between the women.
“Who called us?”
“I did,” Vanessa said. “She moved out, then came back angry.”
Claire looked at Daniel.
“I traveled to Portland for three days.”
Daniel avoided her eyes.
Vanessa stepped down from the porch.
“Daniel asked you to leave.”
“No,” Claire said. “Daniel sent a message saying he needed space.”
“That is the same thing.”
“It is not legally the same thing,” Claire replied.
The officer noticed the precision in her voice.
“You are an attorney?”
“Real estate compliance.”
Vanessa’s confidence flickered.
Daniel stepped forward.
“We have documents showing the property was transferred.”
Claire slowly lifted the leather folder.
“So do I.”
Rain struck the driveway harder.
The officer opened his clipboard.
“Then let us begin with the deed.”
Vanessa smiled as if the moment already belonged to her.
May you like
Claire knew that smile.
It was the smile of someone who had only seen the forged page.
