Chapter 6 - Reckoning in Red
The holding cell at the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department was a far cry from the luxury penthouse Margot Vance had shared with Bennett in downtown Phoenix. The air smelled of industrial disinfectant and old sweat, and the stainless-steel bench was freezing cold against her silk designer trousers.
Margot sat huddled in the corner, her expensive makeup smeared, her blonde hair matted and disheveled. For twenty-four hours, she had expected Bennett to sweep in with a team of high-powered attorneys, pay her bail, and carry her away from this nightmare.
Instead, the steel door slid open with a loud, mechanical screech, and a guard signaled for her to stand.
“Visitor,” the guard said flatly. “Five minutes.”
Margot practically leaped off the bench, smoothing her stained coat. “It’s about time,” she spat, trying to summon her usual smug arrogance. “Tell Bennett he’s going to pay for every second I spent in this disgusting place.”
She was led into a small, sterile visitation room split by a thick pane of bulletproof glass. She slammed herself down into the metal chair, picking up the heavy plastic phone receiver.
On the other side of the glass sat Victoria Vance.
Margot’s face fell. “Who are you? Where’s Bennett?”
“Mr. Finch is currently meeting with federal investigators regarding corporate embezzlement and tax fraud,” Victoria said calmly into her phone, her voice cool and entirely devoid of warmth. “He won't be coming to rescue you, Margot. In fact, he’s currently trying to cut a plea deal that places the entire blame for the assault on you.”
Margot’s breath caught in her throat. “What? That’s impossible! He told me to put Tessa in her place! He said he wanted her gone!”
“And I’m sure you can tell that to the jury during your trial,” Victoria replied, pulling a thick stack of court documents from her briefcase and pressing them against the glass for Margot to see. “These are the formal charges filed by the District Attorney’s office: Felony Aggravated Assault on a Pregnant Person, Reckless Endangerment, and Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress.”
“I just kicked her!” Margot shrieked, her voice rising into a panic. “She didn't even go to the hospital! She’s fine!”
“She was in the hospital when you kicked her,” Victoria corrected sharply. “And the video evidence clearly shows you lunging at an eight-month-pregnant woman with intent. Under Arizona law, an assault on a woman in her third trimester carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five to eight years in state prison.”
Margot’s hand trembled so violently she nearly dropped the phone. “Five to eight… years?”
“If you go to trial, yes,” Victoria said. “However, Ms. Halloway is feeling remarkably generous today.”
Margot pressed her face closer to the glass. “Generous? What does she want?”
“A full, signed confession detailing Bennett’s psychological abuse of Tessa over the last three years, as well as an admission that Bennett instructed you to intimidate Tessa into signing the divorce settlement.” Victoria tapped the paper against the glass. “You sign that affidavit, and Ms. Halloway will request the prosecutor reduce your charge to a misdemeanor with probation and community service.”
Margot stared at the legal documents. Her mind raced, weighing her options. Loyalty to Bennett Finch—a man who had abandoned her the second things went bad—versus her own freedom.
It wasn't even a choice.
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“Give me the pen,” Margot sobbed, tears spilling over her mascara-stained cheeks. “I’ll write down everything he ever said about her. I’ll give you his private emails. Just don't send me to prison!”
Victoria smiled a cold, victorious smile. She slipped the affidavit through the narrow slot at the bottom of the glass. “A very wise decision, Margot. It seems you finally understand where you belong.”
