Chapter 2 The Flash Drive They Couldn't Afford to Lose
Chapter 2
The Flash Drive They Couldn't Afford to Lose
The pounding on the front door echoed through the Ashcroft mansion like a judge's gavel.
"Police Department! Open the door!"
For the first time in years, the Ashcroft family looked powerless.
Not frightened by the sight of Eleanor's blood.
Not ashamed of Richard's violence.
Terrified.
Terrified of authority standing just outside their carefully built world.
Vivian Ashcroft recovered first.
She turned toward the butler with astonishing composure.
"Thomas," she said evenly, "there has been a misunderstanding. Please allow the officers inside."
Thomas hesitated.
He had served the Ashcroft family for twenty-eight years.
Long enough to recognize the difference between an accident...
...and panic.
Before he could move, Richard grabbed Eleanor's wrist.
His grip was painfully tight.
"The drive."
His voice had become little more than a whisper.
"Give it to me."
Eleanor stared at him.
"What drive?"
His eyes widened.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about."
"I don't."
"You've never been a convincing liar."
She smiled despite the blood still running down her cheek.
"And you've never been good at hiding fear."
Richard tightened his grip.
"You have no idea what you're holding."
"Then explain it to the police."
For one dangerous second, Eleanor thought he might strike her again.
Instead...
Claire stepped forward.
"Let her go."
Richard ignored her.
Daniel finally rose from his chair.
"Richard."
His younger brother's voice carried something Eleanor had never heard before.
Disappointment.
"You're making everything worse."
Richard spun toward him.
"Stay out of this."
"I've stayed out of it for twelve years."
Daniel's jaw tightened.
"And look where that's gotten us."
Another loud knock shook the massive front doors.
"Police! Open immediately!"
Vivian closed her eyes.
"We don't have much time."
She turned toward Eleanor.
"I know you think we're your enemies."
"You are."
Vivian accepted the answer without argument.
"Then at least listen."
"I've listened to this family for nine years."
"I'm done listening."
The elderly woman sighed.
"If that drive reaches the wrong people..."
"...none of us survive."
Eleanor frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Vivian looked around the dining room before lowering her voice.
"It contains evidence."
"Evidence of what?"
No answer.
Instead, Vivian looked toward Richard.
Richard shook his head almost imperceptibly.
The silence itself became an answer.
Whatever was hidden inside that flash drive...
Everyone at the table already knew.
Everyone except Eleanor.
The front doors finally opened.
Three sheriff's deputies entered first.
Behind them came two detectives from Napa County Major Crimes.
Their expressions changed immediately.
One detective spotted the blood on Eleanor's face.
The shattered porcelain.
The frightened witnesses.
The man still standing too close to his injured wife.
"I'm Detective Laura Bennett."
She stepped directly toward Eleanor.
"Ma'am, are you injured?"
"Yes."
"Who did this?"
Eleanor lifted one trembling finger.
Straight toward Richard.
"My husband."
Every eye in the room turned.
Richard immediately raised both hands.
"It was an accident."
"It slipped."
Several relatives began speaking at once.
"She startled him."
"He didn't mean—"
"It happened so fast—"
Detective Bennett held up one hand.
"One at a time."
Silence returned.
Another deputy carefully photographed the broken plate.
The blood on the floor.
The overturned chair.
Everything.
Richard watched every picture being taken.
Not with concern.
With calculation.
Claire noticed.
So did Eleanor.
The detective turned back toward Eleanor.
"Would you like medical treatment?"
"Yes."
"And I'd like to press charges."
Vivian inhaled sharply.
Richard closed his eyes.
Daniel simply lowered his head.
As paramedics entered the dining room carrying medical equipment, Detective Bennett addressed the family.
"Nobody leaves this house until we've completed our interviews."
The sentence landed like thunder.
Richard suddenly spoke.
"My wife is confused."
"I'm perfectly clear."
"She's suffered a head injury."
Eleanor laughed bitterly.
"My memory seems better than yours."
The detective studied both of them carefully.
Years of experience had taught her that victims and abusers rarely behaved the same way.
Richard couldn't stop watching Eleanor's right hand.
The one still holding her phone.
Still hiding the tiny silver flash drive inside her closed fist.
Detective Bennett noticed.
"What are you holding?"
Richard answered too quickly.
"Nothing."
The detective looked at him.
"I wasn't asking you."
Eleanor slowly opened her hand just enough to reveal a corner of the flash drive.
Claire's heart nearly stopped.
Richard instinctively stepped forward.
"I'll take that."
Two deputies immediately blocked his path.
"Stay where you are."
Richard froze.
Detective Bennett extended her hand.
"May I see it?"
Before Eleanor could answer...
Claire suddenly interrupted.
"No."
The room stared at her.
Claire's voice shook.
"It belongs to Eleanor."
Detective Bennett tilted her head.
"Do you know what's on it?"
Claire swallowed.
"I..."
She looked toward Vivian.
Then Daniel.
Then Richard.
Finally back to Eleanor.
"No."
"But I know people have been trying to destroy it for years."
The room exploded into chaos.
"Claire!"
"Stop talking!"
"What are you doing?"
Vivian's carefully controlled mask finally cracked.
Richard looked as though someone had punched him.
Daniel closed his eyes in defeat.
Detective Bennett's instincts immediately sharpened.
"What exactly do you mean..."
"...destroy it?"
Claire opened her mouth.
But before a single word escaped...
Every light inside the mansion went out.
Darkness swallowed the dining room.
Someone screamed.
A loud crash echoed from the hallway.
Then came another sound.
Glass shattering.
Followed by footsteps.
Running.
Not away from the police.
Toward the dining room.
Toward Eleanor.
May you like
Toward the flash drive hidden inside her hand.
End of Chapter 2
