Chapter 4 - THE WITNESS IN THE APRAON
Ten minutes later, the blue flashing lights of two Westchester County police cruisers illuminated the iron gates of Sterling Manor.
Detective Vance, a seasoned investigator with twenty years on the force, stepped into the marble bathroom alongside the forensic unit.
"The lighter was lying right there, Detective," Julian said, standing in his navy suit with arms crossed over his chest.
The crime scene technician carefully bagged the cheap red lighter using sterile tweezers, sealing it inside a clear evidence pouch.
Detective Vance turned to Mrs. Gable, who sat nervously on the edge of a mahogany armchair in the adjacent lounge.
"Mrs. Gable, did you witness what transpired inside that bathroom?" Vance asked gently, pulling out his official notepad.
The elderly nanny wiped her tearful eyes with the corner of her white apron before looking directly at Victoria, who stood guarded in the hallway.
"I saw Miss Victoria hold the flame against little Lily’s skin," Mrs. Gable confessed, her voice trembling with righteous anger. "She told the poor child that if she cried, she would burn her other hand too."
A collective gasp echoed among the assembled officers while Victoria screamed incoherently at the elderly servant.
"She’s lying! She’s just an old maid trying to save her job!" Victoria shrieked, her voice echoing off the vaulted ceilings.
May you like
"That's enough, ma'am," Detective Vance snapped, signaling his partner to step forward with steel handcuffs.
***
