Chapter 5 - The True Queen of the Night
Two weeks later, the suburban street outside our house was quiet again, wrapped in the warm, golden glow of a late spring evening.
The Vances' grand estate on the north side was dark and empty; Councilman Vance was currently sitting in a county holding cell awaiting federal indictment on corruption and conspiracy charges, while his golden-boy son was facing multiple felony counts that no amount of family money could sweep away. David’s firm had conducted an internal audit, cleared his name of all coerced wrongdoing, and reinstated him with a promotion and a public apology from the municipal board.
Inside our kitchen, the air smelled like garlic butter, warm bread, and vanilla extract.
I leaned against the counter, watching the scene unfold in the dining room.
Kayla was standing in front of the full-length mirror, wearing a stunning silver pantsuit instead of a prom dress. Her hair was still short—a sleek, dark peach-fuzz stubble that had started growing back in soft, dark waves. She looked fierce, radiant, and entirely free.
And sitting at the kitchen island, wearing her unicorn pajamas and eating a bowl of chocolate ice cream with a pink spoon, was Reese.
"Hey, Mom," Reese said, looking up at me with those huge, innocent brown eyes. "Can I borrow your phone tomorrow? I want to start a new podcast about how to catch bad guys who wear hoodies."
I laughed, walking over to ruffle her hair. "Only if you let me be your co-host, agent."
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The front door opened, and David walked in carrying a large box of pizza, laughing as Kayla rushed over to show him how her new hairstyle looked in the light.
The house was safe. The shadows were gone. And upstairs, resting on the nightstand beside an electric razor and a little pink tape recorder, was the undeniable proof that sometimes, the smallest member of the family is the one who saves everybody else.
