Chapter 10
The piercing wail of police sirens flooded the grounds of Oakridge Manor as two marked cruisers swept around the gravel driveway, their red and blue emergency lights flashing wildly against the elegant facade of the grand house. Elena lowered the telephone receiver, hearing the dispatcher’s voice urging her to remain inside the shed until deputies secured the area.
Moments later, heavy footsteps approached the maintenance shed, and a uniform-clad deputy appeared in the open doorway, flashlight drawn and pointed cautiously downward before recognizing the vulnerable woman standing by the workbench.
“Are you Elena Oakridge?” the deputy asked, lowering his weapon slightly as he assessed her bruised face and trembling posture.
“Yes,” Elena breathed out, a wave of profound relief washing over her exhausted frame. “Thank God you’re here. My husband and his mother—they tried to kill me. They killed Daniel’s first wife, Catherine, too. The evidence is inside the main house in his private study.”
“Step outside slowly, ma'am, and keep your hands where I can see them,” the deputy instructed professionally, guiding her out into the bright afternoon sunlight. Another deputy arrived to secure the scene, while the first officer escorted Elena toward the safety of the cruiser.
Across the courtyard, the front door of the manor swung open, and Margaret stepped out onto the porch. Her beige tweed skirt suit remained immaculate, her blonde updo unruffled, projecting an air of absolute calm and wounded innocence. She walked down the steps with slow, measured dignity, her hands clasped neatly in front of her.
“Officer, thank goodness you’re here,” Margaret called out, her voice dripping with practiced maternal concern as she approached the deputies. “My daughter-in-law has suffered a severe mental breakdown. She’s been delusional all morning, damaging property and fleeing into the grounds. We were only trying to restrain her for her own safety.”
Elena stared at Margaret in absolute disbelief, astounded by the sheer audacity of the older woman’s deception. “She’s lying!” Elena shouted, stepping forward. “She helped Daniel murder Catherine! Check the bottom drawer of the desk in the study! The police reports and Catherine’s journal are right there!”
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The lead deputy looked between Margaret’s calm, composed demeanor and Elena’s frantic, bruised appearance. However, trained in handling complex domestic situations, the deputy nodded to his partner. “Backup is securing the perimeter. Let’s take a look inside that study.”
Margaret’s composure flickered for a fraction of a second at the mention of the study desk, but she quickly recovered, offering a thin, condescending smile. “By all means, Officer. You will find nothing amiss in our home. We have nothing to hide.”
