Ethan’s business partner, pale and sweating.
And finally, a woman he once called “just an assistant”… holding a folder like it might save her.
Ethan’s face drained of color.
“What is this?” he demanded.
I stepped aside.
“Breakfast.”
No one laughed.
Rebecca took a seat. The officers remained standing. The bank executive opened his case. The assistant sat quietly, hands trembling.
Diane’s voice tightened. “Ethan, make them leave.”
Ethan stood. “Everyone out. Now.”
One officer stepped forward. “Mr. Caldwell, sit down.”
He froze.
For the first time in years, no one listened to him.
I placed a tablet on the table and pressed play.
His voice filled the room.
“Tomorrow morning, I want a real breakfast…”
Then—
The slap.
Diane’s smile disappeared.
Another recording followed.
“A wife needs to be corrected early.”
Ethan lunged for the tablet, but the officer stopped him.
I looked at him.
“You picked the wrong woman.”