Something shifted in Vanessa then, some final calculation completing behind her eyes, and she stopped pretending.

“I did what was necessary,” she said, “to protect what belongs to you.”

“You nearly killed Maria.”

“I only wanted to frighten her,” Vanessa said.

“She had no right to interfere.” “And Andrew?” Daniel asked, keeping his voice level, keeping the phone recording.

“Were you only planning to frighten him too?” And Vanessa gave a short, bitter laugh, and said the thing that ended her.

“Your brother ruined his own life,” she said.