“I found my diamond bracelet hidden in her room.

I was handling it.” From the floor, Teresa’s voice came thin but certain.

“I didn’t take it, Mr.

David.

I never touched it.

I swear to you.” “Be quiet,” Vanessa snapped at her, and there was so much venom in it, so much practiced contempt, that it told me more than any explanation could have.

And then Vanessa raised her hand toward Teresa, the casual gesture of someone who had done it before and expected no consequence, and I crossed the room and caught her wrist before it could land.

“Don’t,” I said.