Clara: Just a little further...
Clara squeezed her eyes shut against the sharp, stabbing pain in her lower back. She dragged her body forward an inch at a time, her elbows scraping against the hardwood. She slid her arm across the floor, her fingertips brushing against the cool glass edge of the phone.
Jessica: What are you doing down there? I told you to lie still!
Clara: My... my arm hurts...
Jessica: Well, that's what happens when you don't watch your step on high stairs.
Jessica walked over to the hallway table to pick up her glass of champagne, completely turning her back to Clara once more. Clara pulled the phone close to her chest, tapping the recent calls icon with her trembling thumb.
Clara: Please answer... please...
The call connected on the second ring. A stern, deep voice spoke clearly through the receiver.
Detective Reyes: Clara? Is everything alright at the estate?
Clara held the phone tightly against her ear, keeping her voice to an urgent, raspy whisper while keeping her eyes glued on Jessica's back.
Clara: Detective Reyes, it happened. Send everyone.
Detective Reyes: Clara! Are you in a safe place? Did Jessica attack you?
Clara: She shoved me... down the grand staircase. Evelyn is trying to cover it up. I'm bleeding, Reyes... please hurry.
Detective Reyes: Units are already dispatched! I'm two minutes away with your husband and three squad cars! Keep the line open!
Clara quietly slid the phone under her tan dress, pressing her hand over her stomach as heavy footsteps sounded from the kitchen hallway.
Evelyn: I brought a wet cloth. Jessica, help me drag her into the library before the guests finish their dinner in the ballroom.
Jessica: I'm not touching her, Mom. Get the butler to do it.
Evelyn: The butler is taking care of the parking valets! Grab her arms, Jessica!
Clara: Don't... don't touch me...
Evelyn: You don't have a choice, Clara. Once you're inside the library, we're calling our private doctor to check on you quietly. No police, no lawyers, no drama.
Jessica: And if Julian asks where you are, we'll tell him you went home early because you weren't feeling well.
Clara: You won't get away with this... Julian knows I would never leave without him.
Evelyn: Julian will believe whatever my daughter and I tell him. He trusts us with the family business, doesn't he?
Suddenly, the sound of loud, screeching tires echoed outside the front gates of the mansion. Bright blue and red lights flashed through the tall glass windows of the foyer, illuminating the white walls in a dramatic display.