The heavy silk American flag hung completely motionless along the second-floor stone balcony.
Seven-year-old Toby backed against the cold railing, clutching his yellow cotton shirt with shaking fingers.
Victoria stood over him in an emerald green satin top, her face twisted into a cruel, venomous grin.
Victoria: Stop squirming, you worthless little burden!
Toby: Please, Victoria! Don't push me! I was just waiting for Daddy by the stairs!
Victoria: Your daddy isn't here to save you, and you're not getting a single dime of this estate!
Toby: Daddy! Help me please!
Victoria grabbed his small wrists, lifted him over the stone balustrade, and let go into empty air.
The boy plummeted thirty feet down through the foyer, screaming toward the hard marble floor.
Toby: Save me!
Down in the entrance hall, Marcus Sterling froze mid-stride in his grey suit, his briefcase crashing down.
He sprinted across the floor, threw his body forward, and slid on his knees with arms wide open.
Toby slammed straight into his father's chest, knocking the air out of Marcus as they skidded across the stone.
Toby: Daddy! Daddy, she threw me off!
Marcus: I've got you, buddy! Daddy has you!
Marcus scooped the weeping boy into his arms, charged up the stairs, and slapped Victoria hard across the face.
Marcus: You vile monster!
Victoria: Marcus! How dare you strike me in this house!
Marcus: If you ever come near my child again, I will destroy you!
Victoria clutched her burning cheek, completely unaware of the sealed envelope tucked in Marcus's jacket that held the secret to end her life forever.