The distant sound of sirens echoed down the long driveway outside the mansion. Marcus stayed on the floor next to Clara, holding her hand while keeping his eyes fixed on Vanessa. The silence between the couple was heavy and suffocating. Vanessa didn't try to touch Clara again, nor did she come any closer to Marcus. She stood frozen in the middle of the foyer, looking at the black security camera like it was a ghost.
Vanessa: Marcus, please... let's just go to the hospital first. We can deal with security footage later.
Marcus: The ambulance is turning into the driveway right now. The paramedics will take care of her, and I am going straight to my office computer.
The heavy front doors opened as two paramedics rushed into the mansion carrying emergency medical equipment. They moved quickly to Clara's side, placing her gently onto a stretcher while asking routine questions about her condition. Marcus explained everything he knew while helping them secure Clara safely. As they wheeled his sister toward the ambulance, Marcus promised her he would be right behind them at the hospital.
Clara: Don't leave me alone, Marcus... please.
Marcus: I'm coming right after I check the system, Clara. I'll be at the hospital in twenty minutes. I promise.
Once the front doors closed behind the paramedics, Marcus turned back into the large, empty room. Vanessa was leaning against the edge of the hallway table, her breathing rapid and shallow. She looked small inside her grand red dress, stripped of all her usual authority and poise.
Vanessa: Marcus, listen to me for one minute. Things are not always what they look like on a monitor screen.
Marcus: You said she fell on her own. If the footage shows her slipping, you have nothing to be afraid of, right?
Marcus walked past her without waiting for an answer, heading straight into his home study on the ground floor. He sat down behind his heavy oak desk and booted up the master control panel for the house security system. Vanessa followed him into the room, standing right in the doorway, her hands tightly clutched together in front of her.
Marcus pulled up the afternoon recording logs on his monitor. He selected the grand hall camera and dragged the timeline back exactly twelve minutes. The high-definition screen brightened, displaying the empty white staircase under the clear sunlight. Marcus hit the play button.
On the screen, Clara appeared at the top of the stairs, holding the handrail carefully as she began her walk down. A moment later, Vanessa stepped into the frame from the upper hallway, wearing her bright red dress. She walked fast up behind Clara, her mouth moving in what looked like an intense argument. Clara turned around, holding up a hand to keep distance, but Vanessa stepped closer, blocking the top step completely.
Marcus: Look at the screen, Vanessa. Look at what you did.
On the video, Vanessa raised both hands and shoved Clara hard against the wooden railing. Clara stumbled, lost her balance, and tumbled down the last four steps onto the marble floor. Vanessa didn't run down to help her. She stood at the top of the stairs for a full five seconds, watching Clara writhe in pain before casually walking down to position herself next to the body right before Marcus burst through the double doors.