Chapter 4 - DIANE DOESN'T DENY ENOUGH
Police separated guests.
The cake remained untouched.
Nobody tasted frosting.
Nobody cut it.
Emily was examined by paramedics anyway because stress had triggered abdominal tightening.
Her vital signs stabilized.
The baby’s movement remained normal.
Good.
Then Linda asked the question again.
“Why?”
Diane sat on a sofa.
An officer stood nearby.
Her attorney was on the way.
Diane said:
“I did not want Emily dead.”
Linda laughed once.
It sounded broken.
“That is not an answer.”
“I thought she would take one bite at most.”
Emily stared at her godmother.
“You knew something was in it.”
Diane looked away.
“I knew it would make you sick.”
Ryan stepped forward.
The officer stopped him with one hand.
Linda’s voice lowered.
“You put something dangerous into a cake for a woman eight months pregnant.”
Diane snapped:
“I didn’t touch the cake.”
Important.
She had arranged the substitute.
She had not personally prepared it.
Then Linda asked:
“Who did?”
Diane closed her eyes.
“I’m not answering without counsel.”
That was smart.
Then Emily whispered:
“Was this because of the foundation?”
Diane looked at her.
Too quickly.
Linda saw it.
“What foundation?”
Emily turned.
“I found payments.”
Diane said:
“Stop.”
Emily continued.
“Related vendors. Mercer Civic Strategies. Missing contracts.”
Linda stared at her sister.
Diane’s face hardened.
“That has nothing to do with tonight.”
Emily answered:
“Then why did you need me sick?”
Diane did not reply.
And for the first time Linda understood that the gender reveal had never been the target.
The timing had.
May you like
Emily planned to show Linda a file after the party.
Diane knew.
