Chapter 3 – Forty Minutes in the Ice
11:48 p.m.
The steel door slammed shut.
The lock clicked.
Nathan laughed.
"Goodbye, Evelyn."
Outside the freezer, Detective Morgan quietly started her watch.
Inside...
I counted my breaths.
One.
Two.
Three.
The freezing air bit into my lungs.
Ice spread across the walls like crystal vines.
Even with insulated boots and thermal clothing hidden beneath my coat, the cold felt merciless.
I heard footsteps outside.
Nathan hadn't left.
Through the thick steel door, his voice drifted inside.
"Accidents happen."
Another voice answered.
Lila.
"How long?"
"Thirty minutes."
"And then?"
"We call 911."
"We cry."
"We tell everyone the emergency latch failed."
Lila laughed nervously.
"I still can't believe she's that trusting."
Nathan chuckled.
"She always believed I loved her."
Inside the freezer, I closed my eyes.
Not because I was afraid.
Because I wanted every word recorded.
Outside, Detective Morgan looked toward Donovan.
"That's enough."
Donovan shook his head.
"Not yet."
They needed one final piece.
Intent.
Five minutes later Nathan spoke again.
"When she's gone, I'll own every warehouse."
"And the insurance."
"And the company."
Miriam's voice joined them.
"Remember."
"Don't touch the body until the police arrive."
"Frozen skin tells the story we want."
Detective Morgan slowly removed her headset.
She didn't look angry.
She looked disgusted.
She raised one hand.
The tactical team moved.
Not toward Nathan.
Toward the freezer.
Inside, I heard heavy footsteps.
Then...
The emergency panel opened.
Warm air rushed inside.
A detective reached for me.
"You did great."
I stepped out of the freezer.
Alive.
Nathan turned around.
The smile disappeared from his face.
Color drained from his skin.
He stared at me as though he had seen a ghost.
"No..."
He whispered.
"That's impossible."
Behind me, Detective Morgan held up a warrant.
"No, Mr. Whitmore."
May you like
"What's impossible..."
"...is talking your way out of this."
