Chapter 5 - THE SAPPHIRE RING
Victoria looked down at the ring.
Then she covered it with her other hand.
Maya could not move.
The memory returned without warning.
A woman’s fingers tightening around her arm.
Blue light flashing from a stone.
A voice saying she would be safe if she remained quiet.
Smoke moving through a dark vehicle.
Maya pressed one hand against her temple.
Vance caught her before she lost her balance.
“What do you remember?”
“The ring.”
Her eyes remained fixed on Victoria.
“She was there.”
Victoria stepped backward.
“I have owned this ring for thirty years.”
“That does not prove anything.”
Agent Brooks approached.
“Mrs. Sterling, were you present near El Paso on October fourteenth, twenty-four years ago?”
“No.”
“Can anyone confirm that?”
“My husband.”
“Your husband died nine years ago.”
“My staff can provide records.”
Vance looked at the sapphire.
“I have seen that ring before.”
Victoria’s lips parted.
“Where?”
“On Evelyn Cross.”
Maya stared at him.
“My mother?”
“It was a family heirloom.”
“General Cross gave it to her when she completed medical school.”
Victoria removed the ring quickly.
“This belonged to my grandmother.”
Vance held out his hand.
“Then you will not object to having it examined.”
“I will not surrender family property to you.”
Agent Brooks opened an evidence bag.
“You may surrender it voluntarily.”
“Or we can obtain a warrant.”
Victoria looked around the ballroom.
The same guests she had invited to witness Maya’s humiliation were now witnessing her fear.
Slowly, she removed the ring.
Agent Brooks sealed it.
Maya’s daughter began crying again.
A female officer offered to take Maya to a quiet room.
Maya refused.
“I have spent my entire life being moved away while other people made decisions about me.”
“I am staying.”
Vance nodded with quiet pride.
Agent Brooks examined the interior of Senator Vaughn’s briefcase.
She found a false bottom.
Beneath it was a cassette tape labeled NIGHT CROSSING.
A portable player was brought into the hall.
The tape began with static.
Then a man’s voice spoke.
“Convoy three has changed route.”
A woman answered.
“That was not authorized.”
The first voice returned.
“Vaughn says the child must not reach Washington.”
Maya’s knees weakened.
The woman began shouting.
There was a crash.
Then a baby screamed.
At the end of the tape, another voice spoke clearly.
It was younger.
But everyone recognized Victoria Sterling.
“Take the medal.”
“Leave the girl where she will be found.”
Ethan looked at his mother as though he had never seen her before.
“You were there.”
Victoria’s face became empty.
May you like
Then she whispered.
“I was trying to save her.”
