High above on the balcony, Victor leaned over the edge, gasping for air as he watched my body motionless on the rocks below.
Margaret: Is it done, Victor?
Victor: She's dead, Mother. The fall killed her instantly.
Margaret: Good. Now go inside and wipe the railing before the staff comes back from the kitchen.
Victor turned around, but suddenly his hand flew to his neck. A sharp, burning heat spread under his skin, making his vision turn blurry.
Victor: Mother... my throat... I can't breathe!
Margaret: What are you talking about? Stop messing around, we have to call our defense lawyer!
Victor: No! It feels like... like fire in my chest!
He fell to his knees on the stone balcony, clutching his throat as a loud, choking scream escaped his mouth. Margaret dropped her wine glass, the crystal shattering across the floor as she rushed to his side.
Margaret: Victor! What's wrong with you?!
Victor: She... she gave me something... before I pushed her!
Margaret: When?! She didn't touch your drink!
Victor: The wine... on the table... she kissed my cheek right before I grabbed her!
Down on the sharp rocks, I slowly pushed myself up. Pain flared through my ribs, but the hidden safety net and thick pine branches thirty feet up had broken my fall just enough to keep me alive. I wiped the blood from my neck and pulled out my satellite phone, dialing the emergency number I had saved three days ago.
Elena: Detective Vance?
Detective Vance: Elena? Are you alright? We heard a scream over the wire!
Elena: The trap worked. He shoved me off the balcony just like we planned.
Detective Vance: Are you hurt?! Where are you?
Elena: I'm bruised, but the harness hidden under my dress saved my life. Send the units up the mountain road now.
Detective Vance: We're already at the gate. Hold on, Elena!
I stood up shaking, tearing off the broken harness straps concealed beneath my torn teal dress. Up on the balcony, Victor's screams turned into desperate gasps as the paralyzing nerve agent took full effect, locking his muscles in place.
Margaret: Someone help! Somebody call an ambulance!
Elena: Nobody is coming to save you, Margaret.