THE FALL
The article was published at 9:00 AM.
Maya’s editor had been nervous. The legal team had been nervous. The publisher had been nervous.
But they ran it.
“The Fourth Victim: How a Beloved Therapist Got Away With Murder for Twenty Years.”
Within an hour, the story went viral.
Maya’s phone wouldn’t stop buzzing. Calls from news outlets. Emails from victims’ families. Death threats from Vance’s supporters.
She didn’t answer.
She sat on Rachel’s couch, watching the coverage.
The state police held a press conference. They announced that Dr. Marcus Webb had been charged with multiple counts of conspiracy to commit murder. They announced that Detective Leah Park had been suspended pending investigation. They announced that the search for Dr. Elias Vance was continuing.
And then they announced something Maya hadn’t expected.
The FBI had joined the investigation.
A special agent named David Torres stood at the podium. He was young, sharp-faced, with tired eyes.
“We believe Dr. Vance may have fled the state. Possibly the country. We’re working with international agencies to track him down.”
“Where does he have connections?” a reporter asked.
“He has family in Canada. Professional contacts in Europe. We’re following every lead.”
“Any idea how many victims?”
“We’re still compiling the list. But we believe it’s in the dozens.”
Maya turned off the TV.
Danny sat beside her.
“You did it.”
“We did it.”
“What happens now?”
Maya looked at her daughter.
“Now we wait. And we watch. And we make sure he never hurts anyone again.”
She picked up her phone.
Called her editor.
“I want to write a follow-up. The families. The survivors. The women who got away.”
“Do it.”
She hung up.
She opened her laptop.
She began to write.