The diamond before the fall

*Ashes*

At the farmhouse, Heiley's eyes widened as she heard the faint sound of footsteps outside, crunching on gravel. She was on the phone with Zoe, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Zoe, I think someone's here..."

She got up, moving quietly to the window. She peeked out and saw a flicker of flames licking at the wooden porch.

"Heiley, what's wrong?" Zoe's voice rose in panic.

Heiley rushed to the door, trying to open it. It was locked. From the outside.

"Zoe... someone's locked me in. I smell... gasoline. Oh God... someone's trying to burn me alive!" Her voice turned shrill as panic set in.

Zoe screamed into the phone. "Heiley! CALL 911! I'M COMING!" The line crackled, and then dead air.

Zoe's voice shook as she dialed Harris's number, praying he'd answer. It went through.

"Uncle Harris, it's Zoe! Heiley's in trouble. Someone is trying to burn her alive at the farmhouse! She was on the phone, and then the line went dead!"

Harris's voice turned ice-solid. "I'm on it. Call the police, now. I'm heading with security to the farmhouse."

He dropped everything, sprinting for his car. "SARAH, HEILEY IS IN DANGER!" he called out.

Zoe was already dialing 911, tears streaming down her face. "Please... please hurry..."

Harris jumped out before the engine stopped. He sprinted toward the farmhouse, dread crawling up his throat.

In the distance, the farmhouse was a burning inferno. Police sirens wailed faintly, too late. As Harris reached the cordon, flames licked the sky, everything turning to ashes.

A police officer blocked his path. "Sir, no one's survived if they were inside."

Harris's face twisted. "HEILEY." The word was a raw scream.

The officer looked away. "We're searching the perimeter, but we are sorry. It was too late when we reached here."

The world blurred. Everything was ashes. Sound roared continuously in his head.

Zoe reached the scene, breathless, and saw Harris's face. She collapsed to her knees. "No... no..."

The police started searching through the wreckage, looking for any sign... but it was too late. The farmhouse was gone.

The fire chief pulled back, shaking his head. "No remains found yet. Fire was too hot. We're treating it as arson with presumed fatality."

Harris stood frozen, his eyes on the smoldering ruins.

Zoe stumbled up, grabbing his arm. "No remains? That means—"

"It means nothing," Harris cut in, voice hollow. "Not until I see her."

The police officer turned to him. "We'll need you to come down to the station, sir. We need to—"

Harris nodded, numb. "I'll go."

The search through the wreckage continued, in vain. The farmhouse was gone. Heiley was gone.

Zoe whispered, "Someone intentionally killed her?"

The officer's expression was grim. "Looks like it. We'll know more when forensics are done."

Troy, Sarah, and Emily arrived at the scene, faces etched with shock and worry. Emily hung back, expression appropriately somber.

Sarah rushed to Harris, grabbing his arm. "Harris, what happened?"

Harris's eyes were dead. "They say... no one survived."

Troy's face twisted. "What? No... Heiley... no."

The police started asking them questions. Emily stayed quiet, asking concerned questions like the others. _Too concerned._ Her hands didn’t shake. Not once.

The investigation continued, everyone shaken. No one pointed fingers.

................................

It was 10 AM, the family was seated in the Baldwin living room. The lead detective stood before them, expression somber.

"Mr. Baldwin, Ms. Smith... we're sorry. We're closing the case for now."

Harris's jaw tightened. "What do you mean?"

Detective Kim sighed. "No evidence, no leads. No remains recovered. Whoever started that fire... it's like they vanished into thin air. We're sorry we couldn't bring justice for Heiley."

Zoe looked away, fighting tears. Sarah held Harris's arm, tight.

Troy stood abruptly. "That’s it? She burns and you just—" His voice broke. He walked out, slamming the door.

Emily finally spoke, voice soft. "Maybe... maybe she's still alive."

Rajeev turned slowly. "My niece can't be dead. And what do you mean you can't find those idiots? Keep investigating no matter what it takes." His voice was quiet. Dangerous.

Detective Kim looked sincere. "I know how you feel, Mr. Collins, but if she survived she would be in one of the hospitals around. We checked every corner. No sign. And for the one who started the fire, we can't find any leads on him."

Harris turned to him. "I know you're doing your job but please keep digging. Even if it takes all my assets, I will pay." The detective nodded and left the Baldwin mansion.

Emily was filled with joy inside but kept the sad face. _Heiley, everything that belonged to you, it's mine now._

The room fell silent, everyone left one by one. After they left, Harris sat alone in Heiley’s room. He opened her jewelry box. Empty. Except one thing at the bottom: a single diamond stud.

The other one was missing. The set Martha gave her and Zoe on graduation.

Heiley never took her earrings off. He closed his fist around the stud. _Are you really dead, my princess?_

His head snapped up with hope. "Maybe she survived."