The news anchor trembled violently, her face drained of all color.

“What are you doing?”

In the next second, the spout for the boiling water was turned on. Steam hissed as scalding liquid cascaded down, mere inches from her cheek. The intense heat radiated so close she could feel it prickling her skin. Tears streamed down her face, born of fear rather than pain.

"Caroline, stop! Have you lost your mind? This is a crime!"

Caroline held ...