Chapter 3 - Smoke in the Gallery
Guests ran for the front doors while smoke rolled across the gallery ceiling.
William handed Charlotte to Emma. “Take her outside. Stay with security.”
“No,” Charlotte cried, reaching for him.
“I’m right behind you.”
He kissed her forehead and turned toward the flames.
The hidden compartment burned fast—too fast for old wood and fabric. A chemical smell hit William as two security officers dragged an extinguisher across the floor.
“Accelerant,” one of them coughed.
Marcus appeared beside William. “We should evacuate.”
William stared at him. “You seemed very interested in getting everyone out of the library before I opened Claire’s letter.”
Marcus’s face hardened. “Are you accusing me of setting a fire in your own house?”
“I haven’t accused anyone yet.”
“You’re grieving and angry.”
“I stopped grieving politely about five minutes ago.”
Outside, sirens approached.
Isabella stood near the staircase with a hand over her mouth, playing the shocked hostess. William noticed a faint black smear near the hem of her gown.
“Soot?” he asked.
She looked down. “I was standing near the painting when it fell.”
“You were also standing near Charlotte when Emma found her.”
“Because I heard crying.”
Emma came back through the doorway. “Security has Charlotte.”
William turned on her. “I told you to stay with her.”
“I did until she asked for her rabbit.” Emma looked at his empty hands. “Where is it?”
William froze.
The rabbit had been on the library sofa.
They ran back.
The sofa was empty.
The window behind it was open.
Cold night air moved the curtains.
Marcus swore under his breath.
William faced him. “Who knew we were in here?”
“Half the house.”
“No. Who knew what was inside the rabbit?”
Marcus said nothing.
Outside, a security guard shouted.
William rushed to the terrace.
One of the guards was pointing toward the hedge maze.
May you like
A figure in black was running through it.
And tucked under that figure’s arm was Charlotte’s stuffed rabbit.
