Chapter 10 - Blackout

Adrian dropped to the floor.

"Maria, down!"

Emergency lights flickered red along the baseboards.

Grant rushed to the hallway while the officers secured Vanessa.

Another sound came from downstairs—not a gunshot this time, but shattering glass.

The study safe stood open.

The blue box was gone.

"Marcus," Adrian said.

Grant spoke into his radio. "Lock every gate. Nobody leaves."

The power had been cut from the old service panel in the wine cellar, a panel not connected to the new security system.

Someone knew the house from before the renovation.

Adrian followed Grant down the servants' staircase.

A window near the pantry had been broken inward. Mud marked the floor.

Then they found the injured guard.

He was conscious, clutching his shoulder. The shot had struck the wall beside him; flying stone had cut him.

"He went toward the cellar," the guard said.

Adrian and Grant moved below.

The wine cellar was empty except for an open service tunnel Adrian had forgotten existed. It dated back to the mansion's original construction and led beneath the rear garden.

At the far end, they found the blue box.

Empty.

Claire's notebook was gone.

The flash drive was gone.

But one document remained, wedged beneath the lid.

A photocopy of a life insurance amendment.

Insured: Adrian Cole.

Primary beneficiary: Oliver Cole Trust.

Contingent trustee upon Adrian's death: Vanessa Sterling, effective upon legal marriage.

The form carried Adrian's signature.

Except Adrian had never signed it.

"Forgery," he said.

Grant pointed at the witness signature.

Marcus Vale.

Adrian's phone rang.

Unknown number.

He answered.

Marcus spoke calmly.

"You always were slow when it came to family."

"Where are you?"

"Somewhere you can't reach me."

"You went after my son."

"No, Adrian. Vanessa did. I warned her not to improvise."

Adrian's voice shook with rage. "Claire knew about you."

Marcus went quiet.

Then he said, "Claire knew enough to become inconvenient."

Adrian closed his eyes.

"Did you kill her?"

Marcus chuckled once.

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"Ask Vanessa who loosened the brake line."

The call ended.