Chapter 4 - Someone Was Watching
Adrian moved Maria and Oliver into a private hospital suite and stationed two guards outside.
"Nobody comes in without my approval," he told them.
Maria studied the threatening photo on her phone. "Whoever sent this is close."
Adrian looked toward the window and pulled the curtain shut.
"Then they made a mistake."
"What mistake?"
"They told us they're scared."
By dawn, Marcus Vale's phone was off, his apartment was empty, and his company car had been found in a parking garage near the river.
Vanessa insisted she knew nothing.
She sat in Adrian's study with an attorney she had somehow called before sunrise.
"You can't keep me here," she said.
"I'm not keeping you anywhere," Adrian replied. "I'm keeping you away from my son."
"You believe the nanny over the woman you're supposed to marry?"
"I believe a deleted security file and a missing CFO."
Vanessa's jaw tightened.
Then Grant entered holding a clear evidence pouch.
Inside was a brass key.
"We found this in the security office."
Adrian recognized it. "Emergency override key."
Grant nodded. "Only three copies exist. Mine is accounted for. Yours is in your safe. The third was issued to the estate manager."
"Henderson?"
"He says his disappeared last month."
Vanessa smirked. "So now the elderly estate manager is part of your conspiracy?"
Grant ignored her. "There's something else. We pulled dust prints from the security console. Marcus used the terminal. But he wasn't alone."
He placed a photograph on the desk.
A partial fingerprint had been recovered from the deletion confirmation key.
It belonged to Vanessa.
Her attorney leaned forward. "A fingerprint proves she touched a keyboard in a house where she lives. Nothing more."
"True," Grant said. "But the lab also found fresh burgundy fabric fibers caught beneath the desk drawer."
The same color as Vanessa's dress.
Adrian looked at her.
"You weren't on that balcony the whole time, were you?"
Vanessa's expression barely changed.
But then her eyes drifted toward the fireplace.
Adrian followed her gaze.
There, half-hidden among cold ashes, was the blackened corner of an envelope.
He reached in with fireplace tongs.
Only four words were still readable.
May you like
IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO ME—
The handwriting belonged to Claire.
