Chapter 18 - The Last Person Arthur Suspected
Arthur returned to the mansion feeling watched by every window.
Someone inside the house had fed the conspiracy details about his schedule, habits, passwords, and temper.
The obvious suspects were gone or under guard.
But Charles had said inside your house.
Arthur gathered the remaining staff in the breakfast room.
Elena stood beside Leo.
Daniel Cho joined by video from headquarters.
Detective Collins watched silently.
Arthur placed a list on the table.
"Only six people had access to my private calendar. Only four knew the west-wing alarm codes. Only three knew Leo's therapy schedule."
His longtime estate manager, Martin Hale, shifted in his chair.
Arthur noticed.
Martin had worked for the Bennett family for twenty-two years.
He had taught Arthur how to drive.
He had held Leo at his christening.
"Martin," Arthur said.
The older man looked up. "Sir?"
"Did you know the guesthouse wasn't empty?"
"No."
Elena spoke from across the room. "That's strange."
Martin's eyes moved to her.
She continued. "You ordered me never to clean it. You said the foundation was unsafe."
"Because Mrs. Bennett told me it was."
"And the west-wing camera outage?"
"I don't manage the security software."
Collins placed a printed access log on the table.
"But your credentials did."
Martin's face changed.
Just a fraction.
Enough.
He stood suddenly.
Collins said, "Sit down."
Martin ran.
He knocked over a chair and shoved through the pantry door.
Arthur chased him into the service corridor.
Martin reached the basement stairs, but Elena came through the opposite doorway carrying a laundry basket.
She saw him coming and dropped it directly in his path.
Martin tripped over sheets and crashed into the wall.
Arthur pinned him before he could rise.
"Why?"
Martin's face twisted.
"Your father ruined Charles."
"My father protected his company."
"Your father stole control from the family and handed it to spoiled children who hadn't earned a dime."
Arthur stared at the man who had been part of his home almost his entire life.
"Leo is seven."
Martin laughed bitterly. "Exactly."
Collins cuffed him.
Then Martin looked past Arthur toward Leo, who stood at the end of the corridor with Elena.
"You think you won?"
Arthur's blood chilled.
Martin smiled.
"Charles keeps recordings of everything."
"Where?"
"You'll never find them."
Leo spoke quietly.
"I know where."
Everyone turned.
May you like
Leo pointed toward the library.
"The room under the room."
