Chapter 6 - The Locked Study
Mara knew Nolan's study was forbidden territory; Bianca had once fired a gardener for stepping inside during a storm.
"The study is on the second floor," Mara whispered. "But the main hall has cameras everywhere."
"There's another way."
Ethan pushed open a narrow door disguised as wall paneling.
"How do you know about that?" Mara asked.
"I grew up here."
The hidden staircase smelled like dust and old wood. Ethan moved quickly, but Mara could hear the strain in his breathing.
"Your ribs hurt," she said.
"I'm fine."
"You say that as badly as I do."
He almost smiled.
They reached a panel behind a bookcase. Ethan pressed a brass latch and peered into the study.
Empty.
They slipped inside.
Nolan's office was immaculate, cold, and staged. Richard Harrow's portrait watched from above the fireplace.
Ethan went straight to the built-in safe.
"You know the code?"
"Dad's old one. Nolan changes everything except the things he thinks no one knows."
The safe opened.
Inside were cash, passports, a handgun, and three folders.
No ledger.
Ethan pulled out one folder and froze.
Mara moved beside him.
On top was a photograph of Ethan entering the Route 6 motel three months earlier.
The next photograph showed Mara arriving.
Then another showed them leaving the next morning.
Mara felt the room tilt.
"They were watching you that night?"
Ethan's face went white. "I didn't know."
"You brought them to me."
"No. I swear--"
The study door handle moved.
They killed the light and hid behind the bookcase panel.
Bianca entered with the gray-suited security chief.
"Nolan lands in forty minutes," he said.
Bianca sounded panicked. "Then we need the file before he gets here."
"What file?"
"The paternity file."
Mara felt Ethan stiffen beside her.
The security chief laughed. "You really think the maid's baby is Ethan's?"
Bianca turned on him.
"I don't think. I know."
"How?"
May you like
Bianca opened a desk drawer.
"Because I made sure they met that night."
