Chapter 2: The Silent Witness
The phone in the Greenwich estate hummed against the marble countertop at 11:45 PM. It was a private line, one Richard Whitfield used only for his most sensitive business dealings.
Back in her small apartment, Maria was staring at the ceiling, her heart a drum of anxiety. Matteo was asleep, the stuffed rabbit clutched to his chest. In the living room, the boy’s navy jacket sat on the chair. The white corner of the business card still poked out—the one Richard had given to Matteo three weeks ago when the child had accidentally wandered into the library while Richard was home. "If you ever need a favor, kid," Richard had laughed, handing him a card with a direct line to his private office, "use this."
At the estate, Diane Sinclair walked past the kitchen, her eyes sharp. She saw the light on in the main office. She assumed it was the security guard, Miller, doing his rounds. She pushed the door open, intending to reprimand him for being in the restricted area.
Instead, she saw the silhouette of a man sitting in the leather chair. It was Richard. He had flown in early, unannounced, to finalize a merger. He was holding his phone, a strange, furrowed expression on his face.
"Richard?" Diane gasped. "I didn’t know you were back."
Richard looked up. His eyes were cold, scanning her. "Diane. Where is Maria?"
Diane froze. She had calculated that by the time Richard arrived, the "theft" would be a settled matter, and Maria would be a fading memory. "She... she was terminated today. For theft. A diamond bracelet from the safe."
Richard stood up slowly. "The bracelet. The one Caroline left behind?"
"Yes," Diane lied, her pulse racing.
"Interesting," Richard said, his voice dropping to a dangerous, low register. "Because I just received a call from a four-year-old boy. He told me he was sad because his mama was crying, and he wanted to know if he could have his toy back."
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Diane’s face drained of color. "He’s a child, Richard. He doesn’t know what he’s saying."
"He told me exactly where the bracelet is," Richard said, walking toward the window. "He said he saw a 'pretty lady' put it in a box in the office. He thought it was a game."
