Chapter 4 - THE SEARCH
Sebastian switched off the lamp.
The apartment fell into darkness.
I heard a key slide into the lock.
Only Vivian, Grant, and the estate’s head of security had master keys.
Sebastian moved beside the door.
The moment it opened, he grabbed the intruder’s arm and pulled him inside.
It was Owen, one of Grant’s private security men.
A second guard stood in the hallway.
Sebastian released Owen but blocked the entrance.
“What are you doing here?”
Owen recovered quickly.
“Mr. Mercer authorized an inspection.”
“This is a private residence.”
“It is part of the Sterling property.”
Sebastian’s voice turned cold.
“Leave.”
Owen glanced past him at me.
“We were told Miss Hale removed confidential property from Mrs. Sterling’s vehicle.”
“What property?”
“A mobile device.”
Sebastian folded his arms.
“I have the device.”
My eyes moved toward him.
Owen looked equally surprised.
Sebastian continued.
“My father owned the vehicle when it was purchased. Anything he left inside belongs to his estate. I am executor of that estate. Tell Grant he can speak to my attorney.”
Owen hesitated, then stepped back.
“This is not finished.”
“No,” Sebastian said. “It isn’t.”
After the guards left, I locked the door.
“You lied for me.”
“You would have done the same.”
“You don’t know me.”
“I know Grant.”
Sebastian looked at the photograph of Lillian resting on the table. His face changed when he saw her.
“My sister.”
He picked it up carefully.
“I was twelve when she left. Mother told me Lillian had chosen a new life in Switzerland. Then she said Lillian died of pneumonia.”
“She died less than two hours from this estate.”
Sebastian closed his eyes.
For years, he had mourned a lie.
I showed him Richard’s letter and the copied files.
He read everything twice.
When he reached the photograph of the severed brake line, his hands tightened around the phone.
“We take this to the police.”
“Not yet.”
He looked at me sharply.
“My mother buried evidence. Grant has controlled company security for years. If we walk into a local station with copied files, he will know before we leave the building.”
“So what do you suggest?”
“We find the mechanic.”
“The letter says he disappeared.”
“Disappeared does not always mean dead.”
The next morning, the household staff gathered in the main foyer.
Vivian stood at the top of the staircase wearing a white suit. Grant stood beside her.
A police officer waited near the door.
My stomach tightened.
Vivian descended slowly.
“Nora, your room was searched this morning.”
“You had no permission.”
“I do not require permission to protect my property.”
Grant held up a velvet jewelry case.
Inside was Vivian’s emerald bracelet.
It had been discovered beneath my mattress.
Gasps moved through the staff.
I stared at the bracelet.
I had never touched it.
Vivian’s expression held more disappointment than anger, which somehow made the performance crueler.
“You have served me for three years,” she said. “I rewarded you with extraordinary trust.”
“You paid me a salary.”
“Apparently it was not enough.”
The police officer stepped forward.
Sebastian entered from the library.
“Stop.”
Grant sighed. “This does not concern you.”
“It concerns me when you plant stolen property in an employee’s room.”
Grant’s face hardened.
“Be careful.”
Sebastian held up a tablet.
“The hallway camera outside Nora’s apartment was disabled at 5:42 this morning. Unfortunately for you, the service elevator camera was not.”
He played the recording.
Owen stepped out of the elevator carrying the same velvet jewelry case.
The entire foyer went silent.
Vivian looked at Grant.
For the first time since I had known her, genuine uncertainty crossed her face.
Grant remained calm.
“A security employee acting independently does not prove anything.”
Owen, standing near the rear entrance, suddenly ran.
The police officer shouted.
Sebastian’s security team intercepted him before he reached the door.
The velvet case fell from Owen’s pocket, along with an envelope filled with cash.
Vivian stared at her nephew.
“Grant?”
He looked at her with quiet contempt.
“You really should not ask questions when you already know the answers.”
May you like
Then he turned toward me.
“And you should have stayed in the driver’s seat.”
