Chapter 10 - THE GIRL NO ONE OWNED
Alexander ordered private security around Maya.
She refused.
“I will not trade one guarded house for another.”
“You are in danger because of my family.”
“I was in danger while living in your house.”
The answer silenced him.
Maya had worked at the Vale estate for eleven months.
Before that, she lived with her younger brother Daniel.
He had disappeared after accepting a security job through Grant Holloway.
Police ruled his disappearance voluntary.
Maya never believed it.
She took the maid position because the Vale estate was the last place Daniel had worked.
Her employment had never been accidental.
She was investigating Grant.
Alexander understood why she had copied financial records and listened outside doors.
“Why didn’t you tell me about Daniel?”
“Grant answered your calls.”
“And you believed I was part of it.”
“I did not know what to believe.”
Agent Ellis searched old employment files.
Daniel Bennett had been assigned to protect Rebecca during the final month of her life.
He disappeared three days after her car crash.
Grant reported that Daniel had stolen jewelry and fled.
Rebecca’s video suggested something else.
She mentioned “a young guard who agreed to take the evidence to federal investigators.”
Daniel had been helping her.
Maya closed her eyes.
Her brother had not abandoned her.
He had tried to expose the conspiracy.
A deleted security log showed Grant drove Daniel to an abandoned Vale Medical facility outside the city.
Federal teams searched the property.
They found a hidden detention room beneath the laboratory.
Inside were names carved into the wall.
One belonged to Daniel.
No body was found.
A recent food container suggested someone had been inside within days.
Maya touched the scratched letters.
“He may still be alive.”
A surveillance camera near the property captured an ambulance leaving the night Lily was rescued.
Grant’s stolen ambulance.
The vehicle traveled north toward an old Monroe campaign lodge.
Alexander wanted Maya to remain behind.
She stared at him.
“You keep saying you have changed.”
“I am trying to protect you.”
“Then stand beside me.”
He nodded.
They traveled with Agent Ellis and a tactical team.
The campaign lodge appeared empty.
Inside the basement, they found medical equipment, restraints and boxes of Vale pharmaceuticals.
A man lay behind a locked door.
Maya recognized her brother despite the beard and hollow face.
“Daniel.”
His eyes opened.
“Maya?”
She dropped beside him.
Daniel had been held for three years.
Grant kept him alive because he knew where Rebecca had sent a second copy of her evidence.
Daniel refused to reveal it.
He looked toward Alexander.
“Your wife knew she was going to die.”
Alexander knelt beside him.
“Where did she send the copy?”
Daniel’s breathing became shallow.
“To the person she trusted more than you.”
Alexander thought of Grant.
Maya thought of herself.
May you like
Then Daniel whispered a name neither expected.
“Lily.”
