Chapter 4 - REBECCA’S KEY
Alexander pulled his jacket over Maya’s mouth.
“Stay low.”
The gas carried a bitter chemical odor.
Maya pointed toward a drain beneath the generator.
A narrow maintenance hatch ran under the machines.
Alexander tore away the metal cover.
They crawled into the passage as the room filled with vapor.
The tunnel was barely large enough for their shoulders.
Maya moved ahead, guiding them with the light from the backup terminal’s removable battery.
After twenty yards, the tunnel divided.
One passage led toward the garage.
The other sloped beneath the kitchen.
Maya removed the brass key from her apron.
“Rebecca marked it with your family symbol.”
Alexander examined the carved V.
His wife had designed private safety boxes after discovering someone had accessed Lily’s trust documents.
Two weeks before Rebecca died, she told Alexander that someone inside the estate was watching her.
He had dismissed her concern.
Grant claimed grief and exhaustion had made her paranoid.
A month later, Rebecca’s car drove through a barrier and plunged into the river.
Police ruled it an accident.
Alexander had accepted the report because accepting it hurt less than questioning everyone he trusted.
The tunnel opened into a narrow chamber beneath the hidden stone room.
A blue metal box sat inside a wall compartment.
The brass key fitted perfectly.
Alexander opened it.
Inside were bank records, photographs and a small video camera.
The first photograph showed Rebecca meeting with a private investigator.
The second showed Grant exchanging an envelope with Celeste’s father, Senator Conrad Monroe.
The third showed Rebecca’s damaged car inside the Vale estate garage three days before her death.
Someone had altered the brakes before the accident.
Maya covered her mouth.
Alexander inserted the camera’s memory card into the portable screen.
Rebecca appeared.
Her face was pale.
“If you are watching this, I was right about Grant.”
Alexander’s hands began shaking.
Rebecca explained that Grant had been stealing from Vale companies for years.
He used Senator Monroe’s political connections to conceal illegal medical-testing contracts.
Celeste became involved after learning that Lily would inherit Rebecca’s controlling shares when she turned eighteen.
Rebecca planned to expose them.
Grant discovered her investigation.
“He has convinced Alexander that I am unstable.”
Rebecca looked directly into the camera.
“If something happens to me, protect Lily.”
A noise echoed above them.
Someone entered the stone room.
Through a narrow ventilation opening, Alexander saw Grant walking with Celeste.
Lily was between them.
Her wrists were bound with a silk scarf.
“Daddy will come for me,” she said.
Grant crouched beside her.
“That is exactly what we need him to do.”
Celeste held up a document.
Alexander recognized the Vale family trust amendment.
His signature line remained blank.
“Once he signs this,” Celeste said, “you may do whatever you want with him.”
May you like
Grant looked toward the floor beneath which Alexander was hiding.
“I already have.”
