Chapter 5 - Eight Months Earlier
Adrian took his mother into the library.
Clara remained with her because Evelyn refused to let go of her hand.
Vanessa was kept in the ballroom with security while police interviewed Calvin.
The library doors closed.
For the first time all evening, the noise disappeared.
Adrian poured his mother a glass of water.
“You told me you slipped.”
Evelyn looked down.
“I told you what everyone told me happened.”
“You didn’t remember?”
“No.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You were in Singapore when I woke up.”
“I came home immediately.”
“Yes.”
Evelyn’s voice trembled.
“And Vanessa never left my hospital room.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
Clara sat quietly beside the wheelchair.
Evelyn continued.
“She answered questions for me.”
“She told doctors I was confused.”
“She told you I had become forgetful.”
Adrian closed his eyes for one painful second.
Clara understood.
Vanessa had not merely convinced strangers that Evelyn’s memory was failing.
She had convinced Evelyn’s own son.
“I believed her,” Adrian whispered.
Evelyn reached for him.
“You were scared.”
“That doesn’t excuse it.”
“No.”
“But it explains it.”
Adrian knelt beside her chair.
“Tell me everything you remember.”
Evelyn took a breath.
“I was at the country house.”
“Vanessa arrived around noon.”
“She said your flight had been delayed and that you wanted me to review some foundation papers.”
Adrian shook his head.
“I never sent anything.”
“I know that now.”
Evelyn looked toward Clara.
“I refused to sign.”
“What happened next?”
“She became angry.”
Evelyn’s fingers shook.
“She followed me into the hallway.”
“I remember reaching the top of the library steps.”
“I remember her saying I was standing between her and the future.”
Adrian’s eyes darkened.
“And then?”
“Nothing.”
“Until the hospital.”
The room fell silent.
Clara finally spoke.
“Did anyone else see Vanessa there?”
Evelyn hesitated.
“A groundskeeper.”
“Name?”
“Samuel Brooks.”
Adrian stood.
“I know Samuel.”
“He resigned after the accident.”
Evelyn stared at him.
“No.”
Adrian looked confused.
“You told me he resigned.”
“I never said that.”
Adrian slowly understood.
“Vanessa did.”
Clara’s skin prickled.
Another piece.
Another lie.
Adrian called Marcus.
“Find Samuel Brooks.”
Marcus answered immediately.
“I’ll start now.”
“And pull every personnel record from the country estate.”
Adrian looked toward the library door.
“Especially anything Vanessa signed.”
Evelyn suddenly remembered something.
“Wait.”
She reached into the side pocket of her wheelchair.
Her fingers searched beneath a folded handkerchief.
Then she withdrew a tiny brass key.
Adrian frowned.
“What is that?”
“I found it sewn into my coat after the accident.”
Clara leaned closer.
“Do you know what it opens?”
Evelyn nodded slowly.
“A box in my bedroom at the country house.”
Adrian looked surprised.
“What box?”
“One your father gave me before he died.”
“What’s inside?”
Evelyn’s expression became unsettled.
“I don’t know.”
“I forgot the box existed until this afternoon.”
“Then why did you bring the key?”
Evelyn looked toward the closed library door.
“Because Vanessa asked me where it was.”
Adrian stared.
“When?”
“Three days ago.”
Clara’s pulse quickened.
Vanessa had been searching for something long before tonight’s gala.
Something connected to Evelyn.
Something hidden at the country estate.
Adrian took the key.
“Then we go there tonight.”
A knock interrupted him.
Daniel entered.
His face was grim.
“We have another problem.”
Adrian stood.
“What happened?”
“Calvin Reed agreed to cooperate.”
“That sounds like good news.”
“It would be.”
Daniel looked toward Evelyn.
“Except someone just transferred two hundred thousand dollars into his account.”
Adrian frowned.
“When?”
Daniel swallowed.
“Six minutes ago.”
Clara felt the room turn cold.
Whoever was behind Vanessa’s plan was still moving money.
Still watching.
Still trying to control the story.
And Vanessa Sterling was currently standing downstairs without access to her phone.
May you like
Which meant she was not working alone.
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