Chapter 2 - THE FINAL THIRTY SECONDS
Two Beverly Hills police officers arrived before Celeste could reach the front gate.
Adrian’s security chief, Marcus Reed, escorted them into the living room.
Celeste had changed her expression by the time they entered.
She was no longer furious.
She looked fragile.
Her shoulders shook delicately.
Her voice cracked at exactly the right moments.
“My husband is overreacting because our nanny has manipulated his daughter.”
Elena stood beside the fireplace with Sophie holding tightly to her hand.
One officer asked Elena if she needed medical attention.
Elena shook her head.
Her left wrist had already begun to swell.
“I’m okay.”
“You are not okay,” Adrian said.
He told Marcus to call the family physician.
Celeste folded her arms.
“This performance is ridiculous.”
The older police officer turned toward the television.
“Mr. Vale, you said you have footage.”
Adrian played the recording from the beginning.
Celeste watched herself remove the Rolex from the velvet box.
She watched herself hide it in Elena’s pocket.
She watched herself wait.
Then came the shove.
The younger officer took notes.
Celeste’s attorney arrived halfway through the footage.
Harold Price was one of the most expensive crisis lawyers in Los Angeles.
He entered without knocking.
“Stop the recording.”
Adrian did not look at him.
“There is more.”
The footage continued beyond the shove.
Elena remained on the floor.
Sophie screamed.
Celeste bent down as though she intended to help.
Instead, she whispered near Elena’s ear.
“You should have kept your mouth shut about the safe.”
Elena’s breathing stopped.
Harold’s face changed.
Adrian paused the video again.
“What safe?” he asked.
Elena looked toward Celeste.
Celeste’s attorney stepped between them.
“My client will not answer questions.”
Adrian turned to Elena.
“You will.”
Elena swallowed.
Three nights earlier, she had gone into Adrian’s private study to retrieve Sophie’s tablet.
The little girl had left it beside the window.
Elena had seen Celeste standing before a painting of Adrian’s late father.
The painting had been moved away from the wall.
Behind it was a steel biometric safe.
Celeste had been holding the vintage Rolex in one hand and a small electronic tool in the other.
Elena had apologized and left immediately.
She had not told anyone.
She had assumed Celeste had permission.
“I didn’t think it mattered,” Elena said.
“It matters,” Adrian replied.
Celeste shook her head.
“She is lying again.”
Adrian looked toward Marcus.
“Secure the study.”
Marcus nodded and spoke into his radio.
Harold Price lowered his voice.
“Adrian, think carefully.”
Adrian’s gaze remained fixed on Celeste.
“I am.”
The older officer removed a pair of handcuffs.
Celeste stepped backward.
“You are not arresting me.”
“You are being detained while we investigate the assault and attempted false report,” the officer said.
Celeste looked at Adrian.
“You will regret this.”
Adrian did not respond.
As the officers led her toward the door, she twisted around.
“You think your cameras protect you.”
A strange smile touched her face.
“They only show what I wanted them to show.”
Marcus returned from the hallway.
His face had lost its color.
“Mr. Vale, the safe is open.”
Adrian turned.
Marcus held out a small black case.
May you like
Inside the case was an empty space shaped like a computer drive.
Whatever had been hidden behind the painting was gone.
