Chapter 3 - The Photograph
Julian returned to the DeLuca estate just before dawn.
The ballroom had been sealed.
Every bottle had been collected.
Every guest had been questioned.
The house felt different without music.
Thomas Bell was waiting in the library.
“You wanted me, sir?”
Julian closed the door.
“Sit.”
Thomas obeyed.
Julian placed a photograph on the desk.
It showed Claire standing beside an old blue room.
She was laughing.
Her hair was loose.
Her eyes were bright.
Thomas looked at the photograph and said nothing.
“You recognize the room.”
Thomas sighed.
“Yes.”
“Why did Lily mention it?”
“I don't know.”
“You are lying.”
Thomas looked up.
“For four years, I have watched you destroy yourself searching for that woman.”
Julian stepped closer.
“And you watched.”
“I was following orders.”
“Whose?”
Thomas hesitated.
Julian put both hands on the desk.
“Whose orders?”
“The same man who ordered Claire to disappear.”
Julian went completely still.
“Name him.”
“I cannot.”
“You can.”
Thomas shook his head.
“If I tell you, more people die.”
Julian’s expression hardened.
“Then start with me.”
Thomas looked exhausted.
“There was an internal conflict four years ago.”
Julian knew.
Several men in the family had wanted him removed.
Their plan had failed.
One man had disappeared afterward.
His uncle, Vincent DeLuca.
Julian had been told Vincent died overseas.
Thomas reached into his jacket.
He placed a brass key on the desk.
“Claire gave me this the night she vanished.”
Julian stared at it.
“What does it open?”
“The blue room.”
Julian frowned.
“I told you there is no blue room.”
“There was.”
Thomas looked toward the window.
“Your father had it sealed after Claire disappeared.”
Julian’s pulse quickened.
“My father died six years ago.”
“Yes.”
“And Vincent disappeared four years ago.”
“Yes.”
Thomas leaned closer.
“Then maybe you have been searching for the wrong dead man.”
Julian turned toward the hallway.
“Where is the room?”
Thomas pointed toward the old west wing.
May you like
“Behind the library.”
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