Chapter 6 - The Room Beneath the Library
Adrian wanted Emma to remain at the hospital.
Emma refused.
By noon, the doctor allowed her to leave for a few hours on the condition that she remain warm, avoid exertion, and return immediately if she felt unwell. Lily stayed under observation with a nurse and two members of Adrian’s private security team outside the room.
Adrian, Emma, Jonah, and Caleb traveled to the Vale estate.
Police officers were waiting at the gates.
Richard and Vivian had not been arrested. Jonah lacked sufficient evidence to prove they knew the account in Emma’s name was fraudulent.
They claimed Grant Mercer had advised them that Emma was stealing from Adrian.
They also claimed Emma left voluntarily.
The estate’s exterior cameras had conveniently stopped recording twenty minutes before she was forced outside.
Vivian met them in the entrance hall.
Her face was pale, but her posture remained rigid.
“You brought federal officers into our home.”
Adrian removed his coat.
“This is not your home anymore.”
Richard emerged from the drawing room.
“You cannot remove us from property owned by the Vale trust.”
Adrian handed him a document.
“I dissolved the occupancy agreement at 6:10 this morning.”
“You had no authority.”
“I am the trust’s primary beneficiary and acting chairman.”
Richard looked toward Grant, who stood near the staircase.
The family attorney appeared perfectly calm.
“This emotional response will damage your position, Adrian.”
“My wife and daughter nearly died.”
“Emma chose to leave.”
Adrian stepped closer.
“She was denied transportation, deprived of her phone, and sent into a blizzard with an infant.”
Grant adjusted his cuff.
“That is her description.”
“It is also on your office recording.”
For the first time, Grant’s expression shifted.
Emma noticed.
It was small, but unmistakable.
Fear.
Jonah raised a sealed evidence bag containing the memory card.
“We have copies.”
Grant recovered quickly.
“Private recordings are not automatically admissible.”
“They are when they document financial fraud,” Jonah said.
While officers supervised Richard and Vivian, Emma led Adrian to the library.
The brass key fit a narrow lock behind the lowest shelf.
A section of floor released with a soft click.
Beneath it was a staircase.
The air below smelled of dust, paper, and old metal.
Adrian turned on his flashlight.
The stairs ended at a steel door.
Emma inserted the key.
Before she could turn it, Jonah stopped her.
“Let me go first.”
The note flashed through Emma’s mind.
Do not trust the man who brings you there.
Jonah had brought them.
She withdrew the key.
“No.”
Adrian looked at her.
“What is it?”
Emma showed him the note.
Jonah read the final line.
His face revealed nothing.
“That could refer to Grant.”
“Grant did not bring us here,” Emma said.
Jonah slowly raised his hands.
“Then you should not trust me.”
Caleb glanced between them.
Adrian stepped in front of Emma.
“Explain.”
Jonah looked toward the steel door.
“Thomas Hart contacted me fourteen months ago.”
Emma stared at him.
“You knew he was alive?”
“I received encrypted messages from someone claiming to be him.”
“And you said nothing?”
“He provided evidence of a laundering network connected to the Vale family. He warned me that contacting you would put you in danger.”
“You let me believe my father was dead.”
“I did not know whether the messages were real.”
Emma’s voice rose.
“You had his signature.”
“The messages stopped six months ago.”
“Why?”
Jonah looked at the door again.
“Because he told me Grant had found him.”
May you like
A metallic sound came from the other side.
Someone was inside the room.
