Chapter 4 - Three Weeks Away
The opportunity came sooner than Victor expected.
Elara’s company sent her to Chicago to manage a major campaign that had entered crisis. She would be away for three weeks.
She mentioned the trip only to a few colleagues and Amelia Grant.
She did not tell her family.
Victor learned anyway.
On Elara’s second night away, Chloe sent her a message.
Are you in Chicago?
Elara stared at the screen before replying.
Why?
Mom said she saw something online.
There was no public post announcing the trip.
Elara called the building manager the next morning.
“Has anyone asked about my schedule?”
The manager hesitated.
“Your father came by yesterday.”
“What did he want?”
“He said you had asked him to inspect a leak.”
“There is no leak.”
“He never entered. I told him I needed your written authorization.”
“Did he become angry?”
“He said he owned the building.”
Technically, Victor’s company managed the majority of the property, but Silas’s trust agreement gave Elara complete control over apartment 5A and guaranteed her access through the shared hallway.
Victor could not enter her unit or alter its locks.
Elara called Amelia.
“He’s testing the boundaries,” the attorney said.
“What should I do?”
“Return home.”
“No.”
Amelia was silent.
Elara looked through the hotel window at the buildings below.
“If I return every time he circles the apartment, he’ll just wait for another opportunity.”
“You think he’ll do something while you’re gone?”
“I think Grandpa did.”
Amelia understood.
“You want to let him move.”
“I want to know how far he’s willing to go.”
They reviewed the legal security system Silas had installed. The cameras covered Elara’s private entrance, the inside foyer, and the section of hallway legally included in the unit’s protected access area.
The system had been disclosed in the building’s security documentation, but Victor had never read it.
Elara activated remote alerts.
During the first week, nothing happened.
Then Marianne called.
“We’re worried about you,” she said.
“Why?”
“You’ve been distant.”
“I’m working.”
“Where are you staying?”
Elara smiled without humor.
“You already know I’m in Chicago.”
Marianne paused.
“Your sister saw a photo.”
“What photo?”
“I don’t remember.”
“Then ask her.”
Marianne quickly changed the subject.
“Have you considered what your father suggested?”
“No.”
“Chloe could lose everything.”
“She doesn’t own anything.”
“She could lose her reputation.”
“That may be what happens when you lie to investors.”
Marianne’s tone hardened.
“You’ve always been jealous of her.”
Elara nearly laughed.
“Is that what you tell yourselves?”
“You resent that she needs us.”
“No, Mom. I resent that you taught her needing you was easier than becoming responsible.”
Marianne ended the call.
The following day, Elara received a camera alert.
Victor stood outside apartment 5A with a man in a building-maintenance uniform.
The audio was clear.
“My daughter reported electrical problems,” Victor said.
The worker checked his tablet.
“I don’t have a work request.”
“She called the central office.”
“I’ll need permission from the unit owner.”
“I’m her father.”
“That isn’t permission.”
Victor left after five minutes.
Two days later, Marianne appeared carrying an envelope. She slid it beneath the door.
Inside was a letter asking Elara to reconsider helping Chloe.
Elara watched the recording but did not respond.
Then, on the final Monday of her trip, a new alert arrived.
Victor, Marianne, and Chloe stood outside 5A with a real-estate agent.
Chloe held up photographs of the living room on her phone.
“How did she get those?” Amelia asked when Elara forwarded the footage.
Elara enlarged the image.
“They’re old family photos taken before Grandpa moved out.”
The agent asked whether the apartment would be empty at closing.
Victor replied, “My daughter no longer lives here.”
That was the moment Elara understood the plan was no longer theoretical.
They were preparing to sell her home.
She changed her flight and returned one day early.
But she did not go directly to apartment 5A.
First, she met Amelia.
May you like
Then she called the police.
Finally, she waited for her family to make the move they believed no one would see.
