Chapter 9 - where the angels listened
Julian did not bring Mary Jane to Saint Orison’s Chapel.
He intended to leave her at Ashford House under police protection, but Mary Jane refused.
“Mrs. Dallow disappeared because she helped me.”
“That is not your fault.”
“It will be if we leave her there.”
“We do not know if she is at the chapel.”
“We do not know anything because everyone keeps deciding I should not hear it.”
Julian had no answer.
After a tense discussion with Daniel and the lead detective, they formed a controlled plan. Officers would travel separately. Mary Jane would remain in an armored vehicle unless the location was secured.
Victoria learned of the photograph before they departed.
She stood at the top of the staircase in a dark coat, watched by two officers.
“Saint Orison’s has been empty for decades,” she said.
Julian looked up.
“How do you know where we are going?”
Victoria smiled faintly.
“You just confirmed it.”
Daniel cursed beneath his breath.
Victoria descended one step.
“Do not take Mary Jane there.”
“Concern does not suit you.”
“I am not concerned for her.”
“Then why warn me?”
“Because Adrian does not leave witnesses.”
Mary Jane appeared behind Julian.
“Who is Adrian?”
Victoria’s smile disappeared.
Julian stepped between them.
“Is Adrian Vale alive?”
Victoria looked toward the police officers.
“My brother died fourteen years ago.”
“The company receiving my estate is A.V. Holdings.”
“Many names have those initials.”
“The man on the recording called you by name.”
Victoria said nothing.
Julian approached the staircase.
“If Mrs. Dallow is harmed, every detail of those recordings becomes public before sunset.”
“You believe publicity protects people.”
“It protects secrets from being buried.”
Victoria’s gaze moved to Mary Jane.
“Eleanor believed the same thing.”
Julian turned away before anger controlled him.
The journey north took three hours.
Snow began falling as the road climbed into the mountains. They crossed four red bridges before the chapel appeared among the trees.
Mary Jane leaned toward the vehicle window.
“This is it.”
The ruined building stood behind a collapsed stone wall. Blue stained-glass windows survived beneath a roof blackened by the old fire.
Police searched the grounds.
No one was inside.
There was no sign of Mrs. Dallow.
Julian entered with Mary Jane and Daniel.
At the front of the chapel, a stone angel watched over the cracked altar. Its left hand was missing.
Mary Jane walked toward it.
“My mother told me angels hear what people are afraid to say.”
She reached into the hollow space beneath the broken wrist.
Her fingers found a metal latch.
Part of the altar opened.
Inside was a small blue ledger, three sealed envelopes, and an antique music box.
Julian opened the ledger.
It documented payments made through A.V. Holdings for more than twenty years. Judges, doctors, attorneys, and guardians had received money shortly before vulnerable heirs lost control of their property.
The payments connected the Vale family to all eleven cases from Thomas’s hidden office.
The final pages concerned Mary Jane.
Her mother had written detailed notes.
Thomas has agreed to amend the founder’s trust. Julian will become Mary Jane’s protector. If anything happens to both of us, the ledger must reach him before the wedding agreement is signed.
Julian read the next line.
The person directing Victoria is not Conrad Vale.
The chapel door slammed behind them.
Daniel reached for his weapon.
A speaker hidden near the altar crackled to life.
The distorted voice from Mary Jane’s recording filled the chapel.
“Put the ledger inside the black case.”
A case lay near the entrance.
Julian pulled Mary Jane behind him.
“Where is Mrs. Dallow?”
A light appeared in the balcony above.
Mrs. Dallow sat tied to a chair, frightened but visibly unharmed.
A figure stood behind her in a dark coat and mask.
“One ledger for one housekeeper,” the voice said.
Daniel quietly signaled the officers outside.
The figure noticed.
A red light blinked near Mrs. Dallow’s chair.
“Any police movement and the balcony doors lock permanently.”
Julian looked at the old woman.
Mrs. Dallow shook her head.
“Do not give it to him.”
The masked figure leaned closer to her.
Julian placed the blue ledger inside the black case.
Then Mary Jane took the antique music box from the altar and began turning its handle.
A fragile melody echoed through the chapel.
The masked man froze.
Mary Jane looked toward the balcony.
“My mother said only one person was afraid of this song.”
The man stepped backward.
Daniel saw his chance.
He fired at the balcony light, shattering it.
Police rushed through both side entrances.
Julian carried Mary Jane behind the stone altar while officers climbed the stairs.
A door crashed open above.
Footsteps fled across the roof.
Mrs. Dallow was rescued.
The masked man escaped into the mountains.
The black case remained near the entrance.
May you like
But when Julian opened it, the blue ledger was gone.
In its place lay Elias Mercer’s bloodstained glasses.
