Chapter 9 - THE INVITATION LEAH COULD NOT REFUSE
The security cameras showed no one entering Nora’s house.
The photograph appeared to have been printed inside the building.
Theo found a portable printer hidden behind a wall panel and a narrow service passage connecting the attic to an abandoned caretaker’s cottage.
Someone had prepared the passage long before Leah arrived.
Nora examined the construction plans.
“My husband built this house thirty years ago. I never knew that corridor existed.”
“Charles did,” Rosa said.
Nora looked at her.
“This was one of his safe properties.”
The revelation changed everything.
Nora’s country house was not independent of the Hale family. Charles had financed it through a hidden company.
Even Nora had been living inside part of his system.
They moved Leah and Ellie again.
This time, Evan chose a secure floor at Hale Meridian’s headquarters.
No one could access it without passing Theo’s guards and two independent identity checks.
Leah still did not feel safe.
Sabrina sent a message that afternoon.
It contained a video.
A woman sat in a dim room with her hands bound in front of her.
Leah recognized Nora’s assistant, Claire.
Claire had left the country house an hour earlier to deliver evidence to federal investigators.
Sabrina’s voice played from behind the camera.
“The original DNA report and Evelyn’s recording will be exchanged for Claire at the mansion tomorrow. Leah comes alone.”
Evan watched the video twice.
“You are not going.”
“If we involve police before we know where Claire is, Sabrina may move her.”
“The mansion is the only location in the message.”
“She wants us to believe Claire is there.”
Theo examined the file.
“The video metadata has been removed, but the sound may help.”
A faint bell rang in the background every thirty seconds.
Rosa recognized it.
“The old service elevator beneath the mansion.”
Evan looked at her.
“The hidden room?”
“Near it.”
Leah turned toward him.
“This is our opportunity.”
“No.”
“She wants the recording. We bring a copy.”
“You heard her. She wants you alone.”
“And she believes you will be distracted by the wedding.”
Evan paced toward the window.
“The ceremony can be delayed.”
“Then Sabrina knows we aren’t following her plan.”
Ellie sat silently on the couch.
Leah noticed that Captain Bun was missing.
“Where is your rabbit?”
“In my room.”
Leah checked.
The toy was not there.
Ellie had placed it inside Theo’s equipment case.
When Leah returned, Ellie looked guilty but determined.
“I want Captain Bun to go to the mansion.”
“You are not going with him.”
“I know.”
The answer came too quickly.
Leah crouched before her.
“You will remain here with Nora and two guards.”
“Okay.”
“You will not hide in a car.”
“Okay.”
“You will not follow anyone.”
“Okay.”
“Ellie.”
“I said okay.”
Evan sat beside her.
“Your mother and I need to know you are safe.”
“Then don’t go.”
The adults became quiet.
Ellie looked between them.
“You keep telling me danger is too serious for me, but then you walk into it.”
Leah took her hands.
“We are trying to end it.”
“What if Sabrina hurts you?”
“She won’t get the chance.”
Ellie looked at Evan.
“Promise you’ll bring Mom back.”
Evan did not give the careless promise she expected.
“I promise I will do everything possible to protect her.”
Ellie frowned.
“That sounds like a business answer.”
“It’s an honest one.”
She considered this and nodded.
The following morning, the Hale mansion filled with flowers, musicians, caterers, and nearly two hundred carefully selected guests.
Sabrina arrived in a white dress before noon.
Evan entered through the front gates at one.
Leah was concealed in a service vehicle with Theo.
The plan had four parts.
Theo would locate Claire.
Rosa and Nora would enter the hidden room.
Leah would meet Sabrina with a false copy of the recording.
Evan would keep Daniel and the board inside the ballroom until the evidence was filed.
At one thirty, a security guard discovered Captain Bun inside the equipment case.
He returned the rabbit to Ellie’s room at Hale Meridian.
At least, that was what he reported.
No one noticed the small figure leaving the service elevator ten minutes later, wearing a catering jacket and holding the rabbit beneath one arm.
May you like
Ellie reached the mansion before Leah did.
And Sabrina was waiting for her.
