Chapter 4 - The Letter Lydia Never Sent
Inside the envelope was a brass key and a single sheet of paper.
Elena recognized Aunt Lydia’s handwriting immediately.
My dearest Elena,
If you are reading this, then someone has finally connected Claire to Ashbourne Tower.
Do not trust the story the Mercer family tells you about her. Do not trust the date of her death. Most importantly, do not let Adrian control the condo.
The property is not valuable because of its location. It is valuable because of what Claire hid inside it.
I promised her I would tell you only if she failed to return.
I broke that promise because I was afraid.
Forgive me.
The brass key opens box 417 at North River Trust.
Go alone.
Do not tell Adrian.
Elena read the letter twice.
The final line had been written with more pressure than the rest.
If Maya comes to you, listen carefully, but do not give her everything.
Adrian tried to take the letter.
Elena pulled it away.
“What did Lydia write?”
“Nothing concerning you.”
“Claire manipulated your aunt.”
“You said Claire was only an employee.”
“She worked for several companies connected to us.”
“You also said the photograph was fake.”
“It is.”
“Then why are you explaining Claire’s relationship with my aunt?”
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
Maya leaned over Elena’s shoulder, but Elena folded the letter before she could read it.
Maya noticed the movement.
“What else did Lydia say?”
“That I should visit a bank.”
Adrian blocked the front door.
“You are not going anywhere until we settle this.”
Elena stared at him.
“Move.”
“You are my wife.”
“That is not permission to imprison me.”
For several seconds, none of them spoke.
Then the elevator doors opened again.
Mr. Bell, the building manager, stepped out with two security guards.
“Mrs. Mercer?” he called.
Adrian moved away from the door.
Elena opened it.
Mr. Bell looked from her to Adrian.
“The emergency signal from your unit was activated.”
“I did not press it.”
“The system registered a forced-entry warning.”
Adrian smiled.
“Technical error. I used my key.”
Mr. Bell checked the tablet in his hand.
“Your key is not registered for this unit.”
Elena felt relief spread through her.
“I want him removed.”
Adrian’s smile vanished.
“Elena.”
“You entered without permission. Leave.”
The security guards stepped forward.
Adrian looked around the condo as though memorizing every detail.
Then he pointed at Maya.
“She is trespassing too.”
“Elena invited me,” Maya said.
Mr. Bell gestured toward the hallway.
“Mr. Mercer, please come with us.”
Adrian collected the blue folder.
Before leaving, he leaned toward Elena.
“You believe you have found a secret that will protect you.”
“I found a reason not to trust you.”
“No. You found a reason Claire wanted you frightened.”
He left with security.
Maya waited until the elevator doors closed.
“We need to go to the bank.”
Elena folded Lydia’s letter and placed it inside her purse.
“I need to go to the bank.”
“You cannot do this alone.”
“My aunt specifically said I should.”
Maya’s eyes narrowed.
“Did she say something about me?”
Elena did not answer.
Maya laughed without humor.
“Of course she did.”
“What does that mean?”
“Lydia never trusted anyone after Claire disappeared.”
“Should she have trusted you?”
“I was the only person who believed her.”
“You also waited eight years.”
“I survived eight years.”
The difference in Maya’s tone stopped Elena from replying.
Maya walked to the window and watched Adrian’s car leave the building.
“There is something you need to understand,” she said. “Adrian is not trying to buy your condo. He is trying to remove your legal right to enter it.”
“Why?”
“Because if Claire hid evidence here, ownership gives you control over what happens to it.”
“And if Adrian owns it?”
“He can renovate, empty or demolish every wall without your permission.”
Elena looked around the familiar rooms.
The walls had been repainted after Lydia’s death. The flooring in the guest room had been replaced. Adrian had supervised both projects, insisting Elena should not have to manage the work while grieving.
“What kind of evidence did Claire hide?”
Maya looked toward the bookshelf.
“Something large enough to frighten Celeste.”
Elena touched the brass key in her purse.
North River Trust closed at five.
It was almost three.
She collected the torn photograph from the sink.
“Stay here,” she told Maya.
Maya followed her to the door.
“Elena, wait.”
“My aunt told me to go alone.”
“And you are going to trust a letter that arrived inside an empty elevator?”
“No.”
May you like
Elena looked up at the blinking security camera.
“I am going to find out who wanted me to receive it today.”
