Chapter 2 - The Death Everyone Accepted
Celeste Callahan had died eleven months earlier.
The official story was simple.
She had slipped from the upper balcony during a storm and fallen onto the stone terrace below. The security cameras had malfunctioned because lightning damaged the estate’s electrical system. No one witnessed the accident.
Renata had been the first person to find the body.
At the time, she was Celeste’s closest friend.
Within six months, she had moved into the mansion.
Within eight months, she was engaged to Grant.
Emma knew these facts because the household staff whispered them when they believed no one was listening.
She also knew that nearly every employee who had worked at the estate on the night of Celeste’s death had resigned or been dismissed.
Only the head groundskeeper, Mr. Elias Boone, remained.
Emma closed Lily’s notebook.
“Who told you your mother didn’t fall?”
Lily stared at the drawing.
Emma waited.
The child touched the burned-looking woman on the page.
Then she pointed toward the wall.
“Behind the mirror?” Emma asked.
Lily nodded.
“Did you see something?”
Lily shook her head.
“Did you hear something?”
Another nod.
Emma’s skin prickled.
“What did you hear?”
Lily’s lips parted, but no sound came.
The bedroom door opened without warning.
A security officer named Mason looked inside.
“Miss Vale wants Lily downstairs.”
Emma quickly placed the notebook beneath a folded blanket.
“For what?”
“A photographer is here.”
Emma checked the time.
Grant was not expected for another six hours.
“What photographer?”
Mason looked uncomfortable.
“Engagement announcement.”
Emma felt Lily shrink beside her.
Renata planned to announce her engagement publicly before Grant returned.
That seemed strange.
Grant was already engaged to her. Why the urgency?
Emma helped Lily stand.
“I’ll bring her down.”
Mason nodded and left.
Lily caught Emma’s sleeve.
Her eyes moved toward the notebook.
“I’ll keep it safe,” Emma promised.
Downstairs, the grand salon had been transformed into a glossy stage. White roses covered the fireplace mantel. A photographer adjusted lights while two assistants arranged champagne glasses on a silver tray.
Renata had changed into a fitted ivory dress.
She smiled when she saw Lily.
“There she is.”
Lily stopped walking.
Renata approached and examined her hair.
“You look like you slept in a hedge.”
Emma stepped forward.
“I can fix it.”
“I will do it myself.”
Lily backed away.
Renata caught her shoulder.
The photographer glanced over, then quickly looked down.
“Do not embarrass your father,” Renata whispered.
Emma noticed a faint red mark along Lily’s hairline.
Before she could examine it, a man entered through the glass doors leading to the garden.
Elias Boone was nearly seventy, broad-shouldered, and usually covered in soil from working outdoors. He removed his hat when he entered.
“Miss Hart,” he said. “A word.”
Renata turned sharply.
“Mr. Boone, we are in the middle of something.”
“It concerns the west greenhouse.”
“Then tell the gardeners.”
Elias looked at Emma.
“Now.”
Something in his expression made her obey.
She followed him into the corridor.
The instant they were alone, Elias handed her a small brass key.
“What is this?” Emma asked.
“A room that no longer exists.”
“That makes no sense.”
“It will.”
He glanced toward the salon.
“You’ve seen the girl’s notebook.”
Emma stiffened.
“How do you know?”
“Because her mother kept one just like it.”
Emma looked at the key.
“Did Celeste know there were cameras behind the mirrors?”
Elias’s expression tightened.
“She knew someone had installed them.”
“Who?”
“She never found out.”
“Did you tell the police?”
“I told them what I knew. Two days later, the investigator was reassigned. A week after that, every recording server in the house disappeared.”
Emma stared at him.
“Why are you telling me this now?”
“Because Miss Vale ordered the west greenhouse demolished tomorrow morning.”
“What is inside?”
Elias looked toward the ceiling, where a security camera quietly turned.
Then he leaned closer.
“Proof that Celeste did not die where they found her.”
Before Emma could ask another question, Renata appeared at the end of the hallway.
Her smile was gone.
“Mr. Boone,” she said, “you are dismissed.”
Elias turned.
“For what reason?”
“Entering the family wing without permission.”
“I’ve worked on this property for thirty-two years.”
“And now you no longer do.”
Two security officers approached behind her.
Elias looked at Emma one last time.
“Use the key before midnight.”
Renata’s eyes moved to Emma’s closed hand.
“What did he give you?”
Emma slipped the key into her pocket.
“Nothing.”
Renata smiled.
May you like
It was not a pleasant smile.
“Then you won’t mind emptying your pockets.”
