Chapter 4 - The Woman Who Knew the Code
Natalie checked every door.
Locked.
Every window.
Locked.
The security system showed no breach.
She called the estate manager whose number was saved inside the study.
A woman named Evelyn answered.
“Ms. Hayes?”
“Yes. Someone entered the house.”
Evelyn paused.
“Are you certain?”
“The cedar box was opened.”
Another pause.
“Did you read the document?”
“No.”
Evelyn exhaled.
“That may be fortunate.”
Natalie frowned.
“Why?”
“I was told never to discuss your grandmother's affairs unless you contacted me first.”
“Who told you?”
“Your grandmother.”
Natalie sat down.
“Evelyn, I need answers.”
“You will get them.”
“Now.”
Evelyn hesitated.
“Your grandmother believed your father was making a serious mistake.”
“What mistake?”
“She didn't say.”
Natalie closed her eyes.
“What was the house for?”
Evelyn answered quietly.
“It was intended to be your home.”
“For me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I don't know.”
Natalie stared at the empty desk.
“Someone took the document.”
Evelyn's voice sharpened.
“Then you need to leave the study immediately.”
“Why?”
“Because there may be another copy.”
Natalie looked around.
“Where?”
Evelyn whispered,
“Behind the fireplace.”
Natalie turned.
She removed the framed photograph above the fireplace.
A small metal panel was hidden behind it.
Her grandmother had left another envelope.
This one was sealed.
On the front were six words.
For Natalie only. No one else.
Natalie opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
Her father.
Cynthia.
And a man Natalie had never seen before.
On the back was a date.
Three years before her grandmother died.
Natalie stared at the stranger.
Then she recognized him.
He was standing beside Daniel in an old newspaper photograph.
The headline had been about the Hayes family business.
Natalie's stomach tightened.
May you like
Her grandmother had been investigating something.
And whatever it was, it had started long before Cynthia threw dinner onto the floor.
