Chapter 3 - The Housekeeper's Secret)
Ethan drove back to Seabrook House before sunset.
He did not call Nora.
He did not call Beatrice.
He needed time to think.
Nora Bell had helped raise him.
She had made pancakes for him when his parents traveled.
She had sat beside his hospital bed when he broke his arm at thirteen.
When Julian died, Nora was the person who found Ethan sitting alone on the back terrace at three in the morning and simply sat beside him without saying anything.
The idea that she had helped Beatrice steal from his father felt impossible.
But Charles had written her name.
When Ethan entered the mansion, the entrance hall was empty.
Noah's laughter drifted from the family room.
Ethan followed it.
His son was sitting on the rug stacking wooden blocks with Nora.
Nora looked up.
The moment she saw Ethan's face, her smile vanished.
"Noah," she said gently, "why don't we find your bear?"
She handed the boy to a nanny.
When they were alone, Ethan closed the door.
"My father wrote your name."
Nora's shoulders lowered.
"I wondered when you would ask."
"Why?"
"He didn't trust me."
"Should he have?"
Nora looked wounded.
"No."
The answer surprised Ethan.
"No?"
"He shouldn't have trusted me because I failed him."
Ethan waited.
Nora sat.
"Your mother found the first envelope."
"The one you were supposed to mail."
Nora nodded.
"She saw me leaving Charles's study. She took it from my handbag."
"Why did you let her?"
"Because she told me she knew where my daughter lived."
Ethan's anger stopped.
Nora's daughter, Evelyn, had struggled with addiction for years before getting sober.
"She threatened Evelyn?"
"Not directly. Beatrice never threatens directly. She said it would be tragic if certain old arrest records appeared during Evelyn's custody hearing."
Ethan sat opposite her.
"So you gave her the envelope."
"I did."
"What was in it?"
"I didn't know."
"What happened next?"
"Your father asked whether I mailed it. I lied."
Nora looked down.
"I told him yes."
Ethan understood now.
"That's why he wrote your name."
"I think so."
"Why didn't you tell him?"
"Because I was ashamed."
Nora's voice cracked.
"Then two weeks later, your father called me into his room. He was very weak. He gave me another envelope."
"The one I got this morning."
"Yes."
"Why did Beatrice never find it?"
Nora smiled faintly.
"Because this time I hid it somewhere she would never look."
"Where?"
"In the old nursery behind the radiator panel."
Ethan almost laughed despite himself.
"My mother hates that room."
"I know."
They sat quietly.
Then Nora looked toward the door.
"Ethan, there is something you need to understand."
"What?"
"Your mother does not hate Noah because of money."
"Then why?"
Nora hesitated.
"Because of Olivia."
Ethan's jaw tightened.
"What about her?"
"Beatrice believed Olivia turned Charles against her."
"Did she?"
"No."
Nora leaned closer.
"But Olivia did discover something."
Ethan felt his pulse quicken.
"What?"
"After Julian died, your mother began moving money from the family trust. Olivia found statements in the library. She photographed them."
"Where are the photographs?"
"I don't know."
"Did Olivia tell you?"
"Only that she planned to give them to Charles."
Ethan stared toward the darkening windows.
Olivia had never mentioned any of this to him.
Why?
Then he remembered the last month of her life.
She had been distracted.
Checking doors twice.
Taking calls outside.
Once, Ethan had asked if something was wrong.
Olivia had smiled.
Just family nonsense.
He had believed her.
Nora touched his sleeve.
"There is more."
Ethan looked at her.
"Beatrice found out Olivia had copied the records."
"When?"
"Two days before Olivia went into the hospital."
A cold sensation moved through Ethan's chest.
"My wife's death was a medical emergency."
"I know."
"Are you suggesting my mother caused it?"
"No."
Nora looked frightened.
"I'm saying Olivia was afraid of her."
Ethan stood.
He suddenly needed air.
Before leaving the room, he stopped.
"Where is Beatrice?"
"Upstairs."
"With Noah?"
"No. Noah was with me all afternoon."
Ethan relaxed slightly.
Then Nora added, "But your mother received a visitor."
"Who?"
"A man I have never seen before."
"When?"
"About an hour ago."
"What did he look like?"
"Late forties. Gray suit. Black briefcase."
Ethan's phone vibrated.
A message from Rebecca.
Do not sign anything Beatrice gives you.
Ethan stared at the screen.
Another message appeared.
I found the attorney who prepared the guardianship petition.
He says Beatrice contacted him again yesterday.
Ethan slowly turned toward the staircase.
Above him, footsteps approached.
Beatrice appeared at the landing.
She was smiling.
"Ethan. Perfect timing."
May you like
In her hand was a black folder.
"I have something I need you to sign."
