Chapter 5 - the enemy inside the family
Helena left through the main door while Claire escaped through the passage.
By evening, the doctor had vanished from the estate.
Graham told everyone she had returned to the city for an emergency.
Claire knew better.
She tried calling Helena six times. Each call went directly to voicemail.
At dinner, Graham behaved as though nothing had happened.
He discussed flowers for the gala, seating arrangements and the string quartet that would perform in the atrium. Evelyn remained silent.
Arthur Vale watched his son with growing unease.
“Why the urgency?” he asked.
Graham cut into his steak.
“Evelyn deserves a celebration.”
“She does not appear to want one.”
“She has always disliked attention.”
Miriam placed her fork down.
“She has also always spoken for herself.”
Graham looked at his mother.
“You have been away from this family for many years.”
“We live forty minutes from here.”
“And yet you understand very little about Evelyn’s condition.”
Miriam’s voice sharpened.
“I understand when someone is frightened.”
Evelyn looked at her.
The two women had been friends since their twenties. Miriam had introduced Evelyn to Alexander at a university fundraiser. Their families had shared holidays, births and funerals.
Claire wondered whether Miriam knew about Alexander’s warning against Graham.
After dinner, Miriam found Claire in the conservatory.
“Graham has changed,” she said.
“When?”
“After he began working for Alexander.”
“You knew?”
“Of course. Alexander hired him after university.”
“Why did Graham claim he built Vale Strategic Holdings alone?”
Miriam gave a sad smile.
“My son has always preferred the version of history in which no one helps him.”
“Did Alexander trust him?”
“At first.”
“What changed?”
Miriam touched the leaves of a winter rose.
“Daniel accused Graham of moving money between Hartwell subsidiaries. Alexander investigated, but before he could act, he became ill.”
“He died of a heart condition.”
“That is what we were told.”
Claire studied her.
“You doubt it?”
“I doubt everything now.”
“Did Daniel speak to you before his accident?”
Miriam’s hand stilled.
“He came to our home one night. He carried a black ledger.”
“What was inside?”
“I did not see. He asked Arthur to keep it somewhere Graham could never find.”
“Did Arthur agree?”
“Yes.”
“Where is it?”
“I do not know. Arthur hid it without telling me.”
Claire looked through the glass toward the dining room.
Arthur remained at the table with Graham.
“Does Graham know the ledger exists?”
“He asked us about it after Daniel died. Arthur denied ever seeing Daniel.”
“Would he tell me where he hid it?”
Miriam’s expression became uncertain.
“Arthur’s memory has been failing.”
“Does Graham know?”
“Yes.”
Claire understood immediately.
Arthur was another vulnerable person whose testimony could be dismissed.
A door opened behind them.
Graham entered the conservatory.
“There you are, Mother.”
Miriam’s shoulders stiffened.
“Claire and I were discussing the gala.”
“How fortunate.”
He kissed Miriam’s cheek and looked at Claire.
“Evelyn needs you.”
Claire left, but before the door closed, she heard Graham say, “You should be careful which memories you encourage Arthur to revisit.”
Evelyn was waiting in her bedroom.
Rosa stood beside the wardrobe with a suitcase open on the bed.
“What is happening?” Claire asked.
“Graham ordered Rosa to leave,” Evelyn said.
“Why?”
“He claims she stole jewelry.”
Rosa’s eyes were red.
“I have served this family for thirty-one years.”
Claire looked at the open suitcase.
“You are not leaving.”
“Security will remove me.”
“Nolan?”
“No. Graham brought private guards from the city.”
Claire went to the window.
Two unfamiliar men stood beside the front entrance.
“He is replacing everyone before the gala,” Evelyn said.
“Because he knows someone is helping us.”
Rosa pressed a small key into Claire’s palm.
“The old wine cellar has a locked cabinet behind the third rack. Your father used it.”
“What is inside?”
“I never opened it.”
A knock sounded.
One of Graham’s private guards entered without waiting.
“Rosa Delgado, you need to come with me.”
Claire stepped forward.
“On whose authority?”
“Mr. Vale’s.”
“This is Mrs. Hartwell’s home.”
The guard looked at Evelyn.
“Mr. Vale said she would object.”
Evelyn lifted her chin.
“Then Mr. Vale knew he had no authority.”
The second guard appeared behind him.
Rosa hugged Evelyn quickly, then whispered something into her ear.
Claire could not hear the words.
The guards escorted Rosa from the room.
Evelyn watched until the door closed.
“What did she tell you?” Claire asked.
Evelyn’s face had gone still.
“She said your father’s accident was not an accident.”
Claire waited.
Evelyn turned toward her.
“And Graham was not the last person to see him alive.”
May you like
“Who was?”
“Arthur Vale.”
