Chapter 2 - The Photograph in the Drawer
Rachel’s first assignment was in the west gallery.
She carried trays through rooms crowded with people whose clothes cost more than her apartment. They discussed mergers, elections, summer houses, and scandals as though the rest of the world existed only to entertain them.
At the center of the gallery stood the Bennett Rose.
It rested inside a glass case on a white pedestal, surrounded by four guards and a ring of invisible motion sensors.
The brooch was smaller than Rachel expected.
Its gold petals curled around a blood-red ruby. Tiny diamonds formed leaves beneath the flower. A narrow ribbon of engraved metal extended from the stem.
She moved closer while serving a group of bankers.
Letters had been carved into the gold.
E.B. to L.B. Forever hidden, never forgotten.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
Rachel turned.
A woman in an ivory evening gown stood beside her. She was perhaps fifty-five, with carefully styled blond hair and eyes as dark as polished stone.
Rachel recognized her from newspapers.
Celeste Bennett, Victor’s younger sister.
“It’s impressive,” Rachel said.
Celeste watched the brooch.
“It has destroyed almost everyone who has owned it.”
“I thought it was a symbol of the family’s loyalty.”
“That is what Victor tells reporters.”
Celeste selected a glass of champagne from Rachel’s tray.
“My grandmother believed loyalty was another word for silence.”
Her eyes moved to Rachel’s face.
“You are Daniel Carter’s widow.”
Rachel nearly dropped the tray.
“Why does everyone here know who I am?”
“Because Daniel made the mistake of discovering something Victor wanted buried.”
“What did he discover?”
Celeste smiled faintly.
“You should ask Thomas Hale.”
The name struck Rachel like cold water.
“Thomas disappeared.”
“No. Thomas was forced to disappear.”
Celeste began walking away.
Rachel followed.
“What did Daniel discover?”
Celeste stopped beside an open doorway.
“You came here with your daughter.”
It was not a question.
Rachel’s unease deepened.
“How do you know about Emily?”
“Because half the house is already talking about her.”
“She has done nothing.”
“Children rarely need to do anything before adults decide to punish them.”
Celeste looked toward the eastern corridor.
“Take her home.”
“I’ve heard that once tonight.”
“Then perhaps you should listen.”
Rachel stepped closer.
“Tell me what is happening.”
Celeste’s controlled expression cracked for an instant.
“Victor has spent six years making certain no one asks why your husband’s car went over that cliff. Tonight, something has frightened him enough to make mistakes.”
“What?”
Celeste looked at the Bennett Rose.
“Your daughter’s face.”
Before Rachel could respond, Victor entered the gallery with Adrian and Marcus.
Celeste immediately moved away.
Victor approached Rachel.
“The service staff are not permitted to socialize with guests.”
“Your sister spoke to me.”
“My sister enjoys provoking people.”
“Why were you staring at Emily earlier?”
Victor’s expression became still.
“I was not.”
“You gave Marcus a note, and both of you looked at her.”
Marcus stepped forward.
“Return to your duties.”
Rachel ignored him.
Victor’s gaze sharpened.
“You are here because Eleanor Bell asked for a favor. Do not mistake temporary access for importance.”
“My daughter and I will leave after my shift.”
Victor leaned close enough that only Rachel could hear him.
“See that you do.”
He walked away.
Adrian lingered.
For the second time that evening, his smile appeared and disappeared before it fully formed.
Rachel returned to the kitchen, found Mrs. Bell, and explained what had happened.
Mrs. Bell listened without interrupting.
“Where is Emily?” Rachel asked.
“In the morning room.”
“I’m going to check.”
“I checked five minutes ago.”
“I need to see her.”
They found the morning room empty.
Emily’s tablet lay on a chair.
One of the tall windows stood open.
Rachel ran across the room.
“Emily!”
Mrs. Bell examined the carpet.
“She did not leave through the window. No mud.”
Rachel rushed into the corridor.
They searched the library, the music room, and the staff lounge. Rachel’s fear grew with every empty doorway.
Finally, they heard voices in a small study near the eastern staircase.
Rachel pushed the door open.
Emily stood beside a mahogany desk.
Adrian stood across from her.
In Emily’s hands was an old photograph.
Rachel crossed the room and pulled Emily back.
“What are you doing?”
“I got lost,” Emily said. “Mr. Adrian found me.”
Adrian held up both hands.
“She was looking for the bathroom.”
Rachel took the photograph.
It showed four young men standing beside the Bennett Hall fountain.
Daniel was one of them.
Thomas Hale stood beside him.
A much younger Adrian was on the opposite side.
The fourth man had been partially torn from the picture.
On the back, someone had written:
The Four Witnesses. June 14.
Rachel looked at Adrian.
“You knew Daniel.”
Adrian’s face had lost all color.
“Yes.”
“You told me you remembered him because he worked for the family.”
“He did.”
“You called him my husband before I mentioned his name.”
Adrian looked toward the doorway as if checking whether anyone was listening.
“Lock the door.”
Mrs. Bell did.
Adrian spoke quietly.
“Daniel was not an employee. Not exactly. He was part of a private investigation team hired by my grandfather before he died.”
“To investigate what?”
“My uncle.”
“Victor?”
Adrian nodded.
Emily stared at the photograph.
“Who did they tear out?”
Adrian looked at her.
“I don’t know.”
It was a lie.
Rachel saw it immediately.
She placed the photograph in her pocket.
Adrian reached for it.
“You cannot take that.”
“Watch me.”
“The photograph is not what you think.”
“What do I think?”
“That Daniel died because of the investigation.”
Rachel felt the room tilt.
“Did he?”
Adrian’s silence answered her.
A knock sounded at the door.
Marcus Reed called from the corridor.
“Mr. Bennett wants everyone in position for the unveiling.”
May you like
Adrian unlocked the door.
Before Marcus entered, Adrian whispered to Rachel, “Keep Emily with you. And whatever happens, do not let anyone search her jacket.”
