Chapter 3 - The Secret Hidden in Her Mother’s Past
Marin and Posie were moved into a secured guest suite on the mansion’s second floor.
Marin did not sleep.
At three in the morning, she found Casper alone in his library, studying Delphine’s photographs.
“You knew I was coming,” she said.
“I heard you outside the door.”
“You could have said something.”
“You could have knocked.”
She entered and placed one photograph on his desk.
It showed Marin visiting her mother’s grave.
“This was taken six months ago.”
Casper examined it.
“There’s a man in the background.”
Marin had noticed him too. Tall, gray-haired, wearing an expensive coat.
“I don’t know him.”
Casper pulled another photograph from the envelope.
“The same man is outside your apartment here.”
Marin leaned closer.
“Who is he?”
“Councilman Soren Vale.”
The man who had stood on the western balcony during the poisoned toast.
Marin sat down slowly.
“Why would a councilman follow me?”
Casper picked up a file Roman had delivered.
“Your mother’s name was Evelyn Whitlock?”
“Yes.”
“What did she do before she became ill?”
“She worked as an accountant.”
“For whom?”
“Different companies. She didn’t talk about work.”
Casper slid the file toward her.
“For seven years, she worked for Vale Development.”
Marin looked at the documents.
“That doesn’t make sense. She told me she worked for a small property firm.”
“Vale Development was used to move money through construction projects. My father investigated it twelve years ago.”
“Your father was a criminal.”
“So was Soren Vale. The difference is my father never pretended to be a public servant.”
Marin pushed the file away.
“What does this have to do with me?”
“Your mother discovered that Vale was stealing from several organizations, including mine. Millions disappeared.”
“Then why wasn’t she killed?”
Casper’s silence gave her the answer.
Marin stood.
“My mother died of cancer.”
“That is what the records say.”
“She was sick for two years. I watched her.”
“I’m not claiming she was murdered.”
“Then what are you saying?”
“She may have kept evidence.”
Marin’s anger faltered.
“My mother would never involve us in something like this.”
“Perhaps she was trying to protect you.”
“By lying to me?”
Casper looked at her steadily.
“People lie most often when the truth could destroy someone they love.”
The door opened, and Posie entered wearing a robe.
“Marin?”
“You should be asleep.”
“I woke up and you were gone.”
Her eyes settled on the file.
“What is that?”
“Nothing.”
Posie frowned.
“Stop doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“Deciding I’m too fragile to hear the truth.”
Casper rose.
“I’ll give you privacy.”
“No,” Posie said. “Stay. She’ll tell me less if you leave.”
Despite himself, Casper almost smiled.
Marin sighed.
“Mom worked for Councilman Vale.”
Posie’s expression changed.
“I know.”
Marin stared at her.
“What?”
“Mom told me.”
“When?”
“Near the end.”
Anger flashed through Marin.
“You were thirteen.”
“She asked me not to tell you.”
“And you listened?”
“She said you were already carrying too much.”
“What exactly did she tell you?”
Posie sat down.
“She said she found something dangerous at work. She made copies because she was afraid her boss would blame her for missing money.”
Casper asked, “Where did she put them?”
“I don’t know. She said the truth was hidden where her girls would always remember how much she loved them.”
Marin shook her head.
“That could mean anything.”
Posie looked at her.
“What about the music box?”
Their mother had owned a wooden music box painted with two girls beneath a blue umbrella. After her death, Marin had packed it away with the few possessions they had kept.
“It’s in our apartment,” Marin said.
Casper immediately called Roman.
No one answered.
He called again.
Still nothing.
Then the mansion’s alarms sounded.
A gunshot cracked somewhere downstairs.
Casper drew a pistol from beneath his jacket.
“Stay here. Lock the door.”
Marin grabbed his arm.
“Roman went to our apartment, didn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“Then Delphine knows about the music box too.”
Another shot echoed through the corridor.
Casper pulled Marin and Posie behind the heavy desk as the library door burst open.
A masked man entered with a gun.
Casper fired first.
The attacker dropped behind a chair and shot toward the desk. Wood splintered inches above Posie’s head.
Marin covered her sister with her body.
Casper moved along the shelves, fired twice and struck the attacker in the shoulder.
The masked man collapsed.
Footsteps thundered in the hallway.
Casper aimed at the door until Hollis appeared with two guards.
“The east wing is secure,” she said. “Three intruders entered through the service tunnel.”
Casper looked at her.
“What service tunnel?”
Hollis hesitated.
“The one beneath the original wine cellar.”
“You told me it had been sealed.”
“I believed it had.”
Casper’s eyes narrowed.
“Who else knew about it?”
“Your uncle Gideon.”
Marin helped Posie stand.
“Then Gideon helped Delphine escape.”
Casper pulled the attacker’s mask away.
The injured man smiled through the pain.
“You’re too late.”
Casper pressed the pistol against his chest.
“Where is Roman?”
The man laughed.
“Ask the councilman.”
Casper’s phone rang.
Roman’s name appeared on the screen.
Casper answered.
There was silence.
Then Delphine’s voice spoke.
“Good evening, darling.”
Casper’s face became unreadable.
“Where is Roman?”
“Alive for now.”
“What do you want?”
“The maid and the music box.”
Marin’s breath stopped.
Delphine continued.
“Bring both to the old Vale Theater before sunrise. Come with your loyal little servant, and Roman lives.”
Casper looked at Marin.
Delphine laughed softly.
“But if the police appear, or if you bring an army, Posie’s heart condition will become the least of your family’s problems.”
The call ended.
Marin reached for Casper’s phone.
“Call her back.”
“She won’t answer.”
“I’m going.”
“No.”
“Roman was captured because he went after something connected to my mother.”
“He followed my order.”
“And Delphine demanded me.”
Casper stepped closer.
“That is exactly why you are not going.”
Marin looked into his eyes.
“You don’t get to decide which lives are worth risking.”
“I decide what happens in my organization.”
“I’m not part of your organization.”
“No,” Casper said quietly. “You’re the woman who saved my life, and I will not repay you by delivering you to people who want you dead.”
Posie spoke from behind them.
“They don’t want Marin dead yet.”
Both turned toward her.
“They want Mom’s evidence,” she continued. “Once they have it, they’ll kill everyone who knows.”
Marin reached for her sister’s hand.
Posie looked at Casper.
“So don’t give them what they expect.”
Casper studied her.
“What do you suggest?”
May you like
Posie pointed toward the unconscious attacker.
“We give them someone they already trust.”
