Chapter 6 - The Locked Drawer
Ethan spent nearly an hour reviewing the recordings.
When he finished, his expression was grim.
“You need professional guidance for Sofía.”
“I know.”
“And you need to document everything.”
“I know.”
“Vanessa should not remain here tonight.”
Roberto looked toward the library doors.
“She won’t.”
Ethan lowered his voice.
“There’s another problem.”
“What?”
“If she was manipulating Sofía to hide mistreatment, we need to determine whether she was manipulating anything else.”
Roberto understood immediately.
Finances.
Household access.
Staff decisions.
Medical arrangements.
He called Daniel back.
“Review every authorization made under my name for the last year.”
Vanessa heard him from the hallway.
She walked into the room.
“You’re turning this into a criminal investigation.”
“No.”
Ethan closed his folder.
“We’re determining what occurred.”
Vanessa glared at him.
“You have always hated me.”
Ethan looked almost amused.
“I barely know you.”
“That never stopped you from judging me.”
“I’m not judging you.”
He gestured toward the security monitors.
“The recordings are doing a fine job without me.”
Vanessa’s eyes flashed.
She turned toward Roberto.
“I’m going upstairs to pack.”
“Daniel will accompany you.”
“That is humiliating.”
Roberto’s answer was immediate.
“Good.”
Daniel escorted Vanessa to the master suite.
Roberto remained with Ethan.
Ten minutes later, Daniel called.
“Sir, we have a problem.”
They went upstairs.
Vanessa stood beside an open closet.
Her suitcases were on the bed.
Daniel held a small brass key.
“I found this taped beneath the back of her jewelry drawer.”
Vanessa stepped forward.
“That is private.”
Roberto looked at the key.
“What does it open?”
“Nobody knows.”
Daniel had already checked the bedroom cabinets.
Then María appeared at the doorway.
She stared at the key.
“I have seen that before.”
Everyone turned.
“Where?”
María pointed toward the study across the hall.
“There is a locked drawer in the old writing desk.”
Vanessa’s face went white.
Roberto saw it immediately.
He took the key from Daniel.
The drawer opened on the first turn.
Inside were copies of household documents.
Medical appointment schedules.
A photocopy of Sofía’s birth certificate.
Several checks.
And an envelope from a private boarding academy in Connecticut.
Roberto stared at the academy name.
Then he opened the letter.
The first line was addressed to Vanessa.
Thank you for your inquiry regarding long-term residential placement for Sofía Vale.
Roberto stopped breathing for a moment.
He looked up.
Vanessa stood in the doorway.
“You told her I planned to send her away.”
Vanessa said nothing.
“You made that fear real.”
“It was only an inquiry.”
“You contacted them.”
“I was exploring options.”
“For my daughter.”
“For our future.”
Roberto unfolded another page.
A handwritten note was attached.
Once Sofía is enrolled, household complications will become significantly easier.
There was no signature.
But Roberto knew Vanessa’s handwriting.
He looked at her.
May you like
“What future were you planning?”
Vanessa’s silence became an answer more frightening than any confession.
