Chapter 6 - The Midnight Escape
Elena stepped barefoot into the hallway.
The storm covered nearly every sound.
Lightning flashed through the tall windows, briefly illuminating the long corridor.
She closed the bedroom door carefully behind her.
The nearest security camera was positioned above the staircase.
Elena had studied the camera layout on the old phone.
She knew where the blind spots were.
She moved close to the wall.
A guard crossed the lower hallway.
Elena pressed herself behind a marble column.
His radio crackled.
He continued toward the kitchen.
Elena waited.
Then she moved.
Margaret's private office was on the opposite side of the mansion.
Normally the walk took less than two minutes.
Tonight it felt endless.
Every corner carried danger.
Every sound seemed amplified.
When Elena reached the library, she heard voices.
Margaret.
Thomas.
Elena stopped behind the partially closed door.
“You should have erased everything,” Margaret whispered.
“I erased the important camera,” Thomas replied.
“She found the gap.”
“How?”
“I don't know.”
Thomas lowered his voice.
“Julian is asking questions.”
“He'll stop.”
“You can't keep controlling him forever.”
Margaret's reply came immediately.
“I have controlled him for thirty-three years.”
Elena felt sick.
Thomas spoke again.
“What about the necklace?”
“It stays where it is until she signs.”
“And afterward?”
“I'll handle it.”
Elena's pulse jumped.
The necklace was still inside the house.
She leaned closer.
Thomas sighed.
“You're taking a big risk over an insurance payment.”
Insurance.
Elena almost gasped.
Now she understood part of the motive.
Margaret wasn't merely framing Elena to remove her.
She intended to profit from the disappearance.
Thomas continued.
“You should have sold something else.”
“I cannot sell assets without the board noticing.”
“Then maybe you should tell Julian about the debt.”
Margaret's voice became cold.
“My son will know nothing.”
Elena backed away.
Debt.
Insurance.
A staged theft.
This was far larger than family hatred.
She moved toward Margaret's office.
The heavy oak door was locked.
Elena examined the handle.
Unlike the guest room, this lock was electronic.
She could not pick it.
Then she remembered something Julian had once said.
Margaret hated carrying keys.
Most of her private rooms opened with a fingerprint or code.
Elena touched the keypad.
Four digits.
She tried Julian's birthday.
Red light.
Margaret's birthday.
Red light.
Then Elena remembered the framed photograph on Margaret's desk.
Her late husband, Richard.
Margaret spoke constantly about preserving his legacy.
Elena entered Richard's birthday.
Green light.
The door opened.
Elena stepped inside and closed it behind her.
The room smelled of perfume, leather, and old paper.
She turned on the smallest desk lamp.
Nothing looked unusual.
Then she noticed the enormous portrait behind Margaret's desk.
Richard Harrington stared down from the painting.
Elena approached.
The frame seemed slightly crooked.
She touched one side.
It moved.
Behind the portrait was a steel safe.
Elena stared at it.
Her heart began pounding again.
May you like
If the necklace was anywhere, it was here.
And if she opened that safe, she might finally obtain the proof that could destroy Margaret's entire lie.
