Chapter 7 - Behind the Portrait
The wall safe required six digits.
Elena looked at the keypad.
Margaret was careful, but she was also sentimental.
That made her predictable.
Elena entered Richard's full birth date.
The lock clicked.
For several seconds Elena simply stared.
Then she opened the metal door.
A velvet jewelry box sat on the middle shelf.
Her fingers trembled as she lifted it.
She opened the lid.
Diamonds flashed under the desk lamp.
The missing necklace.
Elena felt anger sweep through her so strongly that she had to grip the desk.
Margaret had known exactly where it was.
She had watched Elena cry.
She had watched Julian turn against his own wife.
She had allowed guards to lock Elena inside a room.
All while the necklace rested safely behind a painting.
Elena pulled out the old smartphone.
One percent battery.
She photographed the necklace inside the safe.
Then she photographed the open box from several angles.
She almost closed everything when she noticed a stack of folders beneath the jewelry.
The first contained bank notices.
Overdue loans.
Private debt.
Property liens.
Elena scanned the pages quickly.
Margaret owed millions.
The numbers were staggering.
The second folder contained correspondence with the insurance company.
The necklace had been insured for far more than Elena realized.
There were handwritten notes.
Claim process.
Required police documentation.
Proof of theft.
Suspect statement.
Elena's name appeared beside the last line.
Her stomach turned.
Margaret had planned everything.
She wanted Elena to sign a confession.
Once Elena admitted taking the necklace, Margaret could submit an insurance claim supported by the confession.
Afterward, Margaret would keep the jewelry and collect the payment.
And Elena would become the criminal who conveniently disappeared from the family.
Elena photographed every page she could.
The phone warning flashed.
Battery critically low.
She opened her email.
The images began uploading.
One.
Two.
Three.
Footsteps sounded outside the office.
Elena froze.
The final image uploaded.
The phone died.
Someone touched the door handle.
Elena replaced the folders.
She returned the necklace to the safe.
She closed everything.
There was nowhere to hide except behind the curtains.
Elena slipped between the heavy velvet fabric and the wall.
The office door opened.
Julian entered.
He carried a glass of whiskey.
Elena held her breath.
He walked directly toward the desk.
For a terrifying moment, she thought he had seen the crooked portrait.
Instead, he sat down.
He stared at nothing.
Then he whispered something.
“God, Elena.”
His voice sounded broken.
He covered his face with both hands.
“I don't know what I'm doing.”
Elena's eyes filled with tears despite herself.
Part of her wanted to step out.
Part of her wanted him to know she was there.
Then she remembered the cold floor.
She remembered begging.
She remained hidden.
Julian stayed for several minutes.
Finally, he stood.
Before leaving, he looked toward the portrait.
“Please let me be wrong about her.”
Elena knew exactly which woman he meant.
When the door closed, she waited another full minute.
Then she emerged.
Julian had finally started doubting Margaret.
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Tomorrow, Elena would give him something doubt could not survive.
Proof.
