Chapter 3 - The Servant's Whisper
Thomas Reed was brought into the study twenty minutes later.
He was twenty-six years old.
His soaked work jacket made him look smaller than Alexander remembered.
Marcus stood behind him.
Nero lay beside the fireplace with his eyes fixed on the young groundskeeper.
Alexander said nothing at first.
Silence had always been more effective than shouting.
Thomas shifted in his chair.
Alexander placed the golden coin on the desk.
Thomas froze.
It lasted less than a second.
That was enough.
"You recognize it."
"No, sir."
Alexander watched a bead of sweat appear near Thomas's temple.
"It's February."
Thomas swallowed.
Alexander leaned forward.
"And you're sweating."
"I don't know what you want me to say."
"The truth would be a refreshing beginning."
Thomas glanced toward Marcus.
Marcus remained expressionless.
Alexander opened a file containing security photographs.
One showed Thomas near the east entrance at 8:43 the previous evening.
Another showed him leaving at 8:45.
The cameras went dark at 8:46.
"You disabled them."
"No."
Alexander tapped the photograph.
"You were paid."
Thomas shook his head.
Nero growled.
Thomas jumped.
Alexander lowered his voice.
"My wife was taken from this house by men pretending to be police officers."
Thomas's eyes widened.
"My seven-year-old daughter watched it happen."
"I didn't know."
Alexander caught the words immediately.
He stood.
"You didn't know what?"
Thomas realized his mistake.
His shoulders collapsed.
"I swear they said nobody would get hurt."
Marcus moved closer.
Thomas began talking.
A man named Silas Crane had approached him at a bar six days earlier.
Silas knew about Thomas's gambling debts.
He offered forty thousand dollars for one simple favor.
Thomas had to leave the servants' entrance unlocked.
Then he had to disable the east-wing cameras for twenty minutes.
He was told the operation involved stealing an object from the house.
Nothing more.
Alexander's hands curled into fists.
"Where is Silas?"
Thomas resisted.
Alexander moved around the desk.
"Listen carefully."
His voice was almost gentle.
"If you protect the man who took my wife, the police will be the least of your problems."
Thomas finally broke.
"Old Calder Warehouse."
Marcus immediately recognized the location.
It stood near Pier Nineteen.
Alexander asked whether Thomas had seen Sarah being taken.
Thomas nodded.
"They didn't drive toward the police station."
"Where did they go?"
"East."
Toward the docks.
Alexander turned to Marcus.
"Get the car ready."
Marcus nodded.
Thomas suddenly grabbed Alexander's sleeve.
"Wait."
Alexander looked down at his hand.
Thomas released him immediately.
"Silas isn't the one in charge."
Alexander stopped.
May you like
Thomas whispered the next words.
"There is someone inside your family helping them."
