Chapter 4 - Blood Inside The House
Alexander stared at Thomas.
The storm outside seemed suddenly quieter.
"What did you say?"
Thomas rubbed his hands together.
"Silas mentioned someone called the Benefactor."
Marcus asked whether Thomas had heard a real name.
Thomas shook his head.
"He said the whole operation was impossible without someone close to you."
Alexander felt a colder fear than anger.
The Blackwood Estate had dozens of employees.
His corporation had thousands.
But only a handful of people knew the Golden Clock's history.
Even fewer knew the exact location of the hidden display chamber where it was kept.
Someone had given the thieves precise information.
Alexander questioned Thomas for another fifteen minutes.
Thomas knew little more.
Silas had communicated through disposable phones.
Payments arrived in cash.
The instructions had always been exact.
Before Marcus took Thomas away, Alexander asked one final question.
"Did Silas say why he wanted the clock?"
Thomas looked confused.
"I thought he wanted to sell it."
"You thought?"
Thomas nodded.
"The night before everything happened, he told somebody on the phone that the clock was more important than the woman."
Alexander felt the words settle heavily in his mind.
Sarah had not been framed merely to cover a robbery.
She had been removed from the house because someone needed time with the clock.
He went upstairs.
Lily was sitting on her bed with her knees pulled against her chest.
Her nanny had tried to comfort her.
Lily wanted only her father.
Alexander sat beside her.
"Sweetheart, I need to ask you something."
She nodded.
"When you found the coin, did you see anyone nearby?"
Lily thought carefully.
"There was a man."
Alexander's pulse changed.
"What man?"
"He was standing by the trees."
"Did you know him?"
Lily shook her head.
"He had a black coat."
"Did he see you?"
"I think so."
Alexander forced himself to remain calm.
"What happened?"
"He put his finger over his mouth."
Alexander felt rage rise through his chest.
"Then he left."
Lily reached beneath her pillow.
"I found this too."
She handed him a torn piece of black fabric.
A silver button remained attached.
Alexander studied the emblem engraved into the metal.
It was the Blackwood family crest.
But the household staff no longer wore coats with silver crest buttons.
Those uniforms had been discontinued twelve years earlier.
Alexander remembered exactly who still owned one.
His older uncle.
Edmund Blackwood.
A man who had spent twenty years resenting Alexander for inheriting the family empire.
Alexander kissed Lily's forehead.
"Stay with Nora and lock the door."
"Are you finding Mommy?"
"Yes."
May you like
Alexander stood.
"And I think I just found the first person who wanted her gone."
