Chapter 5 - The Uncle At Midnight
Edmund Blackwood lived in the west guesthouse whenever he visited the estate.
Alexander crossed the courtyard through heavy rain.
Marcus followed two steps behind.
The guesthouse lights were on.
Alexander entered without knocking.
Edmund was standing beside a fireplace with a glass of brandy in his hand.
He was sixty-three years old, silver-haired, elegant, and permanently irritated by the fact that his nephew controlled everything he believed should have been his.
"Alexander."
Edmund frowned.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Alexander dropped the silver button onto the table.
Edmund's eyes shifted toward it.
Only briefly.
Again, it was enough.
"Where is your old Blackwood coat?"
Edmund smiled.
"Is this really the time to discuss clothing?"
"Where is it?"
Edmund's expression hardened.
"I haven't seen it in years."
Alexander walked toward the wardrobe.
Edmund blocked him.
Marcus moved forward.
Edmund stepped aside.
The wardrobe contained several expensive coats.
The old Blackwood uniform was not among them.
Alexander searched the room.
Inside a drawer, Marcus found a package containing twenty thousand dollars in fresh bills.
Edmund's anger exploded.
"Do you think I put that there?"
"I haven't said what I think."
"You clearly suspect me."
"My wife has been kidnapped."
"Your wife has been arrested."
"No."
Alexander stepped closer.
"She was kidnapped by men wearing police uniforms."
For the first time, Edmund looked genuinely surprised.
Alexander studied him carefully.
Edmund might hate Sarah.
He might hate Alexander.
But the shock appeared real.
Then Marcus found something beneath the desk.
A photograph.
It showed Sarah leaving a charity event three weeks earlier.
A red circle had been drawn around her face.
Edmund stared at it.
"I have never seen that before."
Alexander believed one thing now.
Someone wanted him to suspect Edmund.
The torn fabric.
The missing coat.
The cash.
The photograph.
It was another frame.
The same method used against Sarah.
Alexander picked up the photograph.
"Someone is cleaning their path by making us accuse each other."
Edmund's arrogance faded.
"Who?"
"That is what I intend to discover."
Edmund opened his safe.
From inside, he removed an old leather journal.
"If the Golden Clock was taken, you need to see this."
Alexander opened the journal.
It had belonged to his grandfather.
The first page contained a drawing of the clock.
Beneath it were four handwritten words.
THE CLOCK IS A KEY.
Alexander looked up.
May you like
Edmund's voice was quiet.
"Our family never told you everything."
