Chapter 4: The Woman in the Hallway
The figure stepped into the light.
Diane’s hand flew to her mouth.
“Evelyn?””
The woman standing at the end of the hallway was in her early sixties, dressed in a black evening gown that looked strangely out of place among the bright summer clothes outside.
Marcus stared at her.
“Who is that?””
Evelyn didn’t answer.
She looked directly at Diane.
Then at Vanessa.
Finally, her eyes settled on the black box.
“You opened it.””
Marcus stepped in front of his mother.
“Who are you?””
Evelyn gave him a sad smile.
“My name is Evelyn Carter.””
Diane’s face had gone completely still.
Marcus looked between them.
“You know her.””
Diane whispered, “Yes.””
“How?””
Evelyn answered for her.
“I worked for your father.””
Marcus frowned.
“As what?””
“His private secretary.””
Vanessa suddenly shook her head.
“No.””
Evelyn looked at her.
“You recognize me.””
Vanessa backed away.
“You weren't supposed to be here.””
“I could say the same about you.””
Marcus turned toward Vanessa.
“You knew Evelyn?””
Vanessa’s eyes darted toward the front door.
Marcus caught the movement.
“Don’t.””
She stopped.
“You're not leaving until someone explains what’s happening.””
Evelyn walked toward the desk.
Her heels clicked against the hardwood floor.
She stopped beside the black box.
“Your father gave me this six days before he died.””
Diane’s voice trembled.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because he made me promise not to.””
“You knew he was in danger.””
Evelyn looked at her.
“Yes.””
Diane’s eyes filled with tears.
“Then why did you let him die?””
Marcus flinched.
“Mom.””
Evelyn swallowed.
“I didn’t let him die.””
She looked toward the window.
“He told me someone was stealing from the company.””
Marcus stiffened.
“Stealing what?””
“Money first.””
Evelyn looked at the box.
“Then designs.””
Diane’s expression changed.
“The private collection.””
Evelyn nodded.
“Your collection.””
Marcus looked at his mother.
“What collection?””
Diane didn’t answer.
Evelyn did.
“Your mother created a luxury brand before you were born. She designed a limited line of shoes that was worth millions. Your father helped finance the project.””
Marcus stared.
“Why did I never hear about this?””
“Because the company disappeared before it launched,” Diane said.
Evelyn corrected her.
“It didn't disappear.””
Diane looked at her.
“It was stolen.””
Silence.
Vanessa suddenly spoke.
“I didn't steal anything.””
Evelyn turned.
“No?””
“I found those shoes.””
“In his study?””
“Yes.””
“You expect us to believe that?””
Vanessa's voice cracked.
“I didn't know what they were.””
Evelyn walked closer.
“Then why did you wear them tonight?””
Vanessa looked down.
“I thought they were beautiful.””
Evelyn shook her head.
“You were told not to wear them.””
Marcus stepped forward.
“By whom?””
Vanessa didn't answer.
“Vanessa.””
She closed her eyes.
“My sister.””
Marcus stared.
“You have a sister?””
“Yes.””
“What's her name?””
Vanessa hesitated.
“Claire.””
Diane suddenly stiffened.
“Claire Bell?””
Vanessa looked at her.
“You know her?””
Diane's expression had become almost frightened.
“She used to work for your father.””
Evelyn nodded.
“She was the last person he fired.””
Marcus looked at Vanessa.
“Why?””
Vanessa wiped a tear from her cheek.
“Because she stole something.””
“What?””
Vanessa whispered,
“The original design book.””
Diane moved toward her.
“My design book?””
“Yes.””
Marcus looked confused.
“And Claire has it?””
Vanessa nodded.
“She had it for years.””
“Then why did you take the shoes?””
Vanessa looked at the black box.
“Because Claire told me there was something hidden inside one of the pairs.””
Evelyn's face changed.
“What?””
Vanessa took a shaky breath.
“She said your father left evidence behind.””
Marcus looked at the box.
“What evidence?””
Vanessa whispered,
“A recording.””
Diane froze.
Evelyn closed her eyes.
Marcus stared at the black box.
“My father recorded something?””
Vanessa nodded.
“Claire said he recorded the person who betrayed him.””
Marcus reached for the box.
The lid opened with a soft click.
Inside was an old digital recorder.
A single red light blinked.
Still powered.
Marcus picked it up.
“Why is this still on?””
Evelyn's face drained.
“Because your father never stopped recording.””
The device suddenly clicked.
A man's voice filled the room.
Marcus knew it immediately.
His father's voice.
“If Diane ever hears this, it means they found the shoes.””
The recording crackled.
Then his father whispered,
“And it means the person who betrayed us is closer to her than she thinks.””
The recorder stopped.
Marcus looked at his mother.
Diane was crying silently.
Then the device beeped again.
A second recording had started automatically.
His father's voice returned.
“Diane... don't trust—”
Static swallowed the final word.
Marcus stared at the recorder.
“Don't trust who?””
The screen flickered.
A file name appeared.
*VANESSA_02*
Vanessa screamed.
May you like
“No.””
And before anyone could stop her, she lunged for the recorder.
