Chapter 10: The Woman Who Knew Everything
The darkness lasted only a few seconds.
Then the emergency lights flickered on.
Daniel immediately reached for his phone.
"Security, respond! We have an unauthorized lockdown on the lower level.""
Static answered him.
Marcus rushed toward the door and pulled the handle.
It wouldn't move.
"Someone locked us in!""
I looked toward the desk.
The recorder was still there.
But the silver key was gone.
So was Eleanor.
"Where did she go?"" I asked.
Daniel examined the security panel.
"She must have left through the secondary corridor before the lockdown.""
Marcus slammed his fist against the door.
"Mom!""
No answer.
I picked up the recorder.
"Can we access the files without the network?""
Daniel nodded.
"The original recording is stored locally. The remote deletion request may affect the backup, but not this device.""
I slipped it into my handbag.
"Then let's get out.""
Daniel examined the emergency control panel.
"There's a manual release in the security room. But we'll need to reach it from the adjoining corridor.""
Marcus stepped forward.
"I know another way.""
I looked at him.
"How?""
"I used to visit this house with my father. There's a service passage behind the library.""
Daniel frowned.
"Are you certain?""
Marcus nodded.
"Positive.""
We moved toward the bookcase.
Behind a row of old leather-bound books, Marcus found a small brass latch. He pulled it, and a narrow wooden panel swung open.
A cold draft came through the opening.
I followed him into the passage.
For several minutes, we walked through darkness, guided by the light on Daniel's phone.
Then Marcus stopped.
"Nia.""
I looked at him.
"What?""
He turned.
"I need to tell you something before we get out of here.""
I almost lost my patience.
"Now?""
"Yes. Because if we don't make it out together, I don't want you believing something that isn't true.""
I folded my arms.
"Go ahead.""
He swallowed.
"Victor didn't threaten me with a secret about your father. He threatened me with evidence that could implicate my own father.""
I stared at him.
"What evidence?""
"Financial transfers. Illegal payments. Documents showing that Richard had helped Victor move money through Carter Development years ago.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Did your father do it?""
"I don't know. But Victor said he had enough evidence to send him to prison.""
"And you thought stealing my voting rights would solve that?""
Marcus looked down.
"I thought if I gave Victor what he wanted, he'd leave my family alone.""
I shook my head.
"You traded my father's company for your father's freedom.""
"I know.""
"No, Marcus. You don't know. Because you still keep talking about what you thought you could save. You never once considered what you were destroying.""
He looked at me.
"I loved you.""
"Then you should have trusted me with the truth.""
He had nothing to say.
We continued walking.
At the end of the passage, Daniel found the emergency exit.
He forced the release mechanism, and the door opened with a metallic groan.
We emerged into the main hallway.
Two security officers were already waiting.
"Ms. Whitmore!""
One approached us.
"Are you injured?""
"No. Where is Eleanor Hale?""
"We haven't located her.""
Daniel checked his phone.
"Has anyone reached the police?""
The officer nodded.
"Officers are on their way. But there's another issue.""
He showed us a security image.
A black vehicle was leaving the property.
The driver was Eleanor.
In the passenger seat sat Diane Carter.
I stared at the screen.
"Where are they going?""
"We're tracking the vehicle.""
Then I noticed something in the photograph.
Diane was holding a brown leather folder.
The same folder I had seen on my father's desk.
The folder containing the original estate documents.
"That folder," I said.
"It contains the original will.""
Daniel's expression hardened.
"If she removes it from the property, we may lose important evidence.""
"Then stop her.""
The security officer made a call.
But the vehicle had already disappeared from the property's cameras.
I looked at Daniel.
"Where would Diane go?""
He considered the question.
"Somewhere she believes she can negotiate.""
I knew the answer before he finished speaking.
"Victor.""
Twenty minutes later, we were inside Daniel's vehicle, following the police toward the city.
My phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered.
Diane's voice came through.
"Hello, Nia.""
I said nothing.
She laughed softly.
"Still angry with me?""
"Where are you?""
"Somewhere safe.""
"Give me the documents.""
"Which documents?""
"The original will. My father's medical records. Everything you took.""
Diane sighed.
"You sound so much like Alexander.""
"Don't compare me to him.""
"Why? He was a difficult man. He thought money gave him the right to control everyone around him.""
I gripped the phone.
"You helped Victor threaten him.""
"I did what I had to do.""
"Did you know he was going to die?""
Silence.
Then Diane spoke.
"I knew Alexander was dying. Everyone knew that.""
"That's not what I asked.""
Her voice became colder.
"Your father was going to destroy my family. He had evidence that could have sent Richard to prison and ruined Marcus's future.""
"So you helped Victor?""
"I thought we could reach an agreement.""
"An agreement that involved my marriage?""
Diane laughed.
"Do you really think Marcus would have noticed you if Victor hadn't encouraged him?""
I felt my throat tighten.
"Did Marcus know?""
"No. He was the easiest part of the plan. He fell in love with you. That was unfortunate.""
I closed my eyes.
"You're his mother.""
"And you're the reason he lost everything.""
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Then Diane said something that changed the direction of the entire investigation.
"Ask Daniel about the hospital records.""
I opened my eyes.
"What?""
"Ask him why he never told you that Alexander requested a second medical examination before he died.""
My grip tightened.
"Why?""
"Because the second report disappeared.""
The call ended.
I immediately turned toward Daniel.
"What second medical report?""
His hands tightened on the steering wheel.
"Where did you hear that?""
"From Diane.""
He remained silent.
"Daniel.""
He finally answered.
"Your father did request a second examination. I was informed about it shortly after his death.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because the hospital claimed the request had been withdrawn.""
"By whom?""
Daniel glanced at me.
Then he said quietly, "By the person who held your father's medical power of attorney.""
I stared at him.
"Who?""
He looked back at the road.
"Your mother.""
I felt the blood drain from my face.
"Eleanor?""
Daniel nodded.
"But there's something else. The original medical power of attorney was signed before Alexander married her.""
I shook my head.
"That doesn't make sense.""
"It wasn't Eleanor's document.""
May you like
He paused.
"It belonged to Diane Carter.""
