Chapter 8 - The Room Behind the Library
Richard searched the guest wing himself.
Elizabeth's room was empty.
Her wardrobe had been cleared. Her jewelry box was gone. The only thing left was a small envelope beneath the mattress.
Inside was a key and a note.
The library. Behind the shelves.
Richard went downstairs.
The library had been Claire's favorite room in the mansion. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves surrounded a fireplace, and a narrow ladder stood against the wall.
He examined the shelves until he found a small brass lock hidden behind a row of old novels.
The key fit.
A section of shelving swung inward.
Behind it was a narrow staircase leading underground.
Richard called Daniel before descending.
Within minutes, two security officers joined him.
At the bottom, they found a room containing filing cabinets, an old computer, and dozens of sealed envelopes.
One cabinet was labeled with a single word.
STERLING.
Inside were copies of bank transfers, medical reports, surveillance photographs, and correspondence between Elizabeth and Thomas Vale.
Richard opened a file.
The first document was a forged medical authorization permitting someone to access Sophie's records.
The second was a financial statement showing transfers from Sophie's trust.
The third was a photograph of Richard entering his office.
Someone had been monitoring his movements for years.
Then he found a handwritten letter addressed to Claire.
You should never have trusted me.
It was signed Elizabeth.
Richard continued reading.
I believed Thomas when he said he only wanted the money. I believed him when he promised no one would be hurt. But I was wrong.
I helped him gain access to the accounts. I helped him hide the transfers. And when you discovered the truth, I helped him cover up what happened that night.
Richard lowered the letter.
Elizabeth had not simply lied about her identity.
She had helped create the danger that had destroyed his family.
But the letter continued.
I did not know he would leave you in that car.
I did not know Sophie was with you.
By the time I understood what he had done, it was too late.
Richard's hands shook.
He turned the page.
I've spent three years trying to find you. Thomas believes you're dead. He believes the documents disappeared with you.
I have been protecting Sophie because I owe you that much.
Richard heard footsteps behind him.
He turned.
Elizabeth stood at the top of the stairs.
Her face was pale.
“You shouldn't have come down here.”
Richard held up the letter.
“You helped him.”
She looked at the floor.
“Yes.”
The admission struck harder than any denial could have.
“Why?”
“Because I was afraid.”
“You starved my daughter.”
Elizabeth flinched.
“I never wanted—”
“You made her afraid to ask for food.”
“I was trying to keep Thomas from discovering what she remembered.”
Richard stepped closer.
“She is six years old.”
“I know.”
“Then explain why she was eating dog food in my kitchen.”
Elizabeth's eyes filled.
“Thomas threatened to kill her if I helped you find the truth.”
Richard's expression hardened.
“So you decided to hurt her yourself?”
“No.” Elizabeth shook her head desperately. “I made sure the kitchen staff left food where she could find it. I thought—”
“You thought what?”
“That she would survive until I could get her out.”
Richard stared at her in disbelief.
“You call that protecting her?”
Elizabeth began to cry.
“No. I call it the worst mistake of my life.”
A phone rang somewhere upstairs.
Daniel rushed down the steps.
“Mr. Sterling, we've got a problem.”
Richard turned.
“What now?”
“Someone has entered the east wing.”
“Who?”
Daniel looked at the security screen.
“Thomas Vale.”
May you like
Elizabeth went white.
“He found us.”
