Chapter 6 - BLOOD MONEY
Victoria Whitmore.
Adrian’s younger sister.
The only family member he still spoke to.
She lived in Boston, served on the foundation board, and had spent years presenting herself as everything Adrian was not.
Warm.
Generous.
Approachable.
Grace watched his reaction.
“You know that name.”
Adrian ended the call.
“Come with me.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere safe.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you until you tell me who you are.”
Adrian looked toward the stained-glass window.
He had wanted truth without revealing himself.
Now lies were becoming dangerous.
“My name is Adrian.”
Grace waited.
“Adrian what?”
He looked at her.
“Whitmore.”
Silence.
Grace laughed once.
Not because it was funny.
Because it was absurd.
“Sure.”
“I’m serious.”
“You’re Adrian Whitmore.”
“Yes.”
“The billionaire.”
“Yes.”
“The man whose house I clean.”
“Yes.”
Grace stared at his torn coat.
Then she shook her head.
“You need help.”
Adrian pulled a ring from a hidden pocket in his boot.
Heavy platinum.
Whitmore family crest.
Grace had polished the identical emblem engraved into the mansion library fireplace.
Her face changed.
“No.”
He removed the dirty cap.
Then wiped part of the makeup from his cheek.
Recognition arrived slowly.
Grace stepped backward.
“Oh my God.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You’re him.”
“Yes.”
She looked furious.
“You let Victor shove you?”
“I needed to know how people behaved when they thought I had no power.”
Grace’s eyes flashed.
“So this was a game?”
“No.”
“You dressed like a homeless man and tested us.”
“I tested everyone.”
“People aren’t lab rats, Mr. Whitmore.”
Adrian flinched.
“Grace—”
“You watched me risk my job.”
“Yes.”
“You watched them accuse me of theft.”
“I didn’t know that would happen.”
“But you stood there.”
Her voice shook.
“My mother needs medication, and I thought I’d lost my income because I gave you breakfast.”
Adrian had no defense.
Grace picked up her torn bag.
“You got your answer.”
“Grace.”
“Kindness exists.”
She looked at him with wet, furious eyes.
“It just doesn’t seem to exist in you.”
She turned to leave.
Adrian said, “Someone inside my house tried to kill you.”
That stopped her.
“And now they think I’m dead.”
Grace slowly faced him.
Adrian continued.
“If Benton and Victoria are stealing millions, the paper you copied may be the one thing they don’t know I have access to.”
“You don’t have it.”
“No.”
“You don’t know where it is.”
“No.”
Grace stared at him.
Then said, “Good.”
Adrian almost smiled.
Almost.
His phone rang again.
This time it was an unknown number.
He answered.
A woman’s voice said, “Adrian?”
His blood chilled.
Victoria.
He said nothing.
She continued.
“I know you’re alive.”
Adrian looked at Grace.
May you like
Then Victoria whispered,
“And if you want your precious maid’s mother to stay alive, come home alone.”
