Chapter 3 - The Woman Behind the Door
Sarah looked at the screen.
Then at Daniel.
“You’ve been recording the staff bedrooms?”
“The hallway,” he said.
“I went to discuss tomorrow’s schedule.”
Daniel tapped the screen.
Sarah entered Emily’s room carrying a small velvet pouch.
She came out ninety-three seconds later without it.
Emily stood up.
“That’s where I keep my bag.”
Victor stepped closer to Daniel.
“Preserve that file. Don’t circulate it.”
“I already preserved it,” Daniel said.
“To whom?”
“The responding officers.”
Victor’s jaw tightened.
Two police officers arrived before Sarah could offer another explanation.
The gala ended without speeches.
Guests slipped past the flower arrangements, avoiding my eyes.
One officer spoke to Sarah.
The other asked Emily whether anyone else had access to her room.
“All the household managers have keys,” she said. “Mrs. Carter has the master.”
“Did you put the necklace in your bag?”
“No.”
Her answer was quiet and steady now.
When Maya arrived, she listened without interruption.
Then she looked at me.
“Mr. Carter, Emily is not evidence you get to keep in your house.”
“I understand.”
“Do you?”
I deserved that, too.
Emily retrieved her documents with Maya and an officer beside her.
Sarah stayed in the drawing room, speaking rapidly to Victor.
I remained in the library.
For eighteen years, I had imagined hearing my daughter laugh.
I had never imagined meeting her while she was afraid of me.
Emily returned carrying a thin folder.
Inside was a replacement birth certificate naming Ruth Bennett as her mother.
No father was listed.
The birth date placed Emily’s arrival four years before Clara’s daughter was born.
“It looks official,” I said.
Maya studied the seal.
“It may be official paper containing false information. We don’t know yet.”
Emily stared at her.
“You think Ruth lied to me?”
“I think you deserve answers that don’t depend on anyone’s memories.”
I asked about a DNA test.
Maya turned to Emily, not me.
“You can say no.”
Emily looked down at the photograph.
Then she nodded.
“But I’m not staying here tonight.”
“I’ll arrange a hotel,” I said.
“I’ll arrange it,” Maya corrected.
Emily followed her toward the door.
I wanted to stop her.
Instead, I asked, “May I keep the locket long enough to photograph it?”
She held out her hand.
“No.”
I gave it back.
As she left, my phone vibrated.
Sarah had sent a message from the next room.
May you like
Don’t reopen that fire, James.
You have no idea what you signed.
