Chapter 2 - THE WRONG PLACE TO HIDE
Declan pulled Tessa into the linen closet as Camille stepped into the hall. The two of them stood between stacks of clean towels while her footsteps passed a few feet away.
Aris followed her.
“She cleans the east rooms on Tuesdays,” he said.
“I saw her outside my door.”
“You saw a shadow.”
“I know what I saw.”
Their voices faded around the corner. Declan waited until he heard the stair door close, then eased out of the closet.
Tessa’s eyes filled. “I tried to tell the guards. They said I was confused.”
“When did you see her?”
“Yesterday morning. She was standing at the window with a cup of coffee. I dropped a tray, and she turned around.” Tessa wiped her hands against her uniform. “Dr. Aris told me she’d been doing better and that you already knew. Then one of the guards followed me home.”
Declan pulled out his phone. No signal.
“The west wing has a blocker,” Tessa said. “Aris had it installed last month. He said the medical equipment was having problems.”
Declan had signed the purchase order without reading it.
They went back to the bedroom. On the nightstand sat a framed wedding photo: Camille laughing at something beyond the camera, Declan looking at her as though everyone else had left the room. He turned it facedown.
Tessa watched him. “Are you going to call the police?”
“As soon as we’re outside.”
He checked the safe. Camille had taken one envelope. The lower compartment was still locked. Declan entered his code, then placed his thumb on the inner scanner.
It rejected him.
He tried again. A red light flashed above the keypad, and a soft alarm began to pulse.
From the hallway came the sound of the stair door opening.
Declan grabbed Tessa’s hand. “Service stairs. Now.”
May you like
They reached the kitchen as someone called from the west wing.
“Declan?” Camille’s voice carried through the house, clear and familiar. “I know you’re home.”
