Chapter 3 - A SIGNATURE THAT WASN’T HIS
Leo stared at the hospital wall. “Send me a picture.”
The work order arrived seconds later. His name appeared at the bottom in a slanted signature that almost matched his own. Almost.
“That isn’t mine,” he said.
“I figured,” Mateo replied. “The technician says he received it from your office.”
Leo looked through the glass at Lily asleep in her hospital bed. Beatrice sat beside her, holding the stuffed rabbit where Lily could see it when she woke.
Victoria had moved into the mansion six months earlier. She was polished, patient in public, and connected to families Leo’s business needed. He had believed she cared for Lily. He had believed a great many things because she had smiled while telling him them.
His attorney, Dana Brooks, met him at the hospital and photographed Beatrice’s injuries with her consent. She took Beatrice’s account while the details were fresh: Victoria had sent Lily to the cellar after Lily spilled juice on a stack of papers. Lily had begun wheezing. Beatrice heard her through the door and asked for the key. Victoria refused. When Beatrice tried to reach Victoria’s pocket, Victoria struck her with the heavy key ring, then slammed her hand in the kitchen door.
“I pushed her away,” Beatrice said. “That part is true.”
“You were trying to get to Lily,” Dana said.
“I’d do it again.”
Leo’s jaw tightened. Dana noticed.
“Let the police handle Victoria,” she told him. “Lily needs you here.”
Lily woke late that night. She asked for water, then pulled Leo close.
“Victoria said if I told you what I saw, Bee would have to leave.”
“What did you see?”
Lily glanced toward Beatrice. “Victoria opened Mommy’s blue box.”
Leo went still.
Elena’s blue metal document box had been missing since the day she died.
“Where is it now?” he asked.
May you like
Lily pointed toward the hospital window, as if she could see all the way home.
“Under the cellar stairs.”
