Chapter 6 - SOMEONE IN THE GARDEN
Police traced the message only as far as an unregistered phone. They warned Beatrice to report further contact and arranged for someone to stay near Lily’s room.
Beatrice disliked having a guard outside the door. Lily disliked it more.
“He looks angry,” Lily whispered.
“He’s tired,” Beatrice said. “He’s been standing a long time.”
“I stand a long time when we bake cookies.”
“You sit on the counter and eat the chocolate chips.”
“That’s work.”
Beatrice laughed before she remembered the stitches in her cheek.
Lily studied her. “Did Victoria hurt you because of me?”
“No, honey. Victoria made her own choices.”
Leo heard the exchange from the doorway. Later, when Lily slept, he found Beatrice by the vending machines.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“For what?”
“I should have seen what was happening.”
“You weren’t there this afternoon.”
“I mean before today.”
Beatrice looked at him. “Then listen to Lily when she tells you something feels wrong. Even if it sounds small.”
Leo nodded.
That evening, Dana brought news. A neighbor’s security camera showed a dark SUV parked near the mansion’s service entrance on three nights when Leo was out of town. The plates belonged to a company Graham Kensington controlled.
Mateo reviewed the footage. On the third night, someone carried a slim case from the SUV into the garden. Victoria met him at the side door.
They enlarged the image enough to see the man’s face.
It was the mansion’s security chief, Owen Price.
Owen had been stationed outside when Beatrice shouted for help. He had claimed he heard nothing.
Leo called Rafael. “Where is Owen?”
“At the west gate. He’s scheduled until midnight.”
“Keep him there. Police are coming.”
May you like
A minute later, Rafael called back.
“Owen’s gone,” he said. “His car’s still here.”
