Chapter 9 - THE TEST
I didn’t drive to headquarters and demand entry.
That was the photograph Vivian wanted.
Instead, I ate the soup.
Then I called Martin Shaw with Elaine listening.
“Who authorized barring me from my own office?”
He sounded genuinely startled.
“I’ll reverse it.”
“Preserve the instruction first.”
“You keep saying that.”
“Because people keep making things disappear.”
Frank installed a visible security camera in my bedroom with my consent and kept the recordings on equipment my family couldn’t access.
He checked the room for other connected devices.
The receiver in the lamp was the only unauthorized one he found.
I left Vivian’s family override active for one more evening.
Not because I intended to drink anything she touched.
Because an access log alone could still be explained away as care.
A recording might show what care looked like.
Maya objected to my staying in the room.
“You don’t need to expose yourself to prove what they’re doing.”
“I won’t. I’ll be downstairs with Frank.”
At ten, I texted Vivian.
I’m home. We should talk tomorrow. I need to rest first.
She replied within a minute.
Of course. I only want you well.
I put an ordinary glass of water on the nightstand, photographed it, and left.
The bedroom remained empty.
Frank monitored the feed beside me in the study.
At 12:22, Vivian opened the door.
She stood still, listening.
The bed was arranged to look occupied in the dim light, but she didn’t approach it.
She moved directly to the nightstand.
Her hand disappeared into her cardigan pocket.
Something small came out.
She lifted the glass, then stopped.
Her eyes found the camera.
For five seconds, she stared straight into the lens.
Then she set the glass down and smiled.
“Adrian,” she said softly. “You really need help.”
She walked out without touching the bed.
“We have suspicious conduct,” Frank said. “Not a clear addition to the water.”
“I saw what she took out.”
“So did I. We still need to identify it.”
My phone rang.
Vivian.
I answered with Frank recording after I told her he was present.
“Why were you in my room?”
“To check on you.”
“What was in your hand?”
“A vitamin. Ask your doctor.”
“I have.”
May you like
Her voice changed.
“Then ask him why you signed away the waterfront before you ever had trouble sleeping.”
