Chapter 10 - The Missing Box
The backpack was empty except for clothes and a library book.
Mason's face hardened.
"Someone searched this."
"When?" August asked.
June stepped into the kitchen. "Elsie's bag was in the guest suite during breakfast."
"Who entered?"
"Housekeeping. Security. Mrs. Caldwell."
August turned.
"Victoria."
Mason was already moving.
The estate cameras showed Victoria entering Elsie's room at 7:42 a.m. She stayed ninety seconds.
When she left, her cardigan bulged at one pocket.
August felt something inside him snap.
"Where is she?"
"Garage."
They found Victoria beside an old Bentley, holding a small wooden box and a lighter.
"Put it down," August said.
"You still think Caroline was innocent in all this?"
"I think you stole from a seven-year-old."
"That box will destroy you."
"Then let it."
Victoria flicked the lighter.
Mason raised his weapon.
August lifted a hand.
"No."
Victoria looked almost relieved.
Then Elsie's voice came from behind them.
"Mom said you were scared of the blue book."
Victoria froze.
August turned.
Elsie stood with June at the garage doorway.
"What blue book?" he asked.
Victoria's eyes closed.
Too late.
August understood.
The wooden box was not the real prize.
It was bait.
Elsie reached into the lining of her coat and pulled out a tiny blue notebook.
"Mom said adults look for boxes."
August almost laughed.
Caroline had always loved misdirection.
Victoria lowered the lighter.
Nora took the notebook.
Most pages were written in Caroline's hand.
Dates.
Payments.
Names.
Thomas Green.
Owen Shaw.
Marcus Vane.
June Bell.
And one name August did not expect.
Nora Pierce.
Nora went pale.
August's voice dropped.
"You knew Caroline was alive?"
Nora did not answer.
"How long?"
Her eyes filled.
"Six years."
August stared at the woman who had been his attorney for twenty-nine years.
"You let me believe my daughter was dead."
Nora whispered, "Because Caroline made me choose between your grief and Elsie's life."
August stepped back.
May you like
Then he saw the last line on the page.
If Nora tells Dad the truth, he must ask her about the second will.
