Chapter 10 - THE WINDOW
Nathan reached Lily's room first.
Glass covered the carpet.
A rock lay near the bed wrapped in paper.
Nobody was outside.
Security searched the grounds.
The note around the rock said:
A CHILD CAN LOSE A FATHER TWICE.
Grace turned white.
Nathan wanted to move them immediately.
Emma refused.
"That's what they want. Every move creates another chance to intercept us."
Nathan looked at her.
"You sound like Paul."
"I listened to him too late."
Detective Ortiz discovered the interior alarm had been disabled with an employee code.
The code belonged to estate manager Harold Finch.
Harold had worked for Nathan's family since he was a teenager.
When police brought him in, he cried before anyone asked a question.
Marcus had been paying his son's gambling debts.
In exchange, Harold shared schedules, camera access, and staff movements.
"Did you let someone onto the property tonight?" Ortiz asked.
Harold shook his head.
"No. I only disabled the alarm for six minutes."
"For who?"
"Victoria."
Nathan stared.
Victoria was supposed to be under court order at her sister's apartment.
Claire checked her phone.
No answer.
Then Emma's phone buzzed.
A live video appeared from an unknown number.
Victoria stood in a dark room.
Behind her was a wall Nathan recognized.
The old Cole boathouse.
She held a red folder.
"You want the rest of Richard's records?" she said.
She smiled.
"Bring Grace."
Nathan stepped toward the screen.
"No."
Victoria laughed softly.
"Then ask Grace what she signed three months before Lily was born."
The stream ended.
May you like
Nathan turned.
Grace had gone completely still.
