Chapter 17 - THE PERSON INSIDE THE HOUSE
Ben locked down the property again.
No deliveries. No contractors. No staff without screening.
"The threat came through regular mail," Arthur said. "Anyone could have sent it."
Maria shook her head. "It was addressed to Lucas's bedroom nickname."
Arthur looked at the envelope.
L.J. VANCE.
Only family and longtime household staff called him L.J.
Ben pulled personnel access logs.
One name appeared repeatedly during Elena's camera outages: Denise Carter, the house manager Arthur had employed for eight years.
Denise was sixty, quiet, efficient, and had been hired by Graham.
When Ben searched her office, he found a second set of security badges and copies of Lucas's school schedule.
Arthur felt betrayed all over again.
Denise returned from the grocery store and saw police in the foyer.
She dropped both bags.
"I can explain."
"Start," Arthur said.
She began crying.
Elena had paid her husband’s medical bills. Then asked for small favors. A door left unlocked. A camera disabled. A package mailed. Denise insisted she had never known about the kidnapping.
"Who told you to send this threat?" Ben asked.
"Elena."
"When?"
"This morning. Through an encrypted app."
Arthur's jaw tightened. "She's under court order not to contact Lucas."
Denise nodded. "She said the order wouldn't matter after tomorrow."
"What's tomorrow?"
Denise looked terrified.
"She said she had one last document. Something Claire signed. Something that would prove Lucas's trust was never valid."
Daniel went pale.
"What kind of document?"
Denise swallowed.
"A second will."
Arthur stared at her.
Claire's estate had been settled six years ago.
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If a later will existed, everything could reopen.
Including ownership of the company.
