Chapter 2 - The Dead Woman's Voice
Nobody moved.
Julia's voice crackled through Maria's phone.
"If Alexander is hearing this, then Vanessa lied. Do not let her near Ethan's trust."
Alexander's face emptied.
Vanessa pulled against his grip. "That's fake."
Maria stopped the recording.
"There's more."
"Where did you get that?" Alexander asked.
"From Julia."
His stare turned hard. "My wife died four years ago. You started working here eight months ago."
"I know."
"Then explain yourself."
Maria looked toward the guests. "Not in front of them."
Alexander didn't hesitate.
"Everyone out."
Vanessa laughed once. "You're throwing out your donors because a nanny has a recording?"
Alexander turned toward head of security Owen Price.
"Lock the east hall. Nobody touches a camera, server, phone system, or computer until I say so."
Owen nodded.
Vanessa's color changed again.
Maria noticed.
So did Alexander.
Ethan refused to leave Maria's side.
Alexander crouched in front of him.
"Buddy, can Mrs. Bell take you upstairs?"
Ethan shook his head.
"She'll stay with you."
Another shake.
Maria touched his shoulder. "I'll come up soon."
Ethan looked at Vanessa and whispered, "She knows where Mommy's room is."
Vanessa's head snapped toward him.
Alexander heard it.
"What room?"
Ethan squeezed Maria's hand.
"The blue room."
Alexander frowned. "There is no blue room."
Vanessa recovered too quickly. "He's making things up again."
Maria looked at her. "Then why did you tell him never to talk about it?"
Vanessa's lips parted.
Alexander turned to Maria. "You heard her say that?"
"I recorded it."
Owen stepped closer. "Sir, I need to tell you something."
Alexander looked at him.
Owen held up his tablet.
"Someone deleted three weeks of hallway footage from the west wing."
"When?"
"Eleven minutes ago."
Every eye turned toward Vanessa.
She smiled faintly.
"You really think I did that from across the ballroom?"
May you like
Owen's face tightened.
"No," he said. "The delete command came from inside Mr. Blackwood's private study."
