Chapter 10 - THE SECOND SECRET
The right ear had been sewn with dark brown thread.
The left ear, where the brass key had fallen out, used tan thread.
Two different repairs.
Lily touched the right ear carefully.
"Mommy fixed that one first."
Clara asked for a seam ripper.
Adrian hesitated.
"We already tore one side open."
Lily surprised them both.
"Do it."
Clara opened three stitches.
Inside the stuffing was a tiny folded strip of waterproof paper.
No key.
Just numbers.
A safe-deposit box number and the name of a bank downtown.
Adrian recognized it immediately.
"Elena's father used that bank."
Marcus checked the time.
"It opens at nine."
Adrian looked at the security team.
"Then we are there at eight fifty-five."
The next morning, police advised him not to take Lily. Clara stayed home with her while Adrian went to the bank with an attorney and Officer Ruiz.
At 10:18, he returned carrying a slim gray case.
He locked the library doors before opening it.
Inside were original trust papers, letters, a small jewelry box, and a notarized statement from Elena.
But something was missing.
One document pocket had been sliced open.
The bank manager's access record showed the box had been opened three weeks earlier.
By someone presenting a power of attorney from Adrian.
Adrian had never signed one.
"Who collected the document?" Clara asked.
He placed a printed security still on the table.
Rachel Quinn stood at the bank counter.
Beside her was Daniel Wexler.
Lily pointed at the photograph.
"That's Vanessa's lawyer."
Adrian nodded.
The missing paper was identified on the inventory list as an amendment to Lily's trust.
Elena had added it two weeks before her death.
The amendment did something unusual.
If Adrian became unable or unwilling to protect Lily's interests, a secondary protector could challenge any guardian or trustee decisions.
The name of that protector was listed on the inventory.
Clara Reyes.
Clara stared at the paper.
"That can't be right. I barely knew Elena."
Adrian looked at her.
"You knew her before you worked here."
Clara's face changed.
Lily noticed.
"Clara?"
May you like
Clara sat down slowly.
"There is something I never told you."
