Chapter 8 - The Condo
Police reached Victoria’s condo before she could erase everything.
She had three laptops open.
One showed the probate portal.
One showed Arthur’s home-camera system.
The third showed a folder labeled:
LILY INCIDENTS.
Victoria was arrested for obstruction-related conduct and unauthorized account access while investigators worked through the larger case.
Arthur felt no victory.
At the condo, police found printed photographs of Lily.
School parking lot.
Each labeled with dates.
FATHER ABSENT.
ELENA PRESENT.
MARGARET INTERFERING.
Arthur stared at Elena’s name.
Reed answered later.
“Because Elena ruined the narrative.”
Elena had worked for Arthur for ten months.
She had questioned several of Victoria’s explanations.
Lily’s sudden fear of being alone with Victoria.
Arthur remembered Elena once saying:
“Mr. Bennett, Lily doesn’t act careless. She acts scared.”
Arthur had answered:
“She’s still grieving.”
Another explanation.
She was home with her shoulder in a sling.
“I owe you an apology.”
“No.”
“Elena—”
“You owe Lily one.”
The words landed cleanly.
He nodded though she could not see him.
“You’re right.”
She continued:
“I told you Victoria scared her.”
“You did.”
“You said Victoria was family.”
“I know.”
“That isn’t the same as safe.”
Arthur closed his eyes.
“No.”
Then Elena said something else.
“Grace hired me.”
“What?”
“She contacted the agency before she died.”
“That’s impossible. You started a year later.”
“She asked them to keep a note on file.”
Arthur’s heart pounded.
“What note?”
Elena read from a copy.
If Arthur ever hires in-home care for Lily, send someone who will notice what he explains away.
Arthur laughed once through tears.
Still protecting them.
Then Elena added:
“There’s a second page.”
“What does it say?”
“Do not trust Victoria alone with Lily.”
“Why didn’t the agency tell me?”
“They did.”
May you like
A pause.
“You signed the intake packet without reading the attachment.”
