Chapter 4 - The Key
Julian stared at the photograph.
His father’s hand was on Elena’s waist.
Elena was smiling.
Date stamped on the back:
SEPTEMBER 1989.
Rebecca said, “Your father lied.”
Julian looked at the key.
“About more than one thing.”
Mara sat on the edge of the bed.
“My mother thought Elena was seeing someone here.”
“She knew it was Charles?”
“I don’t think so.”
Julian turned the key over.
Small.
Iron.
Old.
14.
Rebecca asked, “Room fourteen?”
“There is no room fourteen.”
Mara said, “Maybe not now.”
Walls moved.
Rooms joined.
Servant corridors sealed.
One 1931 floor plan showed numbered service doors.
Door 14 sat behind the west library.
Julian stared.
“The sealed room.”
Rebecca nodded.
The key fit the age.
Charles walked into the archive without knocking.
He saw the plan.
Then the photograph.
His face changed.
“Where did you get that?”
Julian stood.
“So you admit it’s real.”
Charles said nothing.
“Were you sleeping with Elena?”
His father’s jaw tightened.
“She disappeared.”
“And?”
Julian stared.
“And you were with her.”
Charles stepped closer.
“I did not hurt that woman.”
“Then why were you left out of the police report?”
Silence.
“Who removed your name?”
Charles looked at Rebecca.
Julian blocked the door.
“No.”
Charles’ eyes hardened.
Julian laughed.
His father went still.
The mansion was legally held by the family trust, but Julian had refinanced everything after Charles nearly lost it.
Julian continued.
Charles looked at his son as if seeing him differently.
Then he whispered:
“If you open that wall, you will destroy this family.”
May you like
Julian replied:
“Then maybe the wall is not the problem.”
