Chapter 9 - THE CAMERA MARGARET FORGOT
The backup footage arrived four days later.
Elena watched it in her office with Maya.
Clara sat beside them.
The recording showed the hallway outside Margaret's dressing room.
The timestamp read 3:17 p.m.
The day the sapphire disappeared.
Margaret entered the room carrying a small blue jewelry box.
She remained inside for eleven minutes.
Then she emerged without it.
Maya leaned forward.
"That's the box."
Clara covered her mouth.
"That's the one Idan drew."
Elena paused the video.
"We need to establish what happened to the necklace, not just the box."
She continued playing.
At 3:42 p.m., Margaret returned.
This time, she carried a black handbag.
She entered the dressing room.
Four minutes later, she left.
The handbag appeared fuller.
Clara stared.
"She took it."
Elena looked at her.
"Possibly."
Then Maya noticed something.
"Wait."
She rewound the footage.
At 3:49 p.m., Margaret passed a mirror in the hallway.
For a split second, the reflection showed the handbag open.
Inside was the blue box.
Maya froze the frame.
Clara began crying.
Elena leaned back.
"This is significant."
Clara wiped her face.
"Can we prove she still has it?"
Elena nodded slowly.
"We can request additional records and seek appropriate orders."
That evening, Adam received a call from Elena.
She told him the footage contradicted his mother's account.
Adam listened in silence.
Then he walked into Margaret's private sitting room.
She was reading.
"Mother."
She looked up.
"Adam."
He placed a photograph from the footage on the table.
Margaret stared at it.
Her face drained.
May you like
Adam's voice was quiet.
"Where is Evelyn's necklace?"
