Chapter 6 - THE HOUSEKEEPER WHO REFUSED TO BOW
I went directly to Dominic's office.
He was standing beside the window.
When he saw my face, he straightened.
“What happened?”
“Victoria called me.”
His expression changed.
“What did she say?”
I repeated the conversation.
Word for word.
Dominic listened.
Then took a slow breath.
“I'm sorry.”
I stared.
“Sir?”
“She had no right to speak to you that way.”
I swallowed.
“I'm not worried about my job.”
He looked surprised.
“I'm worried about Lily.”
Dominic nodded.
“So am I.”
I stepped closer.
“Then I need you to understand something.”
He waited.
“I have worked here for six years. I've cleaned your rooms, supervised your staff, and helped raise Ethan when you were away.”
His face tightened slightly.
“But Lily is my daughter. If staying here puts her in danger, I'll leave.”
Dominic looked at me for a long moment.
Then said, “I won't stop you.”
I nodded.
“But I want to help keep her safe.”
I studied him.
“Then find out who did this.”
His expression hardened.
“I will.”
That night, I packed a bag.
Lily watched from the bed.
“Mommy?”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Are we going home?”
I looked at her.
Our little apartment in Yonkers had always been home.
The Moretti estate was where I worked.
But lately, the lines had blurred.
“We're going somewhere safe.”
She hugged her stuffed dinosaur.
“Will Ethan come?”
I hesitated.
“No, honey.”
Her face fell.
“But he needs me.”
I knelt.
“Sweetheart, you already helped him.”
She shook her head.
“Bad man still here.”
My heart stopped.
“What do you mean?”
Lily looked toward the hallway.
“He came back.”
I felt cold.
“When?”
“Yesterday.”
“Where did you see him?”
She pointed toward the window.
“By the flowers.”
The garden.
I stood slowly.
“Did he see you?”
Lily nodded.
Then whispered, “He waved.”
I called Vincent immediately.
Within minutes, security reviewed the garden cameras.
At 4:17 the previous afternoon, a maintenance worker crossed the south terrace.
He wore a gray cap.
Dark jacket.
And a silver falcon pin.
He stopped near the guest cottage.
Looked directly toward Lily's window.
Then waved.
Vincent stared at the screen.
“He's still inside.”
Dominic stood beside him.
His face was unreadable.
“Find him.”
Vincent nodded.
Then the security system sounded an alarm.
A side gate had opened.
A vehicle was leaving.
Dominic turned toward the monitor.
May you like
The car belonged to Celeste Grant.
And in the passenger seat sat a man with a dark beard.
