Chapter 3 - THE HOUSEKEEPER WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
By Christmas morning, the storm had buried the estate beneath nearly eighteen inches of snow.
I was still in the medical suite.
Dr. Patel wanted me monitored until she was satisfied that my temperature, circulation, and heart rhythm were stable.
Nicholas had canceled the remaining Christmas festivities.
That decision caused considerable unhappiness among his guests.
I learned this from Maria, the senior housekeeper, who arrived carrying breakfast.
“Mrs. Bellamy is furious,” she announced.
I blinked.
“Who's Mrs. Bellamy?”
“His aunt. She says canceling Christmas dinner because of a maid is disgraceful.”
I looked down at the tray.
“Oh.”
Maria placed it beside me.
“Don't you dare apologize.”
“I wasn't going to.”
“You were thinking about it.”
She was right.
Maria pulled up a chair.
“I've worked here nine years. Richard has treated people terribly for as long as I've known him.”
“Why didn't anyone report him?”
She gave me a sad smile.
“To whom?”
I thought about that.
Nicholas owned the estate.
Richard controlled the staff.
And between them stood an invisible wall that no one dared cross.
“Mr. Grimaldi doesn't know what happens here,” I said.
Maria looked at me carefully.
“That's what he claims.”
Her words unsettled me.
“Do you think he knew?”
“I think powerful men often know less than they should because knowing would require them to change.”
Before I could answer, someone knocked.
Luca entered carrying a tablet.
He was Nicholas's head of security, a broad-shouldered man in his late thirties with a permanent expression of suspicion.
“Emily, I need to ask you some questions.”
Maria stood.
“She's recovering.”
“I know.”
He looked at me.
“Only if you're comfortable.”
I nodded.
He sat down.
“Did Richard ever threaten you before last night?”
I hesitated.
“Yes.”
“How?”
“He said he'd fire me if I spoke to Mr. Grimaldi without permission.”
“Anything else?”
“He deducted money from my wages.”
Luca's expression sharpened.
“For what?”
“Broken dishes. Cleaning supplies. A uniform replacement.”
“Did you receive written explanations?”
“No.”
He made a note.
“Did you ever see Richard take money from other employees?”
I shook my head.
“Not directly.”
Then I remembered something.
“Actually…”
Luca looked up.
“What?”
“Last month, I was cleaning his office. He had a payroll envelope on the desk. It had Maria's name on it.”
Maria stiffened.
I continued.
“He opened it and took out several bills.”
Luca turned toward her.
“Maria?”
She looked away.
“My wages have been short for months.”
“Why didn't you report it?”
She laughed bitterly.
“To Richard?”
Luca's jaw tightened.
He closed the tablet.
“Thank you.”
As he stood, I asked a question.
“Is Richard going to be arrested?”
Luca hesitated.
“That depends on what the investigation finds.”
I looked at him.
“Please don't let Mr. Grimaldi hurt him.”
Luca seemed surprised.
“After what he did to you?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
I looked down at my hands.
“Because if Mr. Grimaldi uses violence, Richard will become the victim in everyone's story.”
Luca studied me.
Then he nodded slowly.
“I'll tell him.”
After he left, Maria stared at me.
“What?”
She smiled faintly.
“Nothing.”
“Maria.”
“You've been here three months, and you're already telling the most dangerous man in the city how to behave.”
I looked toward the door.
“I didn't tell him anything.”
Maria laughed.
“Oh, sweetheart.”
May you like
She patted my hand.
“You have no idea what you've started.”
