Chapter 4 - THE SILVER KEY
The next morning, the mansion appeared normal.
Breakfast was served.
Flowers were arranged.
Cars arrived and departed through the front gates.
The staff moved quietly through the corridors.
But beneath the polished surface, something had changed.
Marco's trusted security team had begun reviewing the estate's old construction records.
Adrian canceled two appointments.
Dean Russo was told that the Atlantic delegation's arrival time had changed.
He reacted badly.
I knew because I overheard him arguing with the estate manager.
"Who authorized this?"
"Mr. Moretti."
Dean swore.
Then demanded to know where Adrian was.
I stayed hidden in the pantry until he left.
That afternoon, Mrs. Alvarez found me polishing silverware.
She was sixty-three, small, sharp-eyed, and had worked at the estate for nearly twenty years.
"You're shaking," she said.
"I'm tired."
She studied me.
"You're a terrible liar, sweetheart."
I smiled weakly.
She sat beside me.
"Did someone hurt you?"
I looked away.
Mrs. Alvarez sighed.
"Claire, I've worked in this house long enough to know when something is wrong."
I hesitated.
Then whispered:
"Do you know anything about a silver key?"
Her face changed.
"Why?"
I stared.
"Because I heard someone mention one."
She looked toward the door.
Then lowered her voice.
"Years ago, before Adrian inherited the estate, there was a private service tunnel beneath the west wing."
My heart stopped.
"A tunnel?"
She nodded.
"It connected the old boiler room to a maintenance building beyond the garden wall."
I swallowed.
"What happened to it?"
"Adrian's father had it sealed."
"Why?"
She hesitated.
"Because someone used it to enter the house during a robbery."
My skin prickled.
"Was there a key?"
Mrs. Alvarez looked at me.
"A silver key opened the maintenance entrance."
I felt cold.
"Who had it?"
She stared at me for a long moment.
Then whispered:
"Adrian's father."
I swallowed.
"Where is it now?"
She looked away.
"After his death, nobody knew."
At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the pantry.
Mrs. Alvarez immediately stood.
Dean Russo appeared in the doorway.
He looked at us.
Then smiled.
"Having a little gossip session, ladies?"
My blood turned to ice.
Mrs. Alvarez smiled politely.
"Just discussing inventory."
Dean looked directly at me.
"Claire."
I forced myself to meet his eyes.
"Yes, sir?"
He smiled.
"Sleep well last night?"
My hands went numb.
Mrs. Alvarez stiffened.
Dean leaned against the doorway.
"Funny thing. I went looking for you in the servants' wing."
I couldn't breathe.
"You weren't there."
He smiled wider.
"Wonder where you went."
Then he walked away.
I stood frozen.
Mrs. Alvarez grabbed my hand.
"Claire."
I looked at her.
May you like
Her voice was barely audible.
"Whatever you know, tell Adrian immediately."
