Chapter 2 - THE ORDER THAT TERRIFIED THE HOUSEHOLD|
By seven the following morning, every employee in the Costa mansion knew something extraordinary had happened.
Graham Costa had survived another assassination attempt.
But that wasn't what frightened them.
The real shock came when Anthony Russo gathered the household staff in the marble foyer and announced the boss's latest instructions.
"Mr. Costa wants everyone to understand that the rules of this house have changed."
The maids stood in a nervous line. The cooks exchanged worried glances. Even the senior butler, Edward, looked uncomfortable.
Anthony continued.
"Nobody enters the west wing without his permission. Nobody touches his personal belongings. And nobody approaches him unless specifically summoned."
He paused.
"Except Tabitha Hayes."
A dozen heads turned.
Tabitha nearly dropped the laundry basket she was holding.
"Me?"
Anthony looked at her.
"You're to report to his private quarters immediately."
The older housekeeper, Mrs. Whitmore, stepped forward.
"Mr. Russo, surely there's been a mistake. That girl is only a junior maid."
Anthony's expression remained cold.
"Do you want to repeat that in front of the boss?"
Mrs. Whitmore lowered her eyes.
Tabitha followed Anthony upstairs, her stomach twisting with every step.
"What does he want from me?" she asked quietly.
"That's a question you should ask him."
"Is he angry?"
Anthony stopped outside the private bedroom.
"Mr. Costa doesn't need to be angry to become dangerous."
He opened the door.
Graham was sitting upright against the headboard, wearing a black silk robe. A bandage covered his temple, and another wrapped around his ribs.
His physician stood beside the bed.
"You're awake," Tabitha said.
Graham's eyes settled on her.
"Close the door."
Anthony obeyed.
The physician looked between them.
"Mr. Costa, I still recommend that you avoid unnecessary movement. Your injuries are more serious than you seem willing to acknowledge."
"Leave us."
"Sir—"
"Now."
The physician gathered his equipment and left.
Tabitha remained beside the door.
Graham pointed toward a chair.
"Sit."
She obeyed.
For a moment, he simply studied her.
"How long have you worked here?"
"Eleven weeks."
"Where did you work before?"
"A hotel in Manhattan."
"Why did you leave?"
"My brother needed surgery. I needed a better salary."
Graham's expression changed slightly.
"Your brother?"
"His name is Daniel. He's twenty-one."
"What happened to him?"
Tabitha hesitated.
"He was injured in a car accident. He's recovering, but the rehabilitation costs are expensive."
Graham glanced at the small bandage around her thumb.
"Did you get that from me?"
"No, sir. I cut it washing a glass."
"Show me."
She extended her hand.
He examined the injury without touching it.
"You're afraid of me."
Tabitha almost laughed, but the sound caught in her throat.
"Wouldn't you be?"
His mouth tightened.
"Most people are."
"Then perhaps you should ask yourself why."
Silence filled the bedroom.
Graham had spent his life surrounded by people who agreed with him. Men who feared his temper. Women who admired his wealth. Associates who calculated every word before speaking.
He wasn't accustomed to being questioned by a maid.
"You have a dangerous habit of saying things you shouldn't."
"I apologize."
"Stop apologizing."
She lowered her eyes.
Graham leaned back, wincing.
"Why didn't you run when I pointed that gun at you?"
Tabitha looked at him.
"Because you were bleeding."
"That isn't an answer."
"It is the only one I have."
He stared at her for a long moment.
Then he asked something she hadn't expected.
"Would you do it again?"
She looked at the bandage on his forehead.
"Yes."
His jaw tightened.
"That answer could get you killed."
Before she could respond, the bedroom door opened.
Anthony stepped inside without knocking.
"Boss, we found something."
Graham's face hardened.
"What?"
Anthony placed a transparent evidence bag on the bedside table.
Inside was a small silver button.
Tabitha recognized it immediately.
It belonged to the uniform she had worn the previous night.
Her hand flew to her chest.
One button was missing.
Graham noticed her reaction.
"Where did you get this?"
Anthony answered before she could.
"It was found beneath your desk. Near the bloodstains."
Graham looked at Tabitha.
"Did you leave it there?"
"No."
"Think carefully."
"I don't know how it got there."
Anthony folded his arms.
"Interesting. Someone was close enough to the boss to leave evidence, and the only person in the room was the maid."
Tabitha felt the blood drain from her face.
Graham slowly turned toward his security chief.
"Are you accusing her?"
"I'm saying we shouldn't dismiss the possibility."
Graham picked up the evidence bag.
Then he looked directly at Anthony.
"Find out who entered my study last night."
Anthony nodded.
"And Tabitha?"
"Yes, boss?"
"Until I say otherwise, nobody is to question her."
Anthony's expression flickered.
Because the button had not been planted to frame Tabitha.
May you like
It had been placed there to send a message.
And Anthony knew exactly who had put it there.
