Chapter 8 - THE MAN IN THE RECORDING|
Adrian listened to the recording three times.
The voice was unmistakable. It was his, younger by several years but still recognizable. He had been in his father's office on the night Sophia disappeared. He remembered arguing with Dominic about the family business, but he did not remember speaking those words.
"Your father didn't give the order, Sophia. He only paid for it."
Elena watched him.
"Did you say that?"
"I don't know."
"You don't remember?"
"I remember the night. I remember leaving the estate. I remember finding Sophia's car outside the east gate. I remember the ambulance."
"But not the conversation?"
"No."
He handed the phone to his security chief.
"Make copies. Send one to a forensic audio specialist. Nobody else hears this."
Elena looked at him.
"Why would someone record you?"
"To make me look responsible."
"Or because you were responsible."
The security chief stiffened.
Adrian's gaze moved to Elena.
"Do you think I killed my wife?"
"I think you're afraid of what the recording might prove."
He didn't deny it.
They returned to the estate just before sunset. Isabella was waiting in the entrance hall, clutching the old jacket.
"Elena!"
She ran toward her.
Elena crouched and hugged her.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better. Daddy said I can have ice cream."
"That sounds like excellent medical treatment."
Adrian watched them for a moment before turning to Margaret.
"Where is Celeste?"
"Upstairs."
"Bring her down."
Celeste appeared ten minutes later wearing a silk robe and an irritated expression.
"Adrian, I have a dinner reservation."
"Cancel it."
"What's happened now?"
He placed the photograph from the clinic on the table.
"Tell me why you were giving Isabella medication."
Celeste glanced at the image.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Dr. Howard says you requested the prescription."
"She was anxious. She couldn't sleep. I was helping."
"You gave a six-year-old a sedative without telling her father?"
Celeste's expression hardened.
"I was trying to protect her from your instability."
Adrian stepped closer.
"Don't use my daughter to excuse yourself."
Celeste looked toward Elena.
"This woman has poisoned your judgment."
Elena remained silent.
Celeste continued.
"She arrives with nothing, and suddenly she's in the center of every family secret. Don't you find that suspicious?"
Adrian's voice dropped.
"You're finished."
Celeste laughed.
"You can't throw me out of my own family."
"I can throw you out of my house."
She looked at him, then at the photograph.
For a moment, her composure cracked.
"You have no idea what Sophia was doing," she said. "She was going to destroy everything your father built."
"Maybe it deserved to be destroyed."
Celeste's face turned white.
Then she looked directly at Elena.
"Your mother was just as foolish."
Elena stepped forward.
"Did you know my mother?"
Celeste smiled faintly.
"I knew she was asking questions."
"Did you threaten her?"
"I warned her."
"Did you kill her?"
Celeste's smile vanished.
Adrian reached for her arm, but she pulled away.
"You think I'm the villain because you found a few old papers? Ask your precious doctor what happened to the woman who signed your mother's death certificate."
Elena went still.
"Who?"
Celeste looked at Adrian.
"Your father kept records. Ask him."
"My father is dead."
"Is he?"
The room became silent.
Adrian stared at her.
"What did you just say?"
Celeste's expression changed as she realized what she had revealed.
Before anyone could question her, the lights went out.
A crash came from upstairs.
Isabella screamed.
Elena ran toward the staircase.
Adrian followed, calling for security.
They found Isabella's bedroom door open and the curtains moving in the wind.
The window was broken.
The girl was gone.
On her pillow lay a small silver rose.
May you like
And beneath it was a note.
Bring the woman who found her. Come alone.
