Chapter 3 - THE STRANGER WHO HAD ALREADY ENTERED THE HOUSE|
I had worked inside the Moretti mansion long enough to recognize every regular employee.
The man in the photograph wasn't one of them.
But the badge on his coat changed everything.
"Mr. Moretti," I whispered, "I think your staff records may explain how Daniel got inside."
Luca turned toward me.
"What records?"
"The temporary maintenance workers."
Vanessa's face tightened.
"Claire, this isn't the time."
I ignored her.
"Three weeks ago, someone hired an older man to inspect the heating system near the east wing."
Luca looked back at the photograph.
"His name?"
"Thomas Reed."
Margaret gripped my wrist.
"That was Daniel's mother's maiden name."
Frank closed his eyes.
"Oh, Daniel."
Vanessa crossed her arms.
"Coincidences happen."
"Then you won't mind showing us the employment application," Luca replied.
She stared at him.
"You're seriously going to investigate a maintenance worker during Christmas dinner?"
"I'm going to investigate anyone who might know why a dead man was standing outside my home."
The guests began whispering.
Victor Bellini stepped toward his daughter.
"Luca, perhaps a private conversation would be more appropriate."
"Perhaps," Luca said coldly, "you should sit down."
For the first time since I'd known him, Victor obeyed without another word.
Luca instructed his head of security, Michael Russo, to retrieve the employment files.
Then he turned to the guests.
"Christmas dinner is over."
Nobody argued.
Within minutes, chauffeurs were being summoned and expensive coats collected.
Margaret remained seated beside the fireplace.
I brought her warm tea and wrapped a wool blanket around her shoulders.
She stared at the empty plate.
"Do you think it's really him?"
I hesitated.
"I think someone wants us to believe it is."
She looked at me with exhausted eyes.
"That's not the same as knowing."
"No, ma'am."
Her voice became very small.
"For twenty years, I've spoken to a gravestone."
She touched her wedding ring.
"I told Daniel about every birthday, every winter, every Christmas I spent without him."
I felt tears rising.
"My mother used to say that love doesn't disappear just because the person you love is gone."
Margaret smiled sadly.
"Your mother was wise."
"She was."
"Is she still living?"
I shook my head.
"She died when I was nineteen."
Margaret reached for my hand.
"Then you understand what an empty chair feels like."
Before I could answer, Michael returned carrying a folder.
Luca opened it beside the fireplace.
The application contained a photograph of an older man wearing glasses and a gray maintenance uniform.
Margaret made a choking sound.
"Daniel."
Her fingers reached toward the paper.
"He looks older, but I'd know those eyes anywhere."
Frank leaned over Luca's shoulder.
"That's him."
Michael cleared his throat.
"There's something else, sir."
He placed a second document on the table.
"The worker's identification was approved without the normal background investigation."
Luca examined the signature.
"Who authorized it?"
Michael hesitated.
Vanessa stepped forward.
"I did."
Everyone turned.
She lifted her chin.
"The heating system needed urgent repairs before Christmas."
"Why didn't you inform me?" Luca asked.
"Because I didn't think you needed to approve every employee in your own home."
Frank stared at her.
"Did you know who he was?"
"Of course not."
"Then why did you cancel his assignment after only two days?"
Vanessa opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Michael looked surprised.
"Actually, sir, the assignment wasn't canceled."
He turned another page.
"Thomas Reed was granted permission to work unsupervised in the old west wing."
Luca frowned.
"That wing has been closed for years."
"Yes, sir."
"Who granted permission?"
Michael looked directly at Vanessa.
"Your wife."
A long silence followed.
Vanessa laughed nervously.
"This is absurd."
Luca took a step toward her.
"What's in the west wing?"
"Storage."
"What kind of storage?"
"Old furniture, photographs, family papers."
Frank suddenly grabbed his son's arm.
"Your grandfather's study."
Luca turned.
"What about it?"
Frank looked toward Victor.
"Daniel went there the night he tried to warn me."
Victor's jaw tightened.
"I don't know what you're suggesting."
Frank ignored him.
"That study contained records your grandfather kept concerning the family's transportation business."
Luca looked down at the folder.
"Michael, search the west wing."
Vanessa moved quickly.
"Absolutely not."
Everyone stared at her.
She caught herself.
"I mean, it's Christmas Eve, and the staff deserve to spend time with their families."
Michael waited for Luca's instructions.
"Search it," Luca said.
Vanessa's hands clenched at her sides.
Twenty minutes later, Michael returned.
His expression had changed.
"We found something."
He placed a folded gray coat on the table.
Margaret immediately stood.
"That's Daniel's."
She touched the worn collar.
"I repaired that seam myself."
Michael nodded.
"It was hidden behind an old cabinet."
Then he handed Luca a small piece of paper found inside the coat.
The handwriting was shaky.
But the message was unmistakable.
IF MARGARET COMES, KEEP THE PLATE AWAY FROM VANESSA.
Luca slowly raised his eyes.
His wife had gone completely pale.
"Vanessa," he whispered, "why would a man who's supposedly been dead for twenty years be afraid of you?"
Before she could respond, Michael's phone rang.
He listened for several seconds.
Then his face drained of color.
"Sir, the security cameras outside the west wing have been disabled."
Luca stepped closer.
"Since when?"
"Since seven forty-two this evening."
I checked the grandfather clock.
It was nearly eleven.
May you like
Michael swallowed.
"And one of our guards just found blood on the servants' staircase."
