Chapter 4 - The Man Who Guarded Every Secret
Richard Caldwell was halfway through packing a suitcase when Nicholas entered his bedroom.
The household manager turned toward the door.
“Mr. Grimaldi, I was preparing to visit my family.”
Nicholas closed the door behind him.
“Sit down.”
Richard hesitated.
“I don't understand.”
“Sit.”
Something in Nicholas's voice removed any possibility of argument.
Richard lowered himself into a chair.
Nicholas placed Isabella's photograph on the table.
“Do you recognize her?”
“Of course. Miss Isabella. A terrible tragedy.”
“Do you know Margaret Carter?”
Richard's eyes flickered.
“She worked here years ago.”
“Her daughter is the woman you threw into a blizzard tonight.”
“I had no idea they were related.”
Nicholas studied him.
Richard had served the Grimaldi family for fifteen years.
He had attended Nicholas's father's funeral, overseen renovations, managed household accounts, and handled every detail of the estate.
Nicholas had trusted him with almost everything.
Now he wasn't certain he knew the man at all.
“Emily says you know where Isabella is.”
Richard laughed nervously.
“That poor girl was freezing. She must have been delirious.”
“Then explain why her mother disappeared after Isabella did.”
“I don't know.”
“Explain why Isabella trusted Margaret.”
Richard stood.
“I've given this family fifteen years of loyal service!”
Nicholas didn't move.
“And you've just used the word loyal instead of answering my question.”
Luca entered carrying Richard's suitcase.
“Boss, we found this beneath the lining.”
He opened a small compartment.
Inside lay a weathered silver bracelet.
Nicholas recognized it instantly.
He had given it to Isabella on her seventeenth birthday.
A tiny engraving remained visible beneath the scratches.
Always your brother. N.
Nicholas looked up.
Richard's hands began trembling.
“Where did you get this?”
“I found it years ago.”
“Where?”
Richard backed toward the wall.
Then Nicholas noticed something else inside the suitcase.
A fresh airline ticket.
One-way.
Destination: Switzerland.
May you like
Purchased two hours before Emily broke the vase.
Someone had been preparing to run long before the accident.
