Chapter 8 - THE WOMAN IN THE SECURITY FOOTAGE
The security footage from Harbor House showed someone entering the east wing at 2:14 a.m.
Three nights earlier.
The figure wore a dark coat and carried a small leather bag.
Their face was hidden beneath a hood.
But when they reached the library door, they removed a key from their pocket.
The door opened immediately.
I stared at the screen.
"That's a Whitcomb key."
Arthur nodded.
"An original."
Vivian leaned closer.
"Can we identify the person?"
The security technician replayed the footage.
The figure turned slightly.
A silver bracelet caught the light.
My stomach tightened.
I recognized that bracelet.
I'd given it to Rosa for her fiftieth birthday.
A simple silver chain with a tiny rose charm.
I stared.
"No."
Vivian looked at me.
"What?"
"That's Rosa."
Silence.
My housekeeper.
The woman who brought me coffee every morning.
The woman who stood beside me through Camden's betrayal.
The woman who'd told me she saw Sloane enter the library.
I felt sick.
"Why would Rosa be here?"
Arthur looked equally stunned.
"I don't know."
Vivian suggested we contact Rosa directly.
I nodded.
My hands trembled as I dialed.
She answered immediately.
"Mrs. Reed?"
"Rosa."
Her voice changed.
"Is something wrong?"
I took a breath.
"Have you been to Harbor House recently?"
Silence.
Then she whispered, "Yes."
My heart sank.
"Why?"
"I was trying to find something."
"What?"
She hesitated.
"A letter."
I looked toward Vivian.
"What letter?"
Rosa began crying.
"Your grandmother left it for me."
I stared.
"Grandmother?"
"Yes."
I sat slowly.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because she made me promise."
I closed my eyes.
More secrets.
More promises.
More people deciding what I should know.
"Rosa, please tell me the truth."
She took a shaky breath.
"Your grandmother knew Harrison Voss was dangerous."
I nodded.
"I know."
"She also knew he wasn't the only one."
My stomach tightened.
"What do you mean?"
Rosa hesitated.
"Someone inside the Whitcomb family helped him."
I froze.
"Who?"
She began crying harder.
"Your grandfather."
The room went silent.
My grandfather, James Whitcomb, had died when I was sixteen.
I'd adored him.
He taught me to sail.
Helped me build birdhouses.
Called me his little hawk.
Now Rosa was telling me he'd betrayed my grandmother.
I stared at the phone.
"Rosa, what did he do?"
She whispered, "He signed an agreement with Harrison Voss."
I felt cold.
"What agreement?"
"Something involving Harbor House."
May you like
Then she said the words that made my stomach drop.
"Your grandfather promised Harrison half the property."
