Chapter 5 - THE UNCLE WHO KNEW LIAM'S SCHOOL
Victor Rainer arrived at four wearing a navy suit and the expression of a concerned uncle.
Audrey disliked him immediately.
Not because he looked dangerous.
Because he looked kind.
Men like Nicholas frightened people by entering a room.
Men like Victor made people relax first.
“Nick.”
Victor embraced his nephew.
Nicholas did not return it.
Victor noticed.
“So the rumors are true.”
“What rumors?”
“You suspended Graham.”
“I didn't realize Connecticut had received the newsletter.”
Victor smiled.
Then his gaze found Audrey.
“Miss Fallon.”
Her blood ran cold.
Nobody had introduced them.
Nicholas saw it.
“How do you know her?”
Victor appeared genuinely surprised by the question.
“She works here.”
“There are thirty-eight household employees.”
“Audrey has been here almost a year.”
Nicholas stepped slightly between them.
“You know all their names?”
Victor smiled.
“Your father taught me to notice people.”
Audrey almost said something.
Then Victor's gaze moved toward her arm.
The bruise was hidden beneath long sleeves today.
Still, she felt exposed.
“I hear there's been some unpleasantness.”
Nicholas's voice cooled.
“From whom?”
“Graham called.”
“What did he say?”
“That one of your employees made serious accusations while emotionally distressed.”
Audrey's nails pressed into her palm.
Nicholas noticed.
“He put those bruises on her.”
Victor sighed.
“Then dismiss him. Prosecute him if appropriate. But don't tear apart your organization because a frightened young woman—”
“Careful.”
Nicholas's voice wasn't loud.
Victor stopped.
Nicholas continued.
“You can discuss Graham without describing Audrey as unreliable.”
Something changed in Victor's face.
Very small.
But Audrey saw it.
Victor changed subjects.
“Where is her brother?”
Audrey froze.
Nicholas did too.
Victor seemed to realize what he'd said.
“What?”
Nicholas stared at him.
“Why are you asking about Liam?”
Victor smiled.
“If Graham threatened her family, surely the boy—”
“I never told you his name.”
Silence.
Not long.
Less than two seconds.
But enough.
Victor recovered.
“Graham must have.”
Nicholas looked at Audrey.
She knew a lie when she heard one.
Then Victor made it worse.
“I only hope the boy's school has proper security.”
Audrey's breath caught.
Nicholas went terrifyingly still.
“What school?”
Victor said nothing.
Nicholas stepped closer.
“I never told you Liam was at school.”
Victor's expression hardened.
“Don't be absurd.”
“My people never discussed him with you.”
“This is paranoia.”
“No.”
Nicholas looked at his uncle as though seeing him clearly for the first time.
“This is arithmetic.”
Audrey almost smiled despite herself.
He'd stolen one of her phrases from earlier.
Victor straightened his jacket.
“I came because I care about you.”
Nicholas nodded toward the door.
“Then care from Connecticut.”
Victor stared at him.
For one moment, the kind uncle disappeared.
Something old and ugly looked through his eyes.
Then he smiled again.
“As you wish.”
He left.
Reyes entered thirty seconds later.
“We have a problem.”
Nicholas turned.
“Liam's school received a call fifteen minutes ago.”
Audrey's knees weakened.
“From who?”
“Someone claiming to be Audrey.”
She stared.
“They said there was a family emergency and a driver would pick Liam up.”
Audrey grabbed her phone.
Liam answered.
“I'm fine.”
She nearly cried.
“The school counselor wouldn't release me.”
“Why?”
“Because you told Mrs. Adler yesterday nobody picks me up without the code word.”
Audrey closed her eyes.
Thank God.
“What was the driver wearing?”
“Black suit.”
“Did you see him?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you recognize him?”
A pause.
“He's one of the guys from the mansion.”
Nicholas took the phone.
“Liam, this is Nicholas Rainer.”
Another pause.
“Oh.”
Nicholas's mouth almost twitched.
“Can you describe him?”
“Bald. Beard. Missing part of his left eyebrow.”
Reyes immediately knew.
“Martin Crane.”
Audrey remembered the list in her father's vault.
One of Thomas's names.
Nicholas looked at Reyes.
“Find him.”
Reyes left.
Liam remained on the phone.
Then he said something strange.
“Audrey?”
“Yes?”
“Should I tell him about the envelopes?”
Her stomach tightened.
“What envelopes?”
“The money.”
Nicholas looked at her.
Audrey's voice became quiet.
“What money, Liam?”
“Suit Guy kept giving me envelopes.”
“When?”
“Since September.”
“Graham gave you cash?”
“Yeah.”
Audrey felt sick.
“I never spent it.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because you already work twelve hours a day and stress about everything.”
“How much?”
“I don't know. A lot.”
“Where is it?”
“In Dad's old record-player case.”
Nicholas asked, “Did Graham say why he was giving it to you?”
Liam hesitated.
“Yeah.”
“What did he say?”
“That Dad stole it first.”
Audrey stopped breathing.
May you like
Then Liam added:
“He said sooner or later you'd find out what kind of man Dad really was.”
