Chapter 1 - THE ENVELOPE UNDER THE BOOK
Amelia stared at the black envelope.
The word written across it was unmistakable.
SAPPHIRE.
Graham's handwriting.
She reached for it.
Then stopped.
The library door opened behind her.
Theodore stood there.
He looked at the envelope.
“You found it.”
Amelia turned.
“What is this?”
The old man closed the door.
“Something I hoped I would never have to show you.”
Her heart began beating faster.
“Does Graham know you have this?”
“No.”
“Does Celeste?”
“No.”
“Then why is her name connected to a sapphire?”
Theodore walked to the desk.
“Because that ring isn't simply jewelry.”
Amelia looked toward the dining room.
Celeste was still laughing with Graham.
“She thinks she's won.”
Theodore's expression hardened.
“She has no idea what she's wearing.”
Amelia lowered her voice.
“What is it?”
“A key.”
“To what?”
“The truth.”
He opened the envelope.
Inside was an old black-and-white photograph.
A young woman stood beside Theodore's late wife.
Both women were smiling.
On the woman's finger was the same sapphire ring.
Amelia recognized her immediately.
“That's Graham's grandmother.”
“Yes.”
“And the other woman?”
Theodore hesitated.
“My sister.”
Amelia frowned.
“I've never heard of your sister.”
“Exactly.”
He turned the photograph over.
Written on the back were three words.
MARGARET'S DAUGHTER.
Amelia stared.
“Who is Margaret?”
“My sister.”
“And her daughter?”
Theodore looked at the library door.
“That's where the story becomes dangerous.”
Before Amelia could ask another question, footsteps approached.
Theodore quickly put the photograph away.
“Don't tell Graham about this.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't know how much he knows.”
The door opened.
Graham entered.
He looked between them.
“What are you two doing?”
Theodore smiled.
“Talking.”
Graham glanced at the desk.
“About what?”
“Your marriage.”
Graham stiffened.
Amelia watched him carefully.
“Actually,” she said, “we were discussing Celeste.”
Graham's jaw tightened.
“Grandfather, this isn't appropriate.”
Theodore leaned on his cane.
“Bringing another woman into my family home wasn't appropriate.”
Graham looked furious.
Then his eyes moved toward Amelia.
“You don't understand.”
“Then explain it.”
He said nothing.
Theodore suddenly spoke.
“Graham.”
“Yes?”
“Where did Celeste get that ring?”
Graham's face changed.
“I bought it.”
“No.”
Theodore's voice became cold.
“You didn't.”
Graham looked away.
Amelia noticed.
And for the first time, she understood.
The sapphire had not been a gift.
It had been taken.
Theodore stepped closer.
“That ring disappeared from this house twenty-seven years ago.”
Graham swallowed.
“Grandfather…”
“Who gave it to you?”
Graham remained silent.
Theodore's eyes hardened.
“Who?”
Finally, Graham whispered:
“My mother.”
The room went completely still.
May you like
Because Graham's mother had been dead for eleven years.
And Theodore knew she had never possessed the sapphire.
