Chapter 3 - Beneath the House
Nathan had lived in the Cole estate since he was sixteen.
He knew every hallway.
Every wine room.
Every storage chamber.
At least he thought he did.
Grace led him into the old library.
Victoria followed because Nathan refused to let her out of his sight.
Lily stayed with Nathan’s longtime housekeeper, Mrs. Alvarez.
Grace walked toward a built-in bookshelf.
She counted six shelves down.
Then pressed her palm against a carved wooden rose.
A soft click sounded.
Nathan stared.
Part of the bookshelf moved forward.
Behind it was a narrow steel door.
Victoria whispered a curse.
Nathan heard her.
“So you knew.”
“No.”
“You looked directly at the door.”
“I was surprised.”
Grace placed the silver key into the lock.
It turned halfway.
Then stopped.
“Another key.”
Nathan frowned.
“Where?”
“Your father had it.”
“He’s dead.”
Grace looked at Victoria.
“Someone else has it now.”
Victoria laughed bitterly.
“You expect him to believe I carry secret keys to hidden rooms?”
Grace didn’t answer.
Nathan stepped closer to the steel door.
A small engraved plate was set into the frame.
C.C.
Charles Cole.
Nathan touched it.
His father had suffered a fatal heart attack eleven months earlier.
Nathan had spent months mourning a man he believed had been controlling but honorable.
Now every memory felt contaminated.
His phone rang.
His attorney, Daniel Mercer.
Nathan answered.
“Daniel.”
“Nathan, where are you?”
“At home.”
“Stay there.”
Something in Daniel’s voice made Nathan straighten.
“Why?”
“There are police officers driving toward the estate.”
Nathan glanced toward Grace.
“What happened?”
“They have a warrant.”
“For what?”
Daniel hesitated.
“Grace Bennett.”
Grace heard her name.
Her face changed.
Nathan put the phone on speaker.
Daniel continued.
“She’s being investigated for kidnapping a minor, identity fraud, and attempted international flight.”
Nathan stared at Grace.
“That’s impossible.”
“There’s more.”
“What?”
“Airport security records show she bought two tickets to Mexico City for tonight.”
Grace stood.
“I didn’t.”
Daniel continued.
“Police say the child’s birth records list another man as the father.”
Nathan’s pulse pounded.
Grace looked horrified.
“I never listed anyone.”
Victoria slowly folded her arms.
Nathan caught the movement.
Too calm.
Far too calm.
Daniel spoke again.
“Nathan, they also have hospital records stating Grace was treated for severe psychiatric instability after Lily’s birth.”
Grace’s face went white.
“That never happened.”
Nathan turned toward Victoria.
Victoria lifted her chin.
“You wanted evidence.”
Nathan walked closer.
“You knew they were coming.”
“I knew Grace was dangerous.”
“How?”
Victoria didn’t answer.
Sirens sounded outside.
Grace grabbed Nathan’s sleeve.
“If they take Lily, I may never see her again.”
Nathan looked toward the hidden steel door.
Then toward the windows.
Police vehicles were entering the driveway.
He made his decision.
“Daniel.”
“Yes?”
“You’re my attorney.”
“Yes.”
“Then get here.”
May you like
Nathan looked directly at Victoria.
“Because nobody takes my daughter out of this house until I know who created those records.”
