Chapter 9 - The Gala Trap
Adrian refused to bargain in private. Instead, he worked with investigators to turn the gala into a controlled operation. Guests were quietly notified of a security concern, and the event was reduced to a small, carefully monitored gathering.
I wanted to stay away. Then I remembered Evelyn's warning about the ballroom cameras.
"I can identify the service corridors," I told the lead investigator. "I've cleaned every one of them."
He agreed to take my statement and use my floor plan, but made clear that I would not be used as bait.
Sunday arrived under a cold, cloudless sky. I stayed at a nearby secure location while Adrian attended the shortened event with investigators positioned discreetly around the estate.
At eight fourteen, the ballroom lights flickered. The camera feed went black for eleven seconds.
A maintenance worker found an unauthorized control box connected to the system. Inside was a timer and a remote relay. Investigators secured it before anyone was hurt.
Then Vincent stepped to the microphone and began speaking as though nothing had happened.
Adrian walked toward him with two investigators.
Vincent smiled. "You should have listened to your father."
"My father is dead," Adrian replied. "His secrets don't have to survive him."
Vincent was arrested. But as officers led him away, he leaned toward Adrian and whispered something that made him stop.
An investigator called me moments later.
"Claire," she said, "Vincent claims your father is alive."
May you like
I sat down so suddenly the chair scraped the floor.
I didn't know whether the claim was a gift, a trap, or one final cruelty.
