Chapter 7
The third clue came from a security guard named Aaron Pike.
He requested a private meeting through Caroline.
Aaron had worked at the estate only nine months.
He had less loyalty to Helena than the older staff.
That was probably why he noticed something.
Three nights before Marina collapsed, he was stationed near the west service entrance.
Marina appeared carrying Nico.
No coat.
No bag.
Barely able to walk.
“She asked me to open the door.”
Damiano’s expression hardened.
“What did you do?”
“I asked where she was going.”
“She said?”
“Anywhere with a phone.”
Damiano looked away.
Aaron continued.
“I thought she was confused.”
“Why?”
“Mrs. Ricci had told security Marina was having postpartum anxiety.”
“Helena?”
“Yes.”
“She told us Mrs. Ricci might try to leave suddenly and that you had ordered us to keep her inside until a doctor cleared her.”
Damiano’s voice went cold.
“Did she show you my order?”
“No.”
“Then why did you believe her?”
Aaron did not answer.
He did not need to.
Damiano knew.
Aaron continued.
“I asked Marina to wait. I called inside.”
“Who answered?”
“Helena.”
“And?”
“She came down.”
“What happened?”
“She took the baby.”
Damiano looked at him.
Aaron’s face tightened.
“Marina started crying. Helena told me that was the anxiety she’d warned us about.”
Damiano slowly sat down.
“What did you do?”
“I let Helena take her back upstairs.”
He looked ashamed.
“I’m sorry.”
Damiano wanted to blame him.
It would have been satisfying.
It would also have been dishonest.
Aaron had been given a security protocol.
He believed the protocol came from Damiano.
He followed it.
The system had worked exactly as designed.
That was the horror of it.
Caroline asked Aaron one final question.
“Why come forward now?”
He hesitated.
“Because of the suitcase.”
Damiano looked up.
“What about it?”
“When Helena told us to pack it that morning, she also told me to have the lake-house security activated.”
“For Helena?”
Aaron shook his head.
May you like
“For the baby.”
The room became completely silent.
