Chapter 8
I did not punish Marcus that night.
Not yet.
That surprised him.
Good.
People reveal more when they think the danger has passed.
I had Marcus placed under guard in the east lounge.
Celeste in the west.
Separate.
No phones.
No visitors.
Then I told the entire household one lie.
“There was a second recording.”
There wasn't.
I said Elena had hidden it inside the chapel.
That it contained names.
Times.
Everything.
Then I waited.
Marcus didn't move.
Celeste didn't either.
Someone else did.
At 2:13 a.m., one of my security men left his post and walked toward the chapel.
Rocco Vane.
Twelve years in my house.
I watched through the monitor as he checked the corridor twice before trying the chapel door.
Marco brought him to me.
Rocco took one look at Marcus and cursed.
I smiled.
“You believed there was a second tape.”
“No.”
“Then you went to pray?”
Silence.
Marcus laughed bitterly.
“Pathetic.”
Rocco turned on him.
“You said this was over.”
Marcus's face changed.
There it was.
Another layer.
I looked at Rocco.
“What was supposed to be over?”
He stared at the floor.
Marcus said:
“Don't.”
Rocco laughed.
“You threatening me now?”
“Yes.”
At least Marcus was honest.
Rocco looked at me.
“He paid me to watch the study.”
“For how long?”
“Two years.”
“Why?”
“To see if Lily ever went near the loose floor.”
My chest tightened.
They had been watching my daughter since she could barely walk.
“Did Celeste know?”
“Yes.”
From across the room, Celeste shouted:
“Liar!”
Rocco laughed.
“You used to send me pictures of the room.”
Celeste went quiet.
I turned toward her.
She stared at him with hatred.
Rocco continued.
“Marcus thought Elena might've hidden more than one recording.”
“Was there more?”
“I don't know.”
“Then why tonight?”
He hesitated.
“Because Lily found something.”
“The recorder.”
“Yes.”
“What was the plan?”
Rocco looked at Marcus.
Then at Celeste.
“They were supposed to get it before you opened the gift.”
“How?”
“Celeste would keep Lily outside until she gave it up.”
My jaw tightened.
“And if she didn't?”
Rocco looked away.
“Marcus said scare her.”
I felt something cold settle inside me.
“How?”
“He didn't say.”
Marcus smiled.
“She's three. What do you think we were going to do?”
I looked at him.
“I've learned not to assume there is a bottom with you.”
That wiped away the smile.
Rocco swallowed.
“There was another instruction.”
“What?”
“If you opened the recorder…”
He stopped.
I waited.
“What?”
“Take Lily through the patio service gate.”
The room went dead silent.
Celeste stared at Marcus.
Even she looked surprised.
Marcus looked at Rocco like he wanted him dead.
I stepped closer.
“You were going to take my daughter.”
Marcus said nothing.
Rocco answered.
“Only long enough to make you stop listening.”
There it was.
Again.
A child as leverage.
A frightened little girl used because grown men could not control her father any other way.
I looked at Marcus.
He lifted his chin.
“You would've stopped.”
“Yes.”
He smiled.
“So I was right.”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
That confused him.
“I would have stopped everything.”
Silence.
“I would have given you anything.”
Marcus's smile returned.
Then I finished.
May you like
“And after Lily was safe, I would have spent the rest of my life making sure you regretted believing that made me weak.”
His smile disappeared.
