Chapter 3 - REBECCA’S WARNING
Alexander listened again.
The message was short.
Too short.
Rebecca had clearly recorded it quickly.
“Marcus knows I discovered who arranged the first attack on you.”
“It wasn’t him.”
Then nothing.
Alexander searched the music box.
No second recording.
No note.
Sophia sat on the carpet holding the hem of Rebecca’s old curtain.
Alexander watched his daughter.
“What did Mommy say about Grandma?”
Sophia looked at him.
“Grandma angry.”
“Why?”
“Mommy say no more secrets.”
Elizabeth went pale.
Alexander noticed.
“You know something.”
She hesitated.
Then nodded.
Two weeks before Rebecca died, she asked Elizabeth to stay late.
Rebecca was frightened.
Not frantic.
Focused.
She said she had discovered something about the Sterling family that Alexander needed to know.
“What?”
“She wouldn’t tell me.”
Alexander’s jaw tightened.
“She said if she told too many people, your mother would know where to look.”
There it was.
Victoria.
Again.
Alexander carried Sophia back downstairs.
He did not confront his mother immediately.
Instead he went to Marcus.
His brother sat in the library with Daniel beside the door.
Marcus looked up.
“You done frightening the staff?”
Alexander placed Rebecca’s recorder on the table.
Marcus stopped.
He recognized it.
“You saw this before.”
“No.”
“Marcus.”
His brother looked away.
Alexander pressed play.
Rebecca’s voice filled the library.
Marcus closed his eyes.
When the message ended, Alexander leaned closer.
“She says you knew.”
Marcus exhaled.
“I knew she was investigating something.”
“What?”
“Mom.”
Alexander stared.
Marcus stood.
“Not because Rebecca thought Mom tried to kill you.”
“She thought Mom was covering for somebody.”
“Who?”
Marcus looked toward the door.
Then lowered his voice.
“Our father.”
Alexander froze.
Edmund Sterling had been dead twelve years.
Marcus continued.
Rebecca discovered their father had kept a private group of loyal men outside Alexander’s authority.
After Edmund died, Victoria maintained contact with them.
They were older now.
Mostly retired.
But still loyal to the version of the Sterling family Edmund built.
Alexander had spent fifteen years changing that family.
No intimidation of staff.
No private punishments.
No using the name to frighten local businesses.
The old men hated it.
Rebecca believed one of them had organized Alexander’s ambush.
“Why would Mom cover for them?”
Marcus laughed bitterly.
“Because she still thinks Dad was right about you.”
Alexander’s expression hardened.
Victoria had always called his reforms temporary.
Necessary for appearances.
She never openly challenged him.
Apparently she never accepted them either.
“Why were you fighting Rebecca?”
Marcus looked ashamed.
“Because she wanted to tell you before she knew who did it.”
“And you?”
“I told her accusing Mom without proof would split the family.”
Alexander stared.
“So you threatened her.”
“No.”
“Sophia remembers you shouting.”
“I shouted.”
“Why?”
“Because Rebecca said she was taking Sophia and leaving the estate until you came home.”
Alexander went still.
Marcus continued.
“I told her she was overreacting.”
“You told my wife she couldn’t leave with my daughter?”
“I told her—”
Alexander slammed one hand against the table.
Marcus stopped.
Then Alexander asked the only question that mattered.
“What happened on the terrace?”
Marcus looked at him.
“I left first.”
“Did you touch her?”
“No.”
“Did she fall while you were there?”
“No.”
“You’re certain?”
“Yes.”
Marcus looked genuinely sick.
“When I walked out, she was alive.”
Alexander watched him carefully.
“Who stayed behind?”
Marcus did not answer.
Alexander already knew.
“Mother.”
Marcus nodded.
The room became silent.
Then Daniel moved near the window.
“Sir.”
Alexander looked over.
Daniel had been examining Rebecca’s recorder.
“There’s damage along the back.”
He removed the battery cover.
A tiny folded photograph sat behind it.
Alexander opened it.
Rebecca stood beside an elderly man Alexander recognized.
Samuel Price.
His father’s former driver.
The man officially died three years ago.
On the back Rebecca had written:
Samuel is alive.
Victoria knows where he is.
Alexander looked toward Marcus.
Marcus went pale.
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Because Samuel Price had been the only surviving witness to Edmund Sterling’s final night.
And according to the family story, Samuel had died before anyone could question him.
