Chapter 2 - THE WOMAN ABOVE THE STAIRCASE.
Margaret Ashford descended the staircase as though the open cellar were an inconvenience at a dinner party.
“Elena broke into this house,” she said. “Thomas contained a threat.”
Elena laughed bitterly from below.
“A maid is always called a threat when she knows where the ledgers are buried.”
Adrian ordered Thomas to help her out. Margaret objected, but the guards obeyed him. Elena emerged conscious, dusty and shaking, while Sophie remained safely behind another guard.
Margaret stared at the matching lockets.
“Cheap copies prove nothing.”
Elena opened hers. Inside was a tiny brass key and a photograph of Adrian’s wife, Claire, standing beside twelve uniformed mansion employees.
On the back Claire had written: THE HOUSEHOLD FUND BELONGS TO THEM.
Margaret called it sentimental nonsense.
Thomas answered, “Those employees surrendered wages when the Ashfords nearly lost the estate.”
Adrian looked around at the marble foyer.
“You mean the staff paid for this house?”
May you like
Elena pointed toward the east staircase.
“The proof is behind the door your mother sealed after Claire disappeared.”
