Chapter 6 - The Woman in the West Wing
Vanessa's mother, Evelyn Cross, had not been seen publicly in three years.
Officially, she lived in assisted care outside Boston.
Unofficially, according to Ethan's security chief, no facility in Massachusetts had any record of her.
"She was at the estate," Claire said.
Ethan looked up from his laptop.
They were back at the main house, surrounded by police, private security, and enough unanswered questions to make the place feel smaller by the hour.
"How could she be here without anyone knowing?"
Claire glanced toward the old west wing.
The section had been closed for renovations since before their wedding.
"Because everyone believes what Vanessa tells them."
Ethan followed her eyes.
"The west wing?"
"She manages the estate accounts. She controls maintenance access. She has keys to everything."
They crossed the main hall.
The west wing doors were locked.
Ethan used the master key.
It didn't fit.
"Changed lock," he said.
Claire stepped back.
"Break it."
He did.
The corridor beyond smelled like lavender, dust, and old heat.
Not abandoned.
Lived in.
Halfway down, they found a tray with fresh tea.
At the end was a bedroom.
Inside sat Evelyn Cross.
She was sixty-eight, thin, silver-haired, and very much not in assisted living.
She stared at Ethan like she'd been waiting for him.
"You shouldn't have come."
Ethan shut the door.
"Where is Emma?"
Evelyn's eyes flicked toward Claire.
"So she told you the name."
"We found a birth certificate."
"Then Vanessa failed."
Claire stepped forward.
"Did Vanessa push me?"
Evelyn's mouth tightened.
"Vanessa has always confused control with love."
"That's not an answer."
"Yes. She pushed you."
Ethan looked sick.
"Where is my daughter?"
Evelyn pressed her hands together.
"Safe for the moment."
"For the moment?"
"Vanessa is not the only person afraid of that child."
"Who else?"
Evelyn looked at the closed door.
"Your father left instructions before he died. If Emma was ever discovered, certain people would lose everything."
"What people?"
"People who built their lives on the Bennett trust."
Claire's pulse quickened.
"Why was Emma hidden?"
Evelyn's eyes filled.
"Because Mara tried to expose Richard."
"Expose him for what?"
A sound came from the hallway.
A soft metallic click.
Ethan moved toward the door.
Evelyn whispered, "Get down."
May you like
A bullet punched through the wood.
