Chapter 15
“Why would she have access?”
“Because she worked with the foundation that handled the estate.”
Claire had not known Sophia worked for any foundation. Sophia had told everyone she was between positions, yet she had always seemed to know which charity events mattered to Adrian and which family members were having financial difficulties.
“How long has she known about the house?”
“Since the beginning.”
“And she watched me live in that mansion without telling me I owned one of my own?”
Margaret’s voice dropped. “I don’t know what Sophia intended.”
“Do you know what Adrian intended?”
“No.”
Claire rose from the table and walked to the window.
“Why are you telling me this now?”
“Because I should have told you earlier.”
“That’s not an answer.”
Margaret was silent for so long that Claire thought the call had dropped.
Finally, she said, “Because I found the original file.”
Claire turned.
“What file?”
“The one Adrian has been searching for.”
“What’s in it?”
“Your signature.”
Claire’s grip tightened around the phone.
“On what?”
“An agreement transferring the Lake Briar archive to you.”
The apartment seemed to grow very quiet.
“Transferring the archive?”
“Yes. Not just the house. The records inside it.”
“Why would I sign that?”
“I don’t know. But the document was witnessed by Sophia.”
Claire looked at Emily.
“Where is the file?”
“With me.”
“Can I see it?”
“Not yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because Adrian is coming to my house tonight. He believes I have the file.”
Claire felt a familiar pull in her chest—not affection, exactly, but the old instinct to prevent conflict.
“You need to give it to Daniel.”
“I will.”
“Then why wait?”
“Because there is a page missing.”
Claire frowned. “Which page?”
“The page describing what happens if you refuse the transfer.”
“Refuse what?”
Margaret took a breath.
“The archive was not given to you freely. It was placed in your name under a condition.”
Claire’s mind raced.
“What condition?”
“I don’t know. That is the page Adrian is searching for.”
A sound came from the hallway outside Claire’s apartment.
Footsteps.
Slow, then stopping directly beyond the door.
Emily stood.
Claire lowered her voice. “Are you alone?”
“Yes.”
“Then call someone.”
“I have security.”
“Margaret—”
“I’m not afraid of Adrian,” Margaret said quietly. “I’m afraid of what he will do if he finds the missing page first.”
The footsteps outside moved away.
Claire waited until she could no longer hear them.