Chapter 21
She offered the envelope to me.
I hesitated.
Then I took it.
Inside were copies of bank transfers, handwritten notes, and a letter addressed to Alexander.
He read it silently.
The longer he looked, the more his face changed.
“What does it say?” I asked.
He handed it to me.
Alexander,
If you are reading this, I was unable to explain the accounts myself. The money was moved to prevent a larger theft. Someone inside the company has been using the security division to control routes and contracts. Father knows more than he admits. Do not trust the reports prepared by Elena.
Most important: Claire has nothing to do with this. She was placed near the center of the plan because they know you will sacrifice your judgment to protect the family name.
Trust her before it is too late.
Daniel.
I read the last line twice.
Alexander looked at me.
“I never saw this.”
“I believe you.”
His eyes lowered.
“That should not matter. I should have believed you without it.”
Before I could answer, the library doors opened.
Rebecca stood there.
Her face was pale, and one hand pressed against the wall.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
Marian looked at her.
Rebecca crossed the room slowly.
“I sent the first letter,” she said. “The one that brought Marian here. I didn’t write it in my own hand because I was afraid someone would recognize it.”
“Who?” Alexander asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Where have you been?”
“Trying to find Elena.”
“Did she bring Marian?”
Rebecca shook her head.
“No. Elena contacted me two days ago.”
The room went silent.
“What did she want?” I asked.
“She said she had been living under another name in Lisbon. She told me she was returning because she had finally found proof of who Rook was.”
Alexander’s attention sharpened.
“Where is she?”
“She was supposed to meet me at the old shipping office tomorrow morning.”
The note on the cellar wall seemed to answer her.
At breakfast, the missing witness will arrive.
Make sure she does not reach Claire.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Alexander asked.
“Because I didn’t know whom to trust.”
“You could have trusted me.”
Rebecca’s eyes filled, but she did not look away.
“No. I couldn’t. Not after watching you believe the lie.”
Alexander absorbed the words.
“I deserved that.”
“Yes,” she said quietly. “You did.”
No one contradicted her.