From the hallway came the slow tap of Evelyn's cane. Vivian turned. Evelyn stood in the doorway. She had heard everything. And for the first time, fear appeared openly on Vivian's face.
Evelyn's cane struck the marble floor once. The sharp sound stopped everyone inside the study. Vivian stood beside the open desk drawer while two private guards held Imani between them. Evelyn's diamond bracelet had just been pushed into Imani's apron pocket, and the flash drive containing the truth about the clinic fire rested against her waist.
Evelyn looked from the bracelet to Vivian. "Release her."
Vivian recovered quickly. "You don't understand what happened. I caught her stealing from your private drawer. I was—"
One guard loosened his grip, but Vivian lifted her hand. "Do not let her go."
Evelyn's expression hardened. "Those men work for my son, not for you."
"They work for the future, Mrs. Cross."
"You are not Mrs. Cross yet." The insult landed visibly.
Vivian crossed the room and lowered her voice. "You are confused. You've been forgetting things for months. By tomorrow, everyone will believe the maid manipulated you because of your declining health."
Evelyn stared at her. "So it is."
"The safe requires my fingerprint."
For the first time, one of the guards looked uncertain.
"You lie."
"Check the engraving," Evelyn ordered.
The older guard removed the bracelet from Imani's apron and turned it beneath the desk lamp. "There's no inscription."
"My husband's initials are engraved inside the real clasp," Evelyn said.
Vivian knew that. "No," Evelyn replied. "My mistake was allowing you into this family." She turned to the guards. "Leave us."
Neither man moved. "They answer to Marcus Hale."
"Then Marcus has already chosen his side."
Evelyn pressed her thumb against a brass plate. A section of the wall opened. "Go," she ordered.
Imani helped her through the narrow passage just as one guard overturned the chair. They entered a dark corridor running behind the mansion's private rooms. The wall closed behind them. Vivian's furious voice became muffled.
"She knows the record survived," Evelyn said breathing heavily. "She will not wait until the gala now."
"Where does this passage lead?"
"The winter garden and the old servants' stairs."
Imani removed the flash drive from her apron. "We need to give this to Damian. We need more than the video."
"Imani, stop. It contains your statement."
"My statement proves what I believe. Vivian's lawyers will call me confused, grieving, or manipulated. The original patient records prove what happened. My mother hid them."
"Yes, but I don't know where."
Evelyn looked at her. "You said your sister inherited Miriam's silver locket. The numbers inside it are not random. Miriam and I used a code based on medical trial files. The first two digits identify the building. The rest identify the storage room and cabinet. Talia has the locket at school."
"No, sir." The hidden corridor's stone walls blocked reception. They moved faster. When they reached the winter garden, the glass room was empty. Rain tapped against the ceiling. Evelyn leaned against a stone bench, struggling to catch her breath.
Again, nothing.
A photograph loaded. Talia stood outside her nursing school beside a black SUV. A man's hand gripped her shoulder.
Bring the drive to the gala.
Imani's knees weakened. "They have her."
Evelyn took the phone. "I should never have involved you. You didn't start this."
Another message appeared. Midnight. No police. Come alone.
Imani looked at the time. 10:42 p.m. The gala was less than 24 hours away, but whoever had taken Talia was already preparing the exchange.
"We give them the drive," Imani said.
Evelyn shook her head. "They will kill the evidence and keep your sister."
"Then what do you suggest?"
Before Evelyn could answer, the winter garden doors opened. Damian entered with Marcus Hale. Imani immediately stepped in front of Evelyn.
Marcus reached for his radio. Imani noticed a small burn mark near his cuff. The same reddish stain visible on the sleeve of one man in Evelyn's old clinic photograph. Her breath caught. Marcus had been there the night of the fire.
"Don't tell him anything," Imani warned.
Damian frowned. "Marcus."
Evelyn raised her cane toward the security chief. "He has been helping Vivian."
Marcus laughed. "Mrs. Cross is distressed. The maid broke into her study and frightened her."
Damian looked at his mother. "Is that true?"
"No."
Marcus turned toward Imani. "Empty your pockets." Marcus's pleasant expression disappeared. Then he removed a handgun from beneath his jacket.
"Tonight," he said.
Damian stepped forward. "Marcus, put the gun down."
"Give me the flash drive."
"You kidnapped my sister."
"I arranged insurance."
Damian stared at him in disbelief. "How long have you been working for the Hales?"
"Long enough to understand your father built his empire on secrets." Marcus moved closer. "Drive. Now."
As Marcus reached for it, Evelyn pressed the silver handle of her cane. A hidden blade shot from its base and sliced across his gun hand. Damian tackled him into the stone fountain. Imani grabbed Evelyn and ran toward the garden doors.
But Vivian appeared outside with four guards surrounding Talia. Talia's hands were tied. Vivian pressed a small pistol against her side.