Chapter 12 - THE TRAITOR IN OUR MIDST

I called every staff member together the next morning. The housekeeper, the cooks, the groundskeepers, the security team—everyone. I laid the letters on the table and told them exactly what Arthur had written.

“Someone is passing information to him,” I said, looking from face to face. “Someone who comes and goes. Someone who knows our routines. If that person is in this room… step forward now. Tell us the truth. And I will do everything in my power to protect you. If you do not… when we find you—and we will—you will face the same charges Arthur does. Betrayal. Conspiracy. Endangering a child.”

No one spoke. No one stepped forward. But I saw the flicker in the head gardener’s eyes—an old man who had been with the estate since before I was born. He looked away quickly, his hands trembling.

After the meeting, I followed him out to the gardens. He stopped beneath the great oak tree near the gate and turned to face me.

“He knows where Lily plays,” I said quietly. “He knows when she leaves the house. He knows who visits. You told him.”

The old man closed his eyes. He looked broken.

“He pays for my grandson’s medical bills,” he whispered. “He has been paying for years. I never wanted to hurt anyone. I just… I just wanted to keep my boy alive.”

“Who else?” I demanded.

“Only me,” he said. “He calls once a week. I tell him what I see. I never told him where she sleeps. I never told him the codes. I never let him inside. I swear it.”

I believed him. There was no malice in him—only fear. And Arthur had used that fear just as he used everything else.

“He will kill you when you are no longer useful,” I said. “Just like he killed Grace.”

The gardener flinched. “He wouldn’t—”

“He did,” I said. “And he will do the same to you. To your grandson. Unless you help us.”

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He looked at me, tears spilling down his weathered face. “What do you want me to do?”

“Call him tonight,” I said. “Tell him Lily is leaving the house. Tell him she will be at the old boathouse at midnight. Alone. And then… you will lead him straight into the trap we set.”