Chapter 7: The Ten-Min## Chapter 7: The Ten-Minute Countdown
The countdown on Rebecca's computer reached 09:41 when Adrian finally moved.
He pulled theute Countdown
The countdown on Rebecca's computer reached 09:41 when Adrian finally moved.
He pulled the power cable from the wall, but the screen remained illuminated.
09:40.
09:39.
09:38.
Then power cable from the wall, but the screen remained illuminated.
09:40.
09:39.
09:38.
Then the speakers crackled.
A man's voice emerged from the static.
“Hello, Adrian.””
Adrian went rigid.
I had never heard a voice sound so calm while delivering a threat.
“Who is this?”” Adrian demanded.
A quiet the speakers crackled.
A man's voice emerged from the static.
“Hello, Adrian.””
Adrian went rigid.
I had never heard a voice sound so calm while delivering a threat.
“Who is this?”” Adrian demanded.
A quiet laugh came through the speakers.
“You've always been a man who believes money can solve anything. I'm surprised it took you two years to open a box your sister practically begged laugh came through the speakers.
“You've always been a man who believes money can solve anything. I'm surprised it took you two years to open a box your sister practically begged you to find.””
Adrian gripped the edge of the desk.
“Marcus?””
“Good. You remember me.””
“Where is Rebecca?””
“Still asking the wrong questions.””
Adrian slammed his palm against the desk.
“Tell you to find.””
Adrian gripped the edge of the desk.
“Marcus?””
“Good. You remember me.””
“Where is Rebecca?””
“Still asking the wrong questions.””
Adrian slammed his palm against the desk.
“Tell me where my sister is!””
The voice paused.
Then it said, “Look behind you.””
I spun around.
Nothing moved in the narrow passage.
The open panel stood against the wall, revealing me where my sister is!””
The voice paused.
Then it said, “Look behind you.””
I spun around.
Nothing moved in the narrow passage.
The open panel stood against the wall, revealing the empty corridor beyond. Sunlight filtered through the windows at the opposite end.
But as I looked toward the painting, I noticed something I hadn't seen before.
A tiny red light blinked from the ceiling.
A camera.
Someone had been watching us enter the empty corridor beyond. Sunlight filtered through the windows at the opposite end.
But as I looked toward the painting, I noticed something I hadn't seen before.
A tiny red light blinked from the ceiling.
A camera.
Someone had been watching us enter the hidden room.
“Adrian,” I whispered.
“There's a camera.””
He looked up.
The red light went dark.
From the speakers came another quiet laugh.
“Marissa Cole,” the hidden room.
“Adrian,” I whispered.
“There's a camera.””
He looked up.
The red light went dark.
From the speakers came another quiet laugh.
“Marissa Cole,” the voice said.
“The new housekeeper. You've certainly made yourself useful.””
My blood ran cold.
“How do you know my name?”” I demanded.
“Because I've been the voice said.
“The new housekeeper. You've certainly made yourself useful.””
My blood ran cold.
“How do you know my name?”” I demanded.
“Because I've been watching this house for a very long time.””
Adrian moved between me and the computer.
“If you come anywhere near Marissa or Lily, I'll find you.””
“You couldn't find watching this house for a very long time.””
Adrian moved between me and the computer.
“If you come anywhere near Marissa or Lily, I'll find you.””
“You couldn't find your own sister.””
The words landed like a slap.
Adrian's face twisted with anger.
“Where is she?””
The countdown reached 08:52.
“Come to your own sister.””
The words landed like a slap.
Adrian's face twisted with anger.
“Where is she?””
The countdown reached 08:52.
“Come to the old boathouse at the eastern lake,” Marcus replied.
“Come alone. Bring the photograph from Rebecca's desk, and don't bring the police.””
“Why should I the old boathouse at the eastern lake,” Marcus replied.
“Come alone. Bring the photograph from Rebecca's desk, and don't bring the police.””
“Why should I trust you?””
“You shouldn't.””
The answer was immediate.
“Trust is a luxury, Adrian. You have eight minutes and forty seconds left to decide whether you want answers or another funeral.””
The screen went black.
For several seconds, the room was silent.
Then Adrian seized the photograph of trust you?””
“You shouldn't.””
The answer was immediate.
“Trust is a luxury, Adrian. You have eight minutes and forty seconds left to decide whether you want answers or another funeral.””
The screen went black.
For several seconds, the room was silent.
Then Adrian seized the photograph of Rebecca and Marcus and shoved it into his coat pocket.
“I'm going.””
“No,” I said.
He turned toward me.
“Marissa, this is my sister.””
“And Lily's uncle. She has already lost her mother—or believes she has. If something happens to you, who Rebecca and Marcus and shoved it into his coat pocket.
“I'm going.””
“No,” I said.
He turned toward me.
“Marissa, this is my sister.””
“And Lily's uncle. She has already lost her mother—or believes she has. If something happens to you, who will protect her?””
He looked away.
I stepped closer.
“Marcus knows your name, your movements, and what's inside this house. He knows about the box. He knows about the will protect her?””
He looked away.
I stepped closer.
“Marcus knows your name, your movements, and what's inside this house. He knows about the box. He knows about the hidden room. Walking into a meeting with him alone is exactly what he wants.””
Adrian glanced at the black computer screen.
“What do you suggest?””
“We call the police again. We tell them about the threat. We let professionals handle it.””
“He specifically hidden room. Walking into a meeting with him alone is exactly what he wants.””
Adrian glanced at the black computer screen.
“What do you suggest?””
“We call the police again. We tell them about the threat. We let professionals handle it.””
“He specifically told me not to bring them.””
“Because he wants control.””
Adrian's jaw tightened.
Then he took out his phone.
“I'll call the detective handling the missing-child report. told me not to bring them.””
“Because he wants control.””
Adrian's jaw tightened.
Then he took out his phone.
“I'll call the detective handling the missing-child report. But I'm not waiting here while someone threatens my family.””
He dialed.
A woman answered almost immediately.
“Detective Harris.””
“This is Adrian Whitmore. I need to report a direct threat connected to my sister's disappearance.””
“Mr. But I'm not waiting here while someone threatens my family.””
He dialed.
A woman answered almost immediately.
“Detective Harris.””
“This is Adrian Whitmore. I need to report a direct threat connected to my sister's disappearance.””
“Mr. Whitmore, we've already dispatched officers to your estate. What's happened?””
Adrian explained the countdown, the recording, and the message from Marcus Vale.
The detective asked several Whitmore, we've already dispatched officers to your estate. What's happened?””
Adrian explained the countdown, the recording, and the message from Marcus Vale.
The detective asked several questions, then told him not to approach the boathouse.
“Mr. Whitmore, we need to secure the property and preserve the evidence. Do not touch the computer again.””
“Under questions, then told him not to approach the boathouse.
“Mr. Whitmore, we need to secure the property and preserve the evidence. Do not touch the computer again.””
“Understood.””
“And please don't attempt to contact this man yourself.””
Adrian looked at me.
“I won't.””
He ended the call.
For the first time that morning, I felt a small measure of relief.
Then astood.””
“And please don't attempt to contact this man yourself.””
Adrian looked at me.
“I won't.””
He ended the call.
For the first time that morning, I felt a small measure of relief.
Then a crash sounded from the hallway.
We hurried through the hidden passage.
Victoria stood in the study, holding a heavy brass candlestick. A desk drawer hung open beside her, and several folders lay scattered across the floor.
She turned when we entered.
For crash sounded from the hallway.
We hurried through the hidden passage.
Victoria stood in the study, holding a heavy brass candlestick. A desk drawer hung open beside her, and several folders lay scattered across the floor.
She turned when we entered.
For one split second, her face revealed genuine panic.
Then she dropped the candlestick onto the desk.
“What are you doing in here?””
Adrian stared at the scattered papers.
“What one split second, her face revealed genuine panic.
Then she dropped the candlestick onto the desk.
“What are you doing in here?””
Adrian stared at the scattered papers.
“What are you doing?””
“I was looking for Lily's medical records.””
“In Rebecca's hidden room?””
Victoria lifted her chin.
“I heard you were searching the west wing. are you doing?””
“I was looking for Lily's medical records.””
“In Rebecca's hidden room?””
Victoria lifted her chin.
“I heard you were searching the west wing. I assumed you might need help.””
I looked at the open drawer.
One folder was missing.
The label on the remaining folders read **TRUST ACCOUNTS — RE I assumed you might need help.””
I looked at the open drawer.
One folder was missing.
The label on the remaining folders read *TRUST ACCOUNTS — REBECCA OLESO*.
“Where's the folder that was here?”” I asked.
Victoria looked at me.
“Excuse me?””
“The one you took.””
“I haven'tBECCA OLESO**.
“Where's the folder that was here?”” I asked.
Victoria looked at me.
“Excuse me?””
“The one you took.””
“I haven't taken anything.””
“Then why is the drawer empty?””
Victoria stepped toward me.
“You are becoming tiresome, Marissa.””
Adrian raised a hand.
“Enough. Step away from the desk.””
She stopped.
For a moment, her face looked almost unrecognizable. taken anything.””
“Then why is the drawer empty?””
Victoria stepped toward me.
“You are becoming tiresome, Marissa.””
Adrian raised a hand.
“Enough. Step away from the desk.””
She stopped.
For a moment, her face looked almost unrecognizable. The polished hostess was gone. Beneath the makeup and expensive clothes was a woman who had been cornered.
“You think you've solved something,” she said.
“You haven't. You have no idea what Rebecca The polished hostess was gone. Beneath the makeup and expensive clothes was a woman who had been cornered.
“You think you've solved something,” she said.
“You haven't. You have no idea what Rebecca was involved in.””
“Then explain it,” Adrian replied.
“I don't owe you an explanation.””
“You owe Lily the truth.””
Victoria laughed bitterly.
“Lily? That child has been nothing but trouble since the day she was born.””
The words hung in the air.
Adrian was involved in.””
“Then explain it,” Adrian replied.
“I don't owe you an explanation.””
“You owe Lily the truth.””
Victoria laughed bitterly.
“Lily? That child has been nothing but trouble since the day she was born.””
The words hung in the air.
Adrian's expression changed.
“Say that again.””
Victoria seemed to realize what she had revealed.
“I didn't mean—”
“You called an eight-year-old girl trouble.””
“She's expression changed.
“Say that again.””
Victoria seemed to realize what she had revealed.
“I didn't mean—”
“You called an eight-year-old girl trouble.””
“She ruined everything!””
Her voice echoed through the study.
Silence followed.
Victoria's chest rose and fell.
Then she looked toward the open panel ruined everything!””
Her voice echoed through the study.
Silence followed.
Victoria's chest rose and fell.
Then she looked toward the open panel.
“You should never have opened that room.””
Adrian stepped closer.
“Why?””
“Because Rebecca wasn't the person you remember.””
“Stop using my sister's name to excuse your behavior.””
Victoria's eyes filled with tears.
But this time, there was no attempt to look.
“You should never have opened that room.””
Adrian stepped closer.
“Why?””
“Because Rebecca wasn't the person you remember.””
“Stop using my sister's name to excuse your behavior.””
Victoria's eyes filled with tears.
But this time, there was no attempt to look sympathetic.
“You want to know why I hated Rebecca?”” she demanded.
“Because she could walk into a room and make everyone love her. She had no money, no influence, no power, and people still chose her over me.””
Adrian stared at her.
“So sympathetic.
“You want to know why I hated Rebecca?”” she demanded.
“Because she could walk into a room and make everyone love her. She had no money, no influence, no power, and people still chose her over me.””
Adrian stared at her.
“So you punished her daughter?””
Victoria's mouth trembled.
“I protected this family.””
“No. You protected yourself.””
A distant siren sounded outside.
Victoria looked toward the window.
Then she grabbed her handbag.
“I'm leaving.””
Ad you punished her daughter?””
Victoria's mouth trembled.
“I protected this family.””
“No. You protected yourself.””
A distant siren sounded outside.
Victoria looked toward the window.
Then she grabbed her handbag.
“I'm leaving.””
Adrian moved toward the doorway.
“Not until the police arrive.””
“You can't detain me.””
“No. But I can ask you to explain why you were searching a room you claimed didn'trian moved toward the doorway.
“Not until the police arrive.””
“You can't detain me.””
“No. But I can ask you to explain why you were searching a room you claimed didn't exist.””
She tried to push past him.
He didn't touch her. He simply stepped aside and allowed her to walk into the hallway.
At the top of the stairs, she stopped exist.””
She tried to push past him.
He didn't touch her. He simply stepped aside and allowed her to walk into the hallway.
At the top of the stairs, she stopped.
“Adrian, when you discover what Rebecca really did, don't come crying to me.””
Then she disappeared into her private sitting room.
Within minutes, two uniformed officers arrived with Detective Harris, a woman in her early forties with short.
“Adrian, when you discover what Rebecca really did, don't come crying to me.””
Then she disappeared into her private sitting room.
Within minutes, two uniformed officers arrived with Detective Harris, a woman in her early forties with short brown hair and a steady, assessing gaze.
She listened to our account in the study, examined the computer, and photographed the hidden room.
When she saw the photograph of Marcus Vale, she frowned.
“Where did you get this?””
“Rebecca's desk,” Adrian answered.
Detective brown hair and a steady, assessing gaze.
She listened to our account in the study, examined the computer, and photographed the hidden room.
When she saw the photograph of Marcus Vale, she frowned.
“Where did you get this?””
“Rebecca's desk,” Adrian answered.
Detective Harris studied it.
“Marcus Vale was reported missing two years ago. His car was found abandoned outside the city. There was no confirmed sighting after that.””
“Could Harris studied it.
“Marcus Vale was reported missing two years ago. His car was found abandoned outside the city. There was no confirmed sighting after that.””
“Could he have been involved in Rebecca's accident?””
“Possibly. But we'll need evidence.””
She looked toward the corridor.
“Where is Mrs. Whitmore?””
“In her sitting room,” Adrian he have been involved in Rebecca's accident?””
“Possibly. But we'll need evidence.””
She looked toward the corridor.
“Where is Mrs. Whitmore?””
“In her sitting room,” Adrian said.
“Please ask her to remain there.””
An officer went upstairs.
A moment later, he returned alone.
“She's said.
“Please ask her to remain there.””
An officer went upstairs.
A moment later, he returned alone.
“She's not there, Detective.””
Adrian's face tightened.
“What do you mean, she's not there?””
“The room is empty. There's a door leading to the service staircase, and the rear exit is not there, Detective.””
Adrian's face tightened.
“What do you mean, she's not there?””
“The room is empty. There's a door leading to the service staircase, and the rear exit is open.””
Detective Harris immediately radioed for officers to search the grounds.
I looked at Adrian.
“She knew the police were coming.””
He nodded grimly open.””
Detective Harris immediately radioed for officers to search the grounds.
I looked at Adrian.
“She knew the police were coming.””
He nodded grimly.
“She was buying time.””
Detective Harris turned toward the hidden room.
“Mr. Whitmore, did you discover anything else?””
Adrian handed her Rebecca's letter and the photograph.
He.
“She was buying time.””
Detective Harris turned toward the hidden room.
“Mr. Whitmore, did you discover anything else?””
Adrian handed her Rebecca's letter and the photograph.
He explained the recording, the unfinished message, and the threat displayed on the computer.
The detective listened carefully.
When he finished, she looked at the photograph again.
“Marcus may be trying to lure you somewhere. We need to consider explained the recording, the unfinished message, and the threat displayed on the computer.
The detective listened carefully.
When he finished, she looked at the photograph again.
“Marcus may be trying to lure you somewhere. We need to consider that possibility.””
“I understand.””
“Then you'll stay here.””
Adrian hesitated.
Detective Harris held his gaze.
“Your niece is missing, your wife has fled the property, and someone may be monitoring this house. I need you to help me protect the child, not create another emergency.””
He finally nodded.
“I'll stay that possibility.””
“I understand.””
“Then you'll stay here.””
Adrian hesitated.
Detective Harris held his gaze.
“Your niece is missing, your wife has fled the property, and someone may be monitoring this house. I need you to help me protect the child, not create another emergency.””
He finally nodded.
“I'll stay.””
An officer came downstairs carrying a sealed evidence bag.
Inside was a small black device removed from behind the computer.
“Wireless transmitter,” he reported.
“It's been connected to the.””
An officer came downstairs carrying a sealed evidence bag.
Inside was a small black device removed from behind the computer.
“Wireless transmitter,” he reported.
“It's been connected to the system.””
Detective Harris examined it.
“Someone could have been communicating with the computer remotely.””
“Can you trace it?”” I asked.
“We'll try.””
She looked toward the ceiling camera.
system.””
Detective Harris examined it.
“Someone could have been communicating with the computer remotely.””
“Can you trace it?”” I asked.
“We'll try.””
She looked toward the ceiling camera.
“And we'll need to determine what else has been installed in this house.””
Adrian's phone rang.
The number was unknown.
He showed the detective.
She nodded for him to answer on speaker.
“Hello“And we'll need to determine what else has been installed in this house.””
Adrian's phone rang.
The number was unknown.
He showed the detective.
She nodded for him to answer on speaker.
“Hello?””
A man's voice came through.
Not Marcus.
This voice was younger, rougher, and breathless.
“Mr. Whitmore, my name is Daniel Mercer. I was Rebecca's attorney.””
Adrian grabbed the phone.
“Daniel! Where have you been?””
A man's voice came through.
Not Marcus.
This voice was younger, rougher, and breathless.
“Mr. Whitmore, my name is Daniel Mercer. I was Rebecca's attorney.””
Adrian grabbed the phone.
“Daniel! Where have you been?””
“I can't explain over the phone. You need to listen to me. Victoria has been looking for the original trust documents. If she gets them, Lily will lose everything.””
“Where are you?””
“Somewhere safe. For now.””
“Do you know where Rebecca is?””
Daniel fell silent.
Adrian's grip tightened around the phone.
“Daniel?””
?””
“I can't explain over the phone. You need to listen to me. Victoria has been looking for the original trust documents. If she gets them, Lily will lose everything.””
“Where are you?””
“Somewhere safe. For now.””
“Do you know where Rebecca is?””
Daniel fell silent.
Adrian's grip tightened around the phone.
“Daniel?””
“I know what happened the night of the accident,” the attorney whispered.
“And I know who helped Victoria arrange it.””
Detective Harris leaned closer.
“Mr. Mercer, this is Detective Harris. We need you to come in and give a formal“I know what happened the night of the accident,” the attorney whispered.
“And I know who helped Victoria arrange it.””
Detective Harris leaned closer.
“Mr. Mercer, this is Detective Harris. We need you to come in and give a formal statement.””
A faint sound came through the line.
A door opening.
Then Daniel's breathing quickened.
“Wait. Someone's here.””
“Daniel, where are you?”” Adrian demanded.
“I have to go. But statement.””
A faint sound came through the line.
A door opening.
Then Daniel's breathing quickened.
“Wait. Someone's here.””
“Daniel, where are you?”” Adrian demanded.
“I have to go. But listen carefully. Don't trust anyone who tells you Rebecca died in that car.””
The call cut off.
Adrian stared at the phone.
Detective Harris immediately began tracing the call listen carefully. Don't trust anyone who tells you Rebecca died in that car.””
The call cut off.
Adrian stared at the phone.
Detective Harris immediately began tracing the call.
I turned toward the staircase.
Lily stood at the top, holding the wooden rabbit.
She had heard everything.
Her lips trembled.
“Marissa?””
I hurried toward her.
“Yes.
I turned toward the staircase.
Lily stood at the top, holding the wooden rabbit.
She had heard everything.
Her lips trembled.
“Marissa?””
I hurried toward her.
“Yes, sweetheart?””
“Does that mean my mom might still be alive?””
I looked at Adrian.
He was staring at the dark computer screen, his face filled with a hope so fragile that I was afraid to breathe near it.
I knelt beside Lily.
“I don't, sweetheart?””
“Does that mean my mom might still be alive?””
I looked at Adrian.
He was staring at the dark computer screen, his face filled with a hope so fragile that I was afraid to breathe near it.
I knelt beside Lily.
“I don't know yet.””
She lowered her head.
“Mom told me she would come back for me.””
I took her hand.
“Then we'll keep looking until we know the truth.””
Lily looked at me, tears shining know yet.””
She lowered her head.
“Mom told me she would come back for me.””
I took her hand.
“Then we'll keep looking until we know the truth.””
Lily looked at me, tears shining in her eyes.
“But there's something I haven't told you.””
“What is it?””
She glanced toward Detective Harris.
Then she leaned close enough that only I could hear her.
“The night Mom disappeared, I heard Aunt Victoria talking to someone on the phone.””
My in her eyes.
“But there's something I haven't told you.””
“What is it?””
She glanced toward Detective Harris.
Then she leaned close enough that only I could hear her.
“The night Mom disappeared, I heard Aunt Victoria talking to someone on the phone.””
My pulse quickened.
“What did she say?””
Lily swallowed.
“She said the woman was still alive, but they couldn't keep her hidden forever.””
I stared at her.
“Did she say the woman's name?””
Lily nodded.
Then she whispered the words that made the entire world seem to stop.
“She pulse quickened.
“What did she say?””
Lily swallowed.
“She said the woman was still alive, but they couldn't keep her hidden forever.””
I stared at her.
“Did she say the woman's name?””
Lily nodded.
Then she whispered the words that made the entire world seem to stop.
May you like
“She said, 'Rebecca won't be a problem once we move her again.''”
said, 'Rebecca won't be a problem once we move her again.''”
