Chapter 2 - The Key in the Bear
Adrian locked the pool doors and called the family doctor.
Vanessa followed him into the living room.
"You're acting like I tried to kill her."
Adrian turned so fast she stopped.
"My daughter says you pushed her into a pool."
"She was leaning over the edge."
"She says you kicked her."
"She is seven."
"That doesn't make her stupid."
Vanessa's mouth tightened.
On the sofa, Sophie sat wrapped in a blanket while Maria, the longtime housekeeper, dried her hair.
The brass key rested in Adrian's palm.
317.
He had seen that numbering style before.
Not in the mansion.
At First Atlantic Private Bank.
His family kept estate documents there.
Vanessa seemed to read the thought on his face.
"It could be anything."
"Then why did you look scared when it fell out?"
"I was surprised."
"No. You were scared."
She stepped closer and lowered her voice.
"Adrian, grief has made Sophie cling to strange stories. You know that."
Sophie heard her.
"My stories aren't strange."
Vanessa looked over.
Sophie's little face hardened.
"Mommy said the pretty lady lies."
The room went silent.
Adrian felt something cold move through him.
"What pretty lady?"
Sophie looked at Vanessa.
Vanessa laughed too quickly.
"Oh, for God's sake."
Adrian raised a hand.
"Let her answer."
Sophie hugged the wet teddy bear.
"Mommy was crying. She put the key inside Teddy. She said if something happened, Daddy had to find the box."
Adrian sat beside her.
"What box?"
"I don't know."
"Did she say anything else?"
Sophie nodded.
"She said, 'Don't let Vanessa get it.'"
Vanessa's face went blank.
Adrian stared at her.
"You knew Claire?"
Vanessa recovered.
"Of course I knew her. We met at charity events."
"You told me you barely knew her."
"I barely did."
Maria made a small sound near the fireplace.
Adrian looked at her.
"What?"
Maria's hands were trembling.
"Mrs. Cole knew Miss Vanessa very well."
Vanessa spun around.
"Maria."
But the housekeeper kept looking at Adrian.
"She came here before Mrs. Cole died."
Adrian stood.
"How often?"
Maria swallowed.
"Many times."
Vanessa stepped toward her.
"That's enough."
Adrian moved between them.
"No. It isn't."
Maria's eyes filled with tears.
"The last time they argued, Mrs. Cole told me to take Sophie upstairs."
"What were they arguing about?"
Maria looked toward the brass key.
"Money."
Adrian's phone buzzed in his pocket.
A security alert.
POOL CAMERA: FOOTAGE DELETED.
Time stamp: three minutes ago.
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He looked up.
Vanessa was no longer in the room.
