The Hidden Panel
Chapter 10 - The Hidden Panel
When investigators finished their initial documentation of the mansion, Claire arranged supervised access to retrieve Nicholas's personal belongings. Salvatore went with Rosa and a representative from the investigation team. He did not bring Nicholas.
The library smelled of leather and cedar polish. Salvatore remembered Elena sitting behind the desk with receipts spread before her, telling him she wanted their foundation to deserve its name. He had kissed her forehead and said he was proud. Then he'd left for another meeting.
Rosa showed them the lower drawer. Its wood was carved with a pattern of leaves. Behind a decorative bracket lay a concealed panel secured by a small brass lock. The key from Nicholas's toy box fitted perfectly.
Inside was a cloth pouch, two photographs, and a tiny digital recorder. There was no enormous treasure, no magical confession. There were names, dates, and a woman's unfinished effort to understand financial wrongdoing. The investigator documented everything before removal.
One photograph showed Vanessa and Mercer outside a restaurant long before Vanessa claimed to know him. The other showed Sebastian Kroll meeting with an officer of Asterfield Advisory. The recorder held Elena's voice, dated four days before her death.
“If anyone hears this,” she began, “please don't assume I know everything. I know enough to be concerned. I found foundation money moving into companies that did no charitable work. I believe Julian and Sebastian are involved. Vanessa says she can help me, but I have begun to doubt her.”
There was a pause. Elena sounded frightened.
“Sal, Nicholas is the best thing we made. If I am wrong, forgive me. If I am right, please choose him over the things that keep you away from home.”
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Salvatore covered his eyes. That was the voice he had avoided listening to for four years. He had kept her recordings buried because grief made them unbearable. Now the sound carried a truth he had refused to face: Elena had asked for attention, and he'd promised later.
Outside, the estate's gates opened for an evidence transport vehicle. Salvatore stood in the sunlight, holding nothing. He was learning the difference between securing evidence and possessing it.
