The Music Room Key
Chapter 07 - The Music Room Key
Hannah didn't recognize Samuel's voice. She refused to meet him alone and sent his number to Miriam Ross with a description of the call.
Samuel, it turned out, had once managed accounts for Moretti Freight. He had resigned shortly before Elena's death and disappeared from most industry circles afterward.
When Miriam contacted him, he agreed to a meeting at her office. Adrian attended with an independent investigator. Samuel arrived carrying a worn briefcase and the anxious expression of a man who had rehearsed his explanation for years.
“Elena believed payments were being routed through shell contractors,” he said. “She wanted a second opinion before going to law enforcement.”
“Was Vincent involved?” Adrian asked.
“I saw his approvals on some documents. I can't tell you whether they were legitimate.”
“Then why disappear?”
Samuel looked down. “Someone threatened my wife.”
He had kept copies of several records, but not enough to establish who controlled the accounts. Elena had told him that if anything happened to her, she had stored additional material where Adrian would never allow anyone else to rummage.
“The music room,” Adrian whispered.
Elena had played piano every evening. After her death, the room was locked. Vincent called it a kindness, so Adrian wouldn't be reminded of her.
They entered the room that night. The air smelled faintly of cedar and dust. Elena's grand piano stood beneath a sheet. A framed photograph showed her sitting at the keys with baby Lucia on her lap.
Adrian opened the bench. Sheet music, a tuning cloth, and a small wooden case lay inside. The case had a brass lock.
Lucia, peering through the doorway, said, “Mommy hid the little key in the yellow bird.”
Adrian turned.
On a shelf stood a ceramic yellow canary Elena had bought at a flea market. Inside its hollow base was a tiny key.
The wooden case opened with a soft click.
May you like
Inside were a memory card, a handwritten note, and a photograph of Elena with Samuel outside a downtown café.
The note read: ADRIAN—PLEASE LOOK AT THE NUMBERS BEFORE YOU TRUST THEIR STORY.
