The Song Inside the Box
Chapter 07 - The Song Inside the Box
The music box was kept in a locked cabinet in the memorial room. Adrian recognized it as the one Rose's grandfather had given her when she graduated from college. It played a quiet waltz and had a hidden lower compartment opened by the silver swallow key.
I stood beside the detective as Adrian turned the key. Inside were a tiny memory card and a folded paper. The paper contained account numbers and the initials L.P.
Investigators preserved the card and extracted the audio. Rose's voice came first, asking why payments intended for children were going to Leon's corporation. A man refused to answer. Vivian then said, “If Adrian finds out, you'll both regret making trouble.”
The recording did not prove who caused the crash. But it established a dispute and gave investigators people, dates, and transactions to examine. Adrian listened without speaking. He had believed the family foundation was the one part of his business life untouched by the underworld relationships he'd inherited.
That evening he called the board and requested an independent review. He also disclosed his own history of using intimidation to settle commercial disputes. It was painful and necessary. If he wanted accountability from others, he could not pretend his hands were clean.
I met Lucy in the garden after her counseling appointment. She asked if the music box would make her mother come home.
“I don't think music can do that,” I said. “But people are working hard to help you see her.”
Lucy frowned. “Daddy says he can buy anything.”
“Some things need patience instead.”
She thought this over and asked if I could teach her to fold a paper crane. We made six, each more lopsided than the last.
May you like
The following morning the police located Leon Price. He was living under his own name in Indiana, and he wanted immunity before he discussed the crash.
**When his lawyer finally called back, Leon had disappeared again.**
