Chapter 8: The Red Door
Dad arrived at the estate twenty minutes later.
He was accompanied by Detective Bennett and two uniformed officers.
The moment he saw the photograph, he grabbed my shoulders.
“Did you recognize him?””
“Martin.””
Dad stared at the screen.
“Are you sure?””
I nodded.
“Look at his ring.””
Dad enlarged the image.
Martin had worn that ring for as long as I could remember.
It was a silver band with a small black stone.
Dad turned toward the detective.
“We're going to the greenhouse.””
Detective Bennett shook her head.
“We'll go, but nobody enters until the officers secure the property.””
“I don't care how many officers you bring. If Martin is injured—”
“Mr. Hayes, rushing in could put your son in danger.””
Dad looked at me.
Then he nodded.
We drove to the old greenhouse in two vehicles.
The estate grounds were enormous, and the greenhouse stood beyond the rose garden, hidden behind a row of tall oak trees.
I'd only visited it twice.
The first time was when I was very young.
The second was after my mother died, when Dad locked it and told the staff never to enter again.
Now the red door stood slightly open.
Police officers approached from both sides.
“Police! Anyone inside?””
No answer.
They entered first.
Then Detective Bennett waved us forward.
The greenhouse smelled of damp soil and rust.
Broken flowerpots lay scattered across the floor.
The glass roof was covered in dirt, and vines had climbed over the metal frames.
At the far end, beside the old planting table, Martin was lying on his side.
Dad rushed toward him.
“Martin!””
The attorney groaned.
His forehead was bleeding.
An officer checked his pulse.
“He's alive.””
Dad knelt beside him.
“What happened?””
Martin slowly opened his eyes.
“Richard?””
“I'm here.””
Martin tried to sit up.
“Don't let her—”
“Who?””
“Victoria.””
Dad looked around.
“Where is she?””
Martin pointed toward the back wall.
“She took the ledger.””
Detective Bennett approached.
“What ledger?””
“The original records Sarah hid.””
I felt my heart pounding.
“Where was it?””
Martin pointed toward an old wooden planter.
I moved closer.
There was a loose panel underneath.
David helped lift it.
Inside was a metal box.
But it was empty.
Dad closed his eyes.
“She got it.””
Martin shook his head weakly.
“No.””
“What?””
“Not the original.””
He looked at me.
“Your mother was clever.””
I crouched beside him.
“What do you mean?””
Martin struggled to speak.
“She made a copy. The real ledger is still here.””
He pointed toward the planter.
I examined the empty compartment.
Then I noticed a narrow strip of red fabric caught between two wooden boards.
I pulled it gently.
A small metal cylinder slid out.
Inside was a folded document and a USB drive.
Dad stared at them.
“Sarah.””
He said her name as though it were a prayer.
Detective Bennett took the items carefully.
“We'll have these examined.””
Martin grabbed Dad's sleeve.
“Richard, there's something else.””
Dad leaned closer.
“What?””
“Daniel wasn't working alone.””
Dad looked at him.
“Who else?””
Martin swallowed.
“Victoria was the one moving the money, but Daniel handled the accounts. Someone inside the company approved the transfers.””
“Who?””
Martin looked directly at me.
Then at Dad.
“Your chief financial officer.””
Dad froze.
“Andrew?””
Martin nodded.
Andrew Mitchell had worked for Hayes Development for almost fifteen years.
He attended our Christmas parties.
He brought me expensive gifts.
He'd once taken me to a baseball game when Dad was traveling.
I couldn't believe it.
“Why would Andrew do this?””
Martin's voice was weak.
“Because he was promised a share of the company.””
Dad looked furious.
“By Victoria?””
Martin nodded.
“And by someone else.””
Detective Bennett leaned closer.
“Who?””
Martin looked toward the red door.
“Daniel.””
Before anyone could ask another question, a loud crash came from outside.
An officer shouted.
“Vehicle approaching!””
Everyone turned.
A black SUV was speeding toward the greenhouse.
David pushed me behind him.
“Down!””
The SUV stopped abruptly.
The driver's door opened.
A woman stepped out.
Victoria.
She wore a dark coat, her hair tied back.
In her hand was a small black object.
Dad stepped forward.
“Victoria!””
She smiled.
Not the warm, elegant smile she'd shown at the reception.
This was different.
Cold.
Almost amused.
“Richard.””
“Put it down.””
She looked at the officers.
“You have no idea what you're dealing with.””
Detective Bennett raised her voice.
“Mrs. Hayes, put your hands where we can see them.””
Victoria ignored her.
She looked directly at my father.
“Do you really think Sarah was innocent?””
Dad went still.
“What did you say?””
Victoria took one step closer.
“Your first wife wasn't the saint you remember.””
“Shut up.””
“She was stealing from you.””
Dad shook his head.
“That's a lie.””
“Ask Martin.””
Martin tried to stand.
“Don't listen to her.””
Victoria laughed.
“Tell him what Sarah planned to do with the money.””
Martin said nothing.
Dad looked between them.
“Martin?””
The attorney lowered his eyes.
Victoria's smile widened.
“Your precious wife was going to take half the company and leave you.””
“That's not true.””
“She was planning to run away with someone.””
Dad looked as though he'd been struck.
“Who?””
Victoria leaned closer.
“Your best friend.””
Silence.
Then she pointed toward Martin.
“Him.””
My father turned slowly.
Martin's face crumpled.
“Richard, please.””
Dad stared at him.
“Tell me she's lying.””
Martin opened his mouth.
But before he could speak, Victoria raised the black object.
A small remote.
She pressed a button.
Somewhere behind us, an alarm began to sound.
Then a loud mechanical click echoed from the greenhouse.
Detective Bennett shouted.
“Everyone out! Now!””
Victoria stepped backward.
And in the chaos, she disappeared behind the SUV.
I grabbed Dad's hand.
But he wasn't looking at me.
He was staring at Martin.
Because the attorney had finally spoken.
And his words were worse than anything Victoria had said.
“Richard, Sarah wasn't planning to run away with me.””
May you like
He swallowed.
“She was trying to save you from me.””
