Chapter 5: A Child’s Testimony
Before Danielle could formulate a response, a soft knock echoed at the open study door. Maria stood in the threshold, her expression tense and anxious. Beside her stood little Lily, clutching her stuffed rabbit tightly against her chest, her big blue eyes darting nervously between Julian and Danielle.
""Mr. Blackwood,"" Maria began cautiously, her voice barely above a whisper. ""I’m sorry to interrupt, but Lily is very upset. She says she needs to tell you something else about what happened on the stairs. Something she forgot to mention earlier because she was too scared of the loud noises.""
Julian pulled his gaze away from Danielle, softening instantly as he looked down at his niece. He knelt to eye level with the little girl, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder.
""It’s alright, sweetheart,"" Julian said, his tone transforming from harsh interrogation to protective warmth. ""You’re safe here. What else did you see?""
Lily looked up at Julian, then cast a quick, fearful glance at Danielle before speaking. ""The lady didn't just push Grandma,"" Lily whispered urgently, her lower lip trembling slightly. ""Before she did it, she took something out of her pocket and put it in her little shiny purse. Something heavy. Like a big metal book.""
Julian stood back up slowly, his eyes locking onto the small, sequined evening bag dangling from Danielle’s wrist. The purse was compact, but structured enough to hold a folded leather portfolio or important documents if they had been bent or divided.
Danielle’s composure finally cracked, just a fraction. A muscle twitched near her left eye, and she instinctively pulled the small bag closer to her body.
""This is absurd,"" Danielle snapped, her voice rising in defensive anger. ""You’re listening to the imaginative ramblings of a six-year-old child over the word of a woman you claimed to love just yesterday. Are we conducting a criminal trial in the middle of a hallway now?""
""It’s not a trial, Danielle,"" Julian said, his voice deadly quiet. ""It’s an inventory. Open the bag.""
""No,"" Danielle said firmly, taking a step backward toward the exit. ""This is a gross violation of my privacy. If you want to search my belongings, get a warrant. Until then, I am leaving this house.""
""You aren't going anywhere,"" Maria said quietly, stepping directly into the doorway, blocking Danielle’s only exit. The maid’s posture was immovable, her dark eyes filled with a steely resolve that surprised both adults in the room.
Julian didn't hesitate. He lunged forward with practiced quickness, grabbing the strap of the sequined purse before Danielle could dodge past him. With a sharp tug, the bag slipped from her grasp, spilling its contents across the Persian rug in the center of the study.
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As the lipstick, compact mirror, and car keys clattered against the floor, a folded cream-colored document protruded from the inner pocket. Julian knelt down, picked it up, and unfolded the heavy parchment. At the top, embossed in heavy black ink, was the official seal of the Blackwood Estate Trust.
***
