Chapter 7 - The Hidden Safe
The dark blue paint of the police cruiser seemed to absorb the flashing red and blue lights as Eleanor let out a sharp, jagged laugh. The sound was desperate, laced with the frantic energy of someone who realized they were sinking fast and wanted to drag everyone else down into the abyss with them. She leaned back against the leather seat of the car, her handcuffed wrists resting awkwardly in her lap, her dark hair slightly disheveled from the struggle.
“Arthur’s private study,” Eleanor said, a smug, vindictive smile touching the corners of her lips despite her humiliating position. “The wall safe behind the mahogany bookshelf. You think you found everything in his desk? You think that little yellowed envelope was the crown jewel?”
Clara stepped closer to the open door of the cruiser, ignoring the police officer who shot her a cautionary glance.
“What is in the safe, Eleanor?” Clara demanded, her voice losing its previous cool detachment.
“Evidence,” Eleanor whispered, her eyes gleaming with manic triumph. “Evidence that implicates not just me, but the entire board of directors—and your precious daughter, too.”
Clara’s expression hardened instantly.
“My daughter was three years old when you had her taken away from me. She has nothing to do with your corporate crimes.”
“Doesn’t she?” Eleanor mocked softly, tilting her head. “Check who holds the power of attorney on the primary trust fund feeding her art gallery in Manhattan. Check who signed off on the initial funding grant three years ago. You thought she found her success all on her own talent? Arthur funded every single gallery opening she ever had, using money funneled directly from the offshore accounts you are so eager to dismantle.”
Clara stepped back as if she had been physically struck. The blood drained from her face, leaving her older features looking remarkably fragile under the harsh cruiser lights.
“That’s impossible,” Clara murmured, shaking her head. “Maya doesn’t even know who Arthur was. She thinks her grandfather died in a car accident when she was an infant.”
“Families keep secrets, Clara,” Eleanor whispered, her smile widening as she watched the shock ripple through her old adversary. “And now that you’ve blown the lid off this house, Maya’s entire world is about to burn down right along with mine.”
The police officer gently pulled the cruiser door shut, cutting off Eleanor’s voice as the heavy metal clicked securely into place.
Clara stood frozen on the gravel driveway, watching through the tinted window as Eleanor’s smug face faded into the darkness. Mr. Harrison stepped up beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t listen to her, Clara,” the lawyer said gently. “She’s just trying to save herself by throwing out random accusations.”
Clara slowly turned her head to look at the towering mahogany doors of the mansion behind them.
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“She wasn't lying about the safe,” Clara whispered. “I saw Arthur sketch the blueprint behind his desk years ago.”
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