Chapter 5 - The Speeding Phantom
The roar of a high-powered engine shattered the nocturnal silence of the estate. Bright headlights swept across the upper-story windows of Linden House, casting long, frantic shadows across the lawn. Marcus whirled away from the fountain, abandoning his search for Elena as he stared toward the front gates.
"Damn it!" Marcus cursed under his breath, breaking into a full sprint back toward the main driveway.
From her hiding spot behind the stone fountain, Elena peered out into the open. She watched as Marcus disappeared around the corner of the house. Grabbing her swollen stomach, she slowly emerged from the shadows, wincing as a sharp pain rippled through her lower back. She needed to reach the perimeter wall before they realized she was still on the grounds.
Suddenly, a flashlight beam flickered near the potting shed, illuminating a figure crouching near the side entrance. It wasn't Marcus. It was Sarah, the young housemaid, clutching a thick leather-bound portfolio against her chest.
Elena froze. "Sarah?" she whispered, loud enough to cut through the idle hum of the distant car engine.
The housemaid gasped, dropping her flashlight. The beam rolled across the grass, pointing straight up into the night sky. Sarah turned around, her face pale with terror. Her apron was stained with mud, and her hair was disheveled.
"Mrs. Elena! You shouldn't be out here," Sarah stammered, her eyes darting nervously toward the driveway where Marcus was shouting orders.
"You took the documents," Elena said, taking a cautious step forward. Her voice was firm, stripped of its previous fear. "You were in the study. You stole the papers from the safe."
Sarah backed away, shaking her head frantically. "I had to! Mr. Julian helped my family years ago. When he died, Mr. Marcus and Mrs. Clara planned to burn his true will and throw you out on the streets with nothing. I found the spare combination in the office desk last week."
Elena’s heart hammered against her ribs. So Julian had anticipated his family’s betrayal. He had left a safety net.
"Give them to me, Sarah," Elena pleaded, holding out her hand. "I am his wife. I can protect us both."
Before Sarah could hand over the leather portfolio, a heavy hand slammed down onto Sarah’s shoulder from behind. Both women screamed as a towering figure stepped out of the darkness, grabbing the portfolio right out of the maid's hands.
It wasn't Marcus. It was the estate chauffeur, David, holding a heavy metal tire iron with a wicked grin.
May you like
"Nice try, girls," David sneered. "Mr. Marcus wants a word with both of you."
---
