Chapter 2 - THE TEMPORARY EMPLOYEE
The estate infirmary smelled of antiseptic and wet wool.
Claire sat on a narrow bed while a nurse examined her shoulder. She had
bruised it against the submerged wheelchair, but nothing appeared
broken. The nurse warned her to return if she developed a cough or
difficulty breathing.
Outside the door, voices rose and fell. Guests were being interviewed.
Julian had been moved to his private suite and was under observation.
Claire had asked twice to leave.
Both times, someone said Mr. Vescari wanted to speak with her.
At last, Gabriel Knox entered carrying a tablet.
“Miss Bennett.”
“Mr. Knox.”
“You caused quite a disturbance.”
“I pulled your employer out of the water.”
“You were not authorized to enter the lake.”
Claire stared at him. “Was I supposed to request permission first?”
His expression did not change. “You were fortunate not to injure him.
Mr. Vescari has a serious spinal injury. Moving him incorrectly could
have caused permanent damage.”
“He was drowning.”
“His safety is my responsibility.”
“Then why were you standing still?”
Gabriel ignored the question. “Your employment file says you worked at a
hotel in Hartford before coming here. We called them. They have no
record of you.”
Claire’s stomach tightened. She had expected this eventually.
“I was hired through a contractor.”
“Which contractor?”
“I don’t remember.”
“You don’t remember who paid you?”
“Why are you investigating my work history instead of the device?”
“Because people who lie about small things often lie about larger ones.”
Claire met his eyes. “Then perhaps you should ask yourself why that
device had my brother’s initials on it.”
Gabriel’s hand tightened around the tablet.
“What brother?”
“Andrew Bennett. He worked here.”
“I don’t know anyone by that name.”
“He was a mechanic and security technician. He died twenty-six months
ago.”
Gabriel’s face became unreadable.
“Your brother was involved in an accident.”
“That is what the police report says.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Because he sent me a message before he died.”
“What message?”
“Ask Julian Vescari about the blue ledger.”
Gabriel looked toward the door.
“You should leave the estate as soon as the doctor clears you.”
“Mr. Vescari asked me to stay.”
“He is recovering from a near-drowning. He doesn’t need you confusing
him with old stories.”
The door opened.
“No,” Julian said. “She isn’t leaving.”
He sat in his powered wheelchair just outside the infirmary. A dark
blanket covered his legs. His face was pale, but his eyes were alert.
“Gabriel, go downstairs.”
“Sir, I was only—”
“Go.”
Gabriel hesitated, then left.
Julian rolled into the room.
“Andrew Bennett was your brother?”
Claire nodded.
“You knew him?”
“He worked for me.”
“What happened?”
“He maintained vehicles, access systems, and security equipment. He was
good at finding problems before anyone else noticed them.”
“Then you know he didn’t die in an ordinary accident.”
Julian looked at her for a long moment.
“I know he died in a vehicle crash. I know the brakes failed. I know the
official investigation blamed a maintenance error.”
“He was the maintenance technician. Why did the report say he failed to
inspect the car?”
Julian’s jaw tightened.
“Because I was unconscious when the investigation began, and Gabriel
handled the security records.”
“You trusted him?”
“I trusted him with my life.”
“Maybe that was the problem.”
Julian accepted the accusation without anger.
“What did Andrew send you?”
Claire showed him the message on her phone. Julian read it twice.
“Your brother was trying to warn me.”
“About what?”
May you like
He looked toward the lake.
“About the person who said he saved my life.”
