The Secret Hidden in the Silk
Chapter 03 - The Secret Hidden in the Silk
Detective Mara Chen returned to the church with Julian and Elena before sunrise. The white coffin remained beneath the altar, its broken panel covered by a cloth. Reporters crowded outside, but the sanctuary itself was empty except for the echo of their footsteps.
Evelyn had hidden the original ownership certificates for Hart Foods beneath the coffin lining before her supposed death. Weeks earlier, she had caught Victor replacing them with forgeries. She moved the originals to the one place he would never willingly inspect: her family coffin.
Julian lifted the silk lining and found a sealed envelope taped beneath the mattress. Inside were the certificates, the new will, and a handwritten note from Evelyn.
If you are reading this, trust Elena.
A sound came from the balcony.
Victor stepped from the shadows holding a small black case. He had returned to recover the papers before police could connect him to the stolen money. He insisted Evelyn had been confused and that Crane had only followed medical instructions. Then he offered Julian a deal: hand over the envelope, and Victor would disappear without damaging the Hart name.
Julian almost laughed.
“You put my mother in a coffin.”
Victor’s expression hardened. He claimed he never intended for Evelyn to die. The sedative was supposed to leave her unconscious long enough for him to gain temporary control of the company. Crane had panicked, signed the death certificate, and pushed for the immediate funeral.
Elena quietly activated the church’s livestream system from a control panel near the altar. Victor’s confession began broadcasting to the reporters outside.
Victor noticed the red camera light and lunged for the envelope. Julian pulled it away. During the struggle, the black case fell open, revealing forged passports, cash, and vials matching the sedative found in Evelyn’s blood.
Police rushed through both entrances.
Victor escaped through a side corridor leading beneath the church. Detective Chen followed, while Julian and Elena remained with the evidence. Minutes later, officers reported that Victor had reached the underground parking area and stolen a maintenance van.
He was heading toward the hospital.
Julian’s phone rang.
Evelyn’s nurse spoke in a frightened whisper. Someone wearing a hospital security uniform had entered the recovery floor with forged transfer papers.
By the time Julian reached his mother’s room, the bed was empty.
May you like
On the pillow lay a single white rose and a note in Victor’s handwriting.
Bring the ownership papers to the old Hart bakery. Come alone.
