Chapter 4 - A SMALL WITNESS
The next afternoon, Grace and Lily returned to the Moretti mansion.
Grace wore her cleanest navy dress. Lily wore a yellow cardigan over her pink pajamas because she had refused to put on anything else.
A guard escorted them to Lucas's private sitting room.
He was seated in a leather chair near the windows, looking pale but alert. A physician had insisted he remain under observation for another day. Lucas had ignored the suggestion to rest in bed.
Lily stopped at the doorway.
“Hello, mister.”
Lucas's expression softened.
“Hello, Lily.”
Grace stepped forward. “Mr. Moretti, I apologize for bringing her here. I know the rules.”
“Sit down.”
She obeyed cautiously.
Lucas looked at Lily. “You saved my life.”
The child shrugged, embarrassed. “I just used my medicine.”
“You did something brave.”
“My mommy says brave means doing the right thing even when you're scared.”
Lucas glanced at Grace.
“Your mother sounds wise.”
She smiled weakly. “She also says I should never let strangers praise me too much.”
For the first time in years, Lucas almost laughed.
He leaned forward. “Lily, I need to ask you about something. You won't be in trouble.”
She nodded.
“Yesterday, did you see anyone near me before I fell?”
Lily thought carefully.
“I heard a door.”
“What kind of door?”
“The little door by the big mirror. The one that goes to the hallway with the paintings.”
Grace frowned. “Lily, you were supposed to stay in the laundry room.”
“I know. But I heard a bang.”
Lucas looked at Daniel, who stood near the fireplace.
“Continue,” Lucas said.
Lily twisted the hem of her cardigan.
“A man came out. He was holding something small. He looked at me, but I hid behind the flower table.”
“Could you see his face?”
“Not all of it. He had a shiny snake ring.”
Lucas's eyes moved to Daniel.
Daniel's expression hardened.
“Did you see anything else?” Lucas asked.
“He put something in his pocket. Then he went away.”
“Which direction?”
Lily pointed toward the east corridor.
Lucas sat back.
Grace reached for her daughter's hand. “That's enough, sweetheart.”
“It's all right,” Lucas said. “You've helped me.”
He turned to Daniel.
“Check the service corridor. Get the camera footage.”
Daniel nodded.
Grace looked uneasy. “Mr. Moretti, I don't want Lily involved in anything dangerous.”
“Neither do I.”
“Then please let us go home.”
Lucas studied her for a moment.
“You can leave. Your employment is not at risk because you brought your daughter here. But I need to know if anyone approaches you or asks questions about what Lily saw.”
Grace's face tightened. “Why would anyone do that?”
“Because someone may have tried to kill me.”
The room seemed to grow colder.
Grace pulled Lily closer.
“Then we should leave now.”
Lucas nodded to the guard. “Arrange a car. Take them directly home. Two men will remain outside the building, at a distance. They won't approach unless there's a threat.”
“I don't need guards,” Grace said.
“You may not. But your daughter has become a witness.”
Grace looked at Lily.
The little girl was staring at Lucas.
“Are you going to get better?”
“I intend to.”
“Good. You shouldn't die. Your house is too big.”
Daniel laughed under his breath.
Lucas looked at the child for a long moment.
“I'll try to stay alive.”
After they left, Daniel brought him the first camera report.
The footage from the east corridor had been erased.
Not corrupted. Not lost.
Erased manually using an administrator account.
Daniel placed a printed access log on the table.
“The deletion came from the security office.”
May you like
Lucas looked at the name attached to the access credential.
Victor Romano.
