A Passport in the Bucket
Chapter 03 - A Passport in the Bucket
Adrian took Grace to a hotel owned by an old friend and registered under a private name. He ordered soup, warm towels, and a doctor. The examination found no serious injury, but Grace was dehydrated, underfed, and terrified of being left alone. Every time footsteps passed in the hallway, she reached for Adrian’s sleeve.
He sat beside her until her breathing slowed. Then he asked about the passport.
Grace explained that she had overheard Vivian speaking with her brother, Julian Cross, in the library. Julian was chief financial officer of Hale Development, the company Adrian had built from a small design studio. Vivian had said that once Grace was “far enough away,” the trust papers could be completed without interference. Grace did not understand the details, but she understood that she was being sent away.
She had stolen the passport from Vivian’s desk and hidden it beneath the rag, hoping a staff member would find it. Vivian discovered the empty drawer and forced everyone to search. When Grace refused to confess, Vivian dressed her in a maid’s uniform and made her scrub the foyer as punishment.
“She said no one would believe a spoiled little girl,” Grace whispered.
Adrian’s guilt settled heavily in his chest. During his calls from Europe, Vivian had always arranged the camera so Grace appeared in the music room, smiling and freshly dressed. Whenever Grace tried to speak alone, Vivian interrupted. Adrian had accepted the explanation that his daughter was moody because she missed him.
Now he understood that every cheerful call had been staged.
He contacted Maya Chen, the family attorney who had represented him for fifteen years. When he described the ticket, the missing nanny, and Julian’s name, Maya became silent.
“Adrian,” she finally said, “Vivian asked my office for copies of your estate documents last month. We refused, but Julian later submitted an amendment carrying what appears to be your signature.”
“I signed nothing.”
“The amendment gives Vivian control of Grace’s trust if you become unavailable.”
Adrian looked at his sleeping daughter. “What does unavailable mean?”
“That is the dangerous question.”
Maya advised him not to confront Vivian again until they had evidence. Adrian agreed, but Grace’s hidden object could not remain in the house. After midnight, he returned through the service entrance with the security chief.
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Grace’s bedroom had been torn apart.
The dollhouse stood open on the carpet, and someone was already searching inside it.
