Chapter 2 - THE KEY IN THE APRON
The next morning, Sarah returned to the mansion to collect Evelyn’s
medication and a few personal things.
Luca’s security chief, Daniel, escorted her to the study. An independent
forensic accountant named Elena Park was waiting.
“I understand you helped Mrs. Moretti with correspondence,” Elena said.
Sarah nodded. “She asked me to write letters to families whose tuition
payments hadn’t arrived.”
“Did you keep the addresses?”
Sarah took a small notebook from her apron. “I copied them in case she
wanted to send another batch.”
Elena examined the names. “Every one appears in the fund’s original
scholarship register.”
Luca leaned forward. “So the payments were approved?”
“Yes. We need to find out why they never arrived.”
Sarah remembered Evelyn gripping her apron before the ambulance came.
“She was pointing at my pocket. I thought she wanted Mia’s photograph.”
Sarah turned the apron inside out. A small section of stitching near the
pocket was newer than the rest. She carefully opened it.
A brass key fell into her palm.
The number 12-B had been engraved near its teeth.
Daniel searched Evelyn’s private rooms and found an old writing desk
with a hidden lock. The key opened a narrow compartment.
Inside lay a blue ledger.
Luca turned the first page. His mother’s handwriting listed each child’s
name, the approved amount, and the date payment was due. A second column
recorded what had actually left the account.
The difference was enormous.
At the bottom of the page, Evelyn had written:
If anything happens to me, do not let them erase the children.
Elena took the ledger to make a forensic copy.
Sarah stared at the names. “Will they get their money?”
May you like
Luca met her eyes. “We’ll find out where it went. Then we’ll make sure
the children receive what was promised.”
