Chapter 12 - A Second Key
The air inside the grand foyer felt ice cold.
Adrian felt as though the earth had split open right beneath his feet.
He slowly turned his head to look at Margaret sitting on the velvet sofa forty feet away.
Margaret was dabbing her eyes with a lace handkerchief, surrounded by terrified board members.
"My mother?" Adrian asked, his voice barely audible.
"Are you certain, Rachel?"
Rachel nodded firmly, her eyes steady and filled with quiet truth.
"I saw Mrs. Margaret Westwood walk out to her private car at eleven-fifteen that night," Rachel explained softly.
"She was carrying a black leather briefcase."
"She returned two hours later with wet shoes and a torn coat."
"The next morning, news broke that Mrs. Claire had crashed in Lake Forest at midnight."
Natalie stepped closer, having overheard Rachel’s whispered words.
Natalie’s jaw went slack in pure horror.
"Margaret was there?" Natalie gasped softly.
"She told the police she was in bed by ten o'clock that night!"
Adrian took a deep, agonizing breath.
The puzzle pieces were rearranging themselves into an even darker picture.
Claire’s letter said: She isn't acting alone.
Adrian had assumed Claire was referring to Caleb.
But Caleb was just a weak-willed gambling addict used as a pawn.
The real force pushing Madison into the family was Margaret.
"Rachel," Adrian spoke clearly, his tone transformed into sheer granite.
"Take Emma upstairs to my private master suite."
"Lock the doors from the inside."
"Do not open them for anyone except me."
"Yes, Mr. Westwood," Rachel answered immediately.
She took Emma’s hand and quickly led her up the grand staircase away from the lingering crowd.
Adrian turned to Natalie.
May you like
"Come with me," he said coldly.
"It's time to talk to my mother."
