Chapter 11 - Evelyn's Key
Evelyn Hale was waiting in the estate chapel when Naomi returned.
Not the police interview room.
Not Dominic's study.
The chapel.
As if stained glass could make the conversation cleaner.
Dominic walked in behind Naomi and closed the door.
"Your credential opened the staff corridor at 9:07," he said.
Evelyn didn't deny it.
"I was there."
"Did you put Vanessa's bracelet in Naomi's locker?"
"No."
"Then why were you there?"
Evelyn looked at Naomi.
"I was removing something."
Naomi's eyes narrowed.
"What?"
Evelyn opened her handbag and placed a tiny black device on the pew.
A listening transmitter.
Dominic stared.
"Where did you get that?"
"It was underneath Naomi's locker shelf."
Naomi picked it up with a tissue.
Professional hardware.
Not cheap.
"Why didn't you tell Owen?"
"Because Victor installed my home security system last year. I recognized the brand. I panicked."
Dominic's anger rose.
"So you removed evidence?"
"I was afraid Vanessa would know I had switched sides."
"Mother, this is not a board dinner. You don't get to switch sides quietly."
Evelyn flinched.
Naomi remained focused.
"Who else knew you were going to the staff corridor?"
"No one."
"Did you use your own badge?"
"Yes."
"Then Vanessa knew you were there as soon as she checked the log."
Evelyn understood.
The bracelet was not planted to frame Naomi alone.
It was planted after Evelyn removed the transmitter.
A message.
We see you.
We know what side you're on.
Owen entered with a detective.
"We found additional access," he said.
He handed Naomi a printed log.
Evelyn: 9:07.
Five minutes later: GUEST SERVICES MASTER.
"Who had the master credential?" Naomi asked.
Owen's face tightened.
"Three people. Me. Event operations. And Victor."
The detective took the transmitter.
"We need to speak with Mrs. Hale downtown."
Evelyn nodded.
For once, she didn't ask what could be handled privately.
As she stood, she touched Dominic's arm.
"There's something I didn't tell you about Mara."
Dominic pulled his arm away.
"What now?"
Evelyn looked at Naomi instead.
"The night Mara overdosed, Vanessa called me before the ambulance did."
Naomi felt cold.
"How long before?"
"Eleven minutes."
"What did she say?"
Evelyn's voice cracked.
"She said Mara was about to do something terrible to herself."
Naomi asked the only question that mattered.
"Where was Vanessa when she called?"
Evelyn swallowed.
"Inside Mara's apartment."
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