Chapter 6 - Anna’s Credentials
Nobody believed Anna had returned.
A dead credential meant someone had kept access.
Archive system was old.
Anna’s account had never been deactivated because Ward 2 database was isolated.
Who knew password?
Victor did not.
Claire did not.
Eleanor claimed not.
Audit showed login from mansion itself.
Three nights earlier.
At 2:14 a.m.
Security cameras covered hall.
At 2:09, Eleanor entered east wing.
She went pale.
Victor stared.
“You.”
“I was looking for File 614 after envelope arrived.”
“So you lied.”
“Yes.”
“Did you use Anna’s account?”
“No.”
Video showed Eleanor leave at 2:31.
Could be.
Then another camera showed figure entering archive from service staircase at 2:12.
Face hidden.
So someone else was inside simultaneously.
Eleanor heard movement.
That was why she left quickly.
She had concealed it because she feared being accused.
Again secrecy.
Then Lily said something unexpected.
“I know that staircase.”
Claire crouched.
“How?”
“Mommy showed me.”
Impossible?
Anna died when Lily was three weeks old.
Lily could not remember.
Claire gently corrected.
“Maybe someone else showed you.”
Lily shook head.
“Mommy in videos.”
Anna had recorded videos during pregnancy.
Claire possessed many.
One showed mansion tour for future Lily.
They watched.
Anna walked through east wing.
At service staircase she said:
“This is where your grandmother Catherine showed me the door Grandpa Victor was never supposed to find.”
Victor stopped video.
Catherine had known archive.
Then Anna pointed camera toward old wooden panel.
“Behind it is why your last name might become important one day.”
She smiled sadly.
“But if I'm right, it won't be because of money.”
Video ended.
Victor whispered:
“What did you find, Anna?”
Another recording was corrupted.
Metadata labeled:
LILY — WHEN SHE TURNS SIX.
Claire froze.
Lily had turned six eight days ago.
Someone had accessed archive four days ago.
Maybe automated release?
They searched Anna’s digital estate.
A scheduled encrypted message existed.
Delivery date:
Lily’s sixth birthday.
Recipient:
Eleanor Whitmore.
Eleanor stared.
“I never received it.”
Delivery log said opened.
From Eleanor’s email.
Eight days ago.
Eleanor whispered:
“Someone is inside my account.”
May you like
Then Claire asked the obvious question.
“What did Anna send you?”
