Chapter 8 - The Steel Case
Nathan’s case contained no cash.
No jewelry.
No bearer bonds.
It contained original corporate books.
Employee trust registers.
Margaret Blackwood’s estate instructions.
Richard’s handwritten corrections.
And the beneficial schedule.
Nathan photographed it before bringing case to manor.
He showed Eleanor image.
She demanded delete.
He refused.
They argued.
Then she grabbed printed copy and burned it in fireplace.
But digital image survived.
Nathan left case in basement for safekeeping while deciding how to disclose without destroying active companies.
Two nights later he returned with Martin Shaw.
Then vanished.
So who removed case now?
Anonymous caller knew it was missing before Claire did.
Possibilities narrowed.
Caller had access.
Maybe Nathan.
Maybe Martin before death.
Maybe another trustee.
Then Claire noticed security panel.
Basement door opened previous night at 2:14 a.m.
Code belonged to Eleanor.
She denied coming.
Could be copied.
Camera disabled.
Who knew code?
Eleanor.
Estate manager, Helen Price.
And Nathan.
Helen had worked at manor twenty-six years.
Claire found her in guesthouse.
Helen did not run.
She admitted opening basement.
“Last night?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Someone called.”
“Who?”
“Mr. Bennett.”
Claire nearly stopped breathing.
“Nathan?”
Helen nodded.
“I know his voice.”
“What did he say?”
“Move the case before Claire arrives.”
“Where is it?”
“I don't know.”
Helen had entered basement.
Case already gone.
Then voice called again.
Said leave immediately.
Helen obeyed.
Could be voice imitation.
Recording?
Caller manipulating multiple people.
Claire asked number.
Blocked.
Then Helen said one phrase:
“He called me Nell.”
Only Nathan called her Nell.
Could still be someone with knowledge.
Then Claire’s phone rang.
Same caller.
She answered without greeting.
Voice:
“You found Helen.”
“Are you Nathan?”
“No.”
“Prove it.”
The caller said:
“Nathan has a scar beneath his right knee from falling through greenhouse glass when he was eleven.”
Claire knew scar.
Private but not impossible.
Then:
“You asked him once why it looked like a crescent moon. He told you he fought a shark.”
Claire had never told anyone that conversation.
Nathan could have.
So caller knew him intimately.
“Where is he?”
Silence.
Then:
“The steel case is in the house.”
“Where?”
“Where Eleanor looks every day but never sees what’s behind it.”
Claire looked around mansion.
One object dominated foyer.
A massive portrait of Richard Blackwood.
Eleanor followed gaze.
“No.”
They removed portrait.
Behind it wasn't safe.
Just wood paneling.
But taped behind frame was a brass key.
Tag:
MARGARET’S ROOM.
Eleanor whispered:
“There is no Margaret’s room.”
Then Helen spoke from doorway.
“There used to be.”
“Where?”
May you like
Helen pointed down.
“Before Richard turned it into the basement archive.”
