Chapter 6
I carried Emmett out of Amara’s room.
He did not argue.
That scared me.
Children argue when they feel safe.
My son simply wrapped his arms around my neck and buried his face against my shoulder.
In the hall, my head of security, Mateo, waited.
“Get the car,” I said.
His eyes moved to the album in my hand.
“Trouble?”
“More than trouble.”
The unknown woman was still on the phone.
“Who are you?” I demanded.
“My name is Nora Vale. I was your wife’s nurse.”
I stopped walking.
“Amara’s nurse was named Beth.”
“Beth was Lucille’s choice,” Nora said. “I was removed two weeks before Amara died.”
My stomach turned.
“Why call now?”
“Because your son tried to give me a cookie tonight.”
I froze.
“You were at the party?”
“I work catering under another name. I needed to see if the boy was safe.”
I looked at Emmett.
His eyes widened.
“The lady with the blue scarf?”
Nora’s breath caught.
“He remembers.”
“What do you know?”
“Enough to be afraid. Lucille has a judge ready. She wanted you to explode tonight. She wanted witnesses.”
I thought of the overturned dessert table.
My rage.
My mother’s strange fear.
“She got what she wanted,” I said.
“No,” Nora replied. “She wanted you alone. Instead, your son gave you the key.”
A crash sounded downstairs.
Mateo touched his earpiece.
“Sir, Mrs. Montaro’s guards are moving toward the west exit.”
“Stop them.”
I ran.
In the foyer, Lucille stood with Victor, Celina, and three guards.
One guard held a briefcase.
My briefcase.
The one from my study safe.
Lucille looked at Emmett in my arms.
Her eyes sharpened.
“Give me the boy, Rafael.”
My voice turned cold.
“Over my body.”
May you like
She smiled.
“That can be arranged.”
