Chapter 5: The Perfect Frame
Clara was escorted to the security office.
She answered every question, but the evidence against her appeared overwhelming. Her fingerprints were found on the jewelry case.
The signal jammer had been wrapped inside one of her uniforms.
Adrian stood behind the glass wall, watching the interrogation.
Clara could not tell whether he believed her.
Victoria remained at Eleanor’s side, playing the role of concerned family friend.
“She attacked me in front of everyone,” Victoria said. “Now we know she was covering her own crime.”
Eleanor refused to accept it.
“Clara saved me.”
“Or staged the entire confrontation to win your trust.”
The police arrived before sunset.
As Clara was led through the servants’ entrance, a young kitchen worker named Noah slipped a folded napkin into her hand.
Inside were five words.
I saw who entered your room.
Clara glanced back, but Noah had already disappeared into the crowd.
At the station, Clara was told the Blackwood family had not pressed charges. She was released but banned from returning to the palace until the investigation was complete.
She went home to her small apartment and found the door open.
Every drawer had been emptied. Her father’s photographs were scattered across the floor.
One picture was missing.
It showed Thomas Bennett standing beside Eleanor Blackwood and a much younger man Clara did not recognize.
Written on the back were the words:
Trust no one named Blackwood.
A floorboard creaked behind her.
Clara turned.
Malcolm Price stood in the doorway.
He closed the door and locked it.
May you like
“I need you to listen carefully,” he said.
“You have until midnight to leave the city.”
