“Everybody is paid,” Daniel said. “Nobody loses wages because of this.”
Elise nodded and glanced at Mercer.
“There’s something else.”
She showed them the vendor schedule.
A transport assistant named Gavin Reed had requested access to the side entrance for seven that evening. His assignment was described as a private family departure.
Daniel stared at the screen.
“There was no family departure.”
“The instruction came from Victoria.”
Mercer asked where Gavin was now.
Elise checked the messages on her tablet.
“He said he was collecting equipment. His vehicle should still be by the service drive.”
Miles went to check with the officers.
Daniel remained in the corridor, close enough to hear June reading a picture book. Lily interrupted to correct the sound a duck made. For one second, the familiar complaint nearly undid him.
Mercer’s phone vibrated.
She listened, asked two short questions, then looked toward the sitting room.
“What?” Daniel asked.
“We need to confirm a few things.”
He hated that careful sentence. He had used versions of it in boardrooms when something had already gone disastrously wrong.
“Please.”
Mercer considered him for a moment.
“An officer has spoken with Ms. Langford. She voluntarily provided access to a phone while offering an explanation for the documents.”
“And?”
« Cette explication a suscité de nouvelles inquiétudes. »
Derrière lui, la porte de la salle à manger s’ouvrit. June regarda dehors. Daniel se retourna aussitôt, mais elle secoua la tête : Lily allait bien.
Mercer attendit que la porte se referme.
« Il y a un brouillon de message », dit-elle. « Il concerne votre fille. »
Daniel trouva le couloir étroit.
« Qu’est-ce que ça dit ? »
Vous aimerez peut-être
Le détective ne détourna pas le regard.
« Cela commence par : “Si vous voulez récupérer Lily, vous devrez suivre ces instructions.” »
