Chapter 3 - The Red Door
Natalie did not sleep.
Every sound in the mansion became suspicious.
A pipe knocking behind the wall.
A guard's footsteps outside.
Wind pressing against tall windows.
By three in the morning, Mara Bennett's note lay unfolded on Natalie's bedside table.
If anything happens to me, don't believe the story they tell about why I left.
At six thirty, Natalie found Evelyn in the kitchen supervising breakfast.
“You kept that note for fourteen months.”
Evelyn did not look at her.
“Thirteen.”
“That doesn't make it better.”
“No.”
“Why didn't you go to the police?”
Evelyn finally turned.
“You have been in this house four days.”
“Yes.”
“And you already know what Daniel Brooks does for a living.”
Natalie said nothing.
Everyone in Chicago knew the Brooks name.
Some newspapers called Daniel a businessman.
Others used darker words.
There were restaurants, construction companies, shipping firms, security businesses, and clubs attached to Brooks Holdings.
There were also rumors about illegal gambling, protection money, smuggling routes, and men who disappeared after crossing Daniel.
Nothing had ever been proven in court.
Evelyn lowered her voice.
“When the police come to this house, they do not come as neutral strangers.”
Natalie understood.
“Some are afraid of Daniel.”
“Yes.”
“And some belong to him.”
Evelyn's expression gave nothing away.
Natalie folded her arms.
“Do you believe Daniel hurt Mara?”
“I believe Mr. Brooks is capable of frightening things.”
“That wasn't my question.”
Evelyn looked toward the doorway.
“No.”
The answer surprised Natalie.
“Then why hide the note?”
“Because Daniel's greatest weakness is that he believes loyalty can be purchased.”
Evelyn arranged a silver tray.
“He sees betrayal from enemies.”
She glanced toward Natalie.
“He rarely sees it from people standing beside him.”
Lucas appeared before Natalie could ask more.
He entered wearing dinosaur pajamas and carrying Arthur.
His eyes went directly to her ribs.
“You stayed.”
Natalie's chest tightened.
“I said I would.”
Lucas's smile lasted less than a second.
Then he remembered himself.
“Can we have pancakes?”
Evelyn sighed.
“Your breakfast has already been prepared.”
“I want Natalie's pancakes.”
“I have never made you pancakes.”
Lucas looked at her.
“You can learn.”
Natalie laughed despite herself.
From the doorway, Daniel watched.
He wore a black suit without a tie.
He looked as though he had not slept either.
Lucas's smile vanished when he noticed him.
Daniel saw it.
The reaction hurt more than he expected.
“I have meetings downtown.”
Lucas looked down.
“I'll be back before dinner.”
No response.
Daniel walked toward him.
Lucas moved closer to Natalie.
Daniel stopped.
Natalie saw the realization strike him.
His son regarded Natalie, a stranger of four days, as safer than his own father.
Daniel cleared his throat.
“I'll see you tonight.”
Lucas waited until he had gone.
Then he whispered.
“He always says that.”
Natalie crouched.
“Does he usually come back?”
Lucas considered.
“Sometimes after I'm asleep.”
That afternoon, Lucas showed Natalie the mansion.
The music room.
The indoor pool.
The library.
A greenhouse larger than some homes.
Then they reached the west corridor.
Lucas stopped.
At the end stood a dark red door.
Unlike the white doors throughout the mansion, it looked old.
Heavy.
A brass keyhole gleamed beneath the handle.
Lucas's face changed.
“We don't go there.”
“Why?”
“Daddy says no.”
Natalie approached slowly.
Lucas grabbed her sleeve.
“No.”
The urgency stopped her.
She looked at him.
“Is this where you saw the man?”
Lucas shook his head.
Then nodded.
Then shook his head again.
“Lucas?”
“He came out from there.”
Natalie stared at the door.
“When?”
“The night Mara cried.”
Natalie's pulse quickened.
Footsteps sounded behind them.
A man in a tailored charcoal suit approached.
Tall.
Mid-forties.
Silver at his temples.
He carried himself with the quiet confidence of someone who had been obeyed for years.
Natalie had seen him once before speaking with Daniel.
Adrian Cole.
Daniel's head of security.
Adrian smiled pleasantly.
“Lost?”
Natalie turned.
“Lucas was showing me the house.”
Adrian's gaze moved to the red door.
“This wing is restricted.”
Lucas moved behind Natalie.
Adrian noticed.
His smile did not change.
“Come on, buddy.”
Lucas tightened his grip.
Natalie felt it.
Adrian extended a hand.
“Your father doesn't like you wandering around here.”
Lucas did not move.
Natalie stepped slightly between them.
“He's with me.”
Adrian looked at her.
For the first time, warmth disappeared from his eyes.
“I'm aware.”
Silence stretched.
Then Adrian smiled again.
“You should be careful, Natalie.”
“About what?”
“Curiosity.”
He walked past them.
At the red door, he removed a key from inside his jacket.
Lucas went rigid.
Natalie watched Adrian unlock it.
Before entering, he looked over his shoulder.
“Some rooms are closed for a reason.”
The door shut behind him.
Lucas whispered.
“That was him.”
Natalie's skin prickled.
“The man from the night Mara left?”
Lucas nodded.
“Yes.”
That evening Daniel returned before dinner.
For once, he kept his promise.
Natalie waited until Lucas was occupied in the playroom.
Then she found Daniel in his office.
“Who is Adrian Cole?”
Daniel looked up from his desk.
“You've met him.”
“Who is he to you?”
“A friend.”
“That isn't what I asked.”
Daniel leaned back.
His expression hardened slightly.
“He runs security for the house and several of my companies.”
“How long have you known him?”
“Eighteen years.”
Natalie placed Mara's note on the desk.
Daniel stopped breathing for a moment.
“Where did you get this?”
“Evelyn.”
Anger appeared.
“She should have shown me.”
“She didn't trust your judgment.”
Daniel stood.
“Be careful.”
Natalie did not move.
“Lucas says Adrian threatened Mara the night she disappeared.”
Daniel's anger vanished.
“What?”
“He says Adrian came out of the red door.”
Daniel stared at her.
Then laughed once.
There was no humor in it.
“Impossible.”
“Why?”
“Because Adrian was in New York that night.”
“You're certain?”
“I spoke with him.”
“Face to face?”
Daniel went quiet.
Natalie understood.
“On the phone.”
Daniel's eyes moved to the note.
Natalie continued.
“What is behind the red door?”
“My late wife's rooms.”
Natalie froze.
Daniel's voice changed.
“Caroline died three years ago.”
“I know.”
“I sealed that wing after her funeral.”
“Who has keys?”
“Me.”
A pause.
“And Adrian.”
Natalie glanced toward the office door.
Daniel's face slowly changed as the implication settled in.
Then his phone vibrated.
He looked at the screen.
Unknown number.
He answered.
Nobody spoke.
Daniel's expression sharpened.
“Who is this?”
A distorted male voice finally replied.
“You should have replaced the maid.”
Daniel went completely still.
The voice continued.
“Now she's asking questions.”
The call ended.
Natalie stared at him.
May you like
Daniel looked toward the hallway where Lucas was playing.
For the first time, the powerful Daniel Brooks looked genuinely afraid.
