Chapter 3 - The Man Who Knew Every Door
Santiago slipped the drawing into his pocket.
"Come in," he said.
Julian Vale entered carrying a leather portfolio and wearing the same reassuring smile he had worn for more than thirty years.
At sixty-two, Julian had silver hair, impeccable manners, and the refined appearance of a retired university professor.
He had managed the Moretti family's money before Santiago was old enough to understand what money meant.
He remembered birthdays.
Sent flowers on anniversaries.
And had cried at the funeral of Santiago's parents.
Or at least Santiago remembered seeing tears.
"You're awake late," Julian said.
"Couldn't sleep."
Julian glanced at Sophia.
"How is our girl?"
Sophia pulled her blanket higher.
Santiago noticed.
For years, he had mistaken that reaction for general anxiety around visitors.
Tonight, it looked different.
It looked like recognition.
"She's tired," Santiago replied.
Julian nodded sympathetically.
"Poor thing."
He approached the bed.
Sophia flinched.
Santiago stepped between them.
"She's resting."
Julian stopped.
Something flickered across his face.
Then the smile returned.
"Of course."
He opened his portfolio.
"We have a problem with the Cicero accounts."
"Tomorrow."
"It's somewhat urgent."
"So is my sister."
Julian studied him.
A long silence stretched between them.
Then he closed the portfolio.
"Your father would be proud to see you putting family first."
Santiago forced himself not to react.
Julian placed one hand on his shoulder.
"Just remember, son, kindness can make a powerful man vulnerable."
Santiago looked directly at him.
"And secrecy can make him blind."
Julian removed his hand.
For the first time, his expression cooled.
"Good night, Santiago."
After he left, Sophia began shaking.
Santiago sat beside her.
"He's gone."
She signed urgently.
Santiago opened the translation guide again.
He saw.
"What did he see?"
She pointed to his pocket.
The drawing.
Santiago understood.
"He knows you remember?"
Sophia shook her head.
Then pointed to the doorway.
Listening.
Santiago immediately looked toward the ceiling.
The mansion's security system included discreet cameras in the hallways.
There were no authorized cameras inside Sophia's room.
But Julian controlled the surveillance budget.
And security contractors reported through his office.
Santiago stood.
He walked to the antique clock on the mantel.
He had noticed a tiny reflection beneath its brass frame earlier that evening.
Now he examined it more closely.
A pinhole.
Barely visible.
He removed the clock from its stand.
Behind it was a miniature camera.
The indicator light had been covered with black tape.
For several seconds, Santiago stood motionless.
Then he disconnected the device.
Sophia covered her ears.
She seemed terrified that an alarm might sound.
"Look at me," he said softly.
She wouldn't.
He signed the words with painful slowness.
You are safe with me.
Sophia looked at him.
Then she signed something he did not understand.
He searched the dictionary.
His throat tightened when he found the translation.
Prove it.
Santiago took the camera downstairs.
Tomas was waiting near the kitchen.
"Who installed this?"
Tomas examined the device.
His expression darkened.
"I've never seen that model."
"Find out."
"Where was it?"
"Sophia's bedroom."
Tomas looked up sharply.
"That's impossible."
"Apparently not."
He handed over the device.
"And Tomas?"
"Yes?"
"I want the surveillance system disconnected from Julian's office."
"Julian oversees the accounts, not security."
"Then he shouldn't mind."
Tomas hesitated.
Santiago caught it.
"What?"
"The security contractor was changed eighteen months ago."
"By whom?"
"Julian."
Santiago stared at him.
"Why didn't I know?"
"You signed the authorization."
"Did I?"
Tomas said nothing.
Santiago walked to the window.
Outside, the wind whipped rain against the glass.
His entire adult life had been built on systems of control.
Men.
Money.
Weapons.
Loyalty.
Yet someone had placed a camera inside his vulnerable sister's bedroom without his knowledge.
For the first time, he felt like an intruder in his own house.
"Find Ruby Brennan," Santiago said.
"She doesn't want our help."
"I know."
"Then why are we looking for her?"
Santiago turned.
"Because Sophia trusts her."
Tomas nodded.
"And?"
"Because I'm beginning to think the same people responsible for my parents' deaths are responsible for what happened to Ruby's family."
Tomas went very still.
"That's a serious accusation."
Santiago narrowed his eyes.
"Then let's find out if it's true."
At 2:17 a.m., Tomas returned with the camera's storage module.
Someone had attempted to erase its recent recordings.
But a short fragment remained.
Six nights earlier, Julian had entered Sophia's room while she slept.
He stood beside her bed.
Leaned toward her ear.
And whispered something.
The camera had captured the audio clearly.
"If you start telling stories again, sweetheart, I'll make sure Ruby disappears just like your mother."
Santiago replayed the sentence three times.
Then he looked at the timestamp.
Six nights earlier.
Ruby had still been working in the mansion.
May you like
Which meant Julian had known about her connection to Sophia before Santiago discovered it.
And more frighteningly, Julian had known exactly who Ruby Brennan was.
