Chapter 9: The Person Who Knew
Detective Harlow came back the following morning.
She sat across from Julian and Elena at the kitchen table — not the formal dining room where everything had happened the night before, but the kitchen, with coffee and morning light and the particular quiet of a house that had been through something.
Detective Harlow: The device that sent the tip was a tablet.
Registered to this address under household accounts.
It was used once, at 11:47 PM on a Thursday evening six weeks ago, connected to the wifi here.
Julian: Who was in this house six weeks ago on a Thursday evening?
Detective Harlow: That's what I'd like to establish.
I have Eleanor and Victoria's movements from that period.
Neither of them was here that night.
You and your wife were at a charity event — we confirmed that from the venue's guest log.
The house was not empty, however.
Julian: Mrs.
Patel.
Detective Harlow: Your housekeeper, yes.
She was here.
But the tablet was not in the kitchen or the staff areas.
It was accessed from the study.
Julian looked at Elena.
Elena: Mrs.
Patel doesn't go into the study.
She never has.
She's been very clear about that since the day she started.
Detective Harlow: I know.
Because I spoke with her this morning before I came here.
She set a photograph on the table.
A woman in her late sixties, silver-haired, well-dressed, seated in what appeared to be a restaurant.
Detective Harlow: Do you recognize her?
Julian picked up the photograph.
His expression shifted.
Julian: That's Margaret Holt.
She was my father's personal secretary for over twenty years.
She retired when he died.
Detective Harlow: She was also present in this house six weeks ago on a Thursday evening.
Mrs.
Patel confirmed she let her in.
Ms.
Holt said she had come to collect some personal items belonging to your father that Eleanor had promised her.
Mrs.
Patel showed her to the study.
Elena: She sent the tip.
Detective Harlow: Ms.
Holt contacted us this morning, voluntarily, after hearing that Eleanor had been brought in.
She said she had been waiting to see whether Eleanor would face any real consequences before she came forward.
She didn't trust that she would.
She said she had watched Eleanor operate for twenty-two years and had never seen her face anything.
Julian: What does she know?
Detective Harlow: Quite a lot.
She was present when your father signed his original will.
She witnessed it.
She knows what it said.
And she kept a copy.
Julian went very still.
Detective Harlow: She also kept a letter.
Written by your father, addressed to you, dated nine months before he died.
He gave it to her for safekeeping.
He told her to make sure you received it if anything happened to him.
She said she tried to deliver it through the family attorney after the funeral and was told it was not legally relevant to the estate proceedings.
Elena: Eleanor's attorney.
Detective Harlow: Yes.
Julian: Where is the letter now?
Detective Harlow reached into her folder and set an envelope on the table.
Cream-colored.
Slightly worn at the edges.
Julian's name on the front in his father's handwriting.
Julian stared at it.
Detective Harlow: I've read it as part of the investigation.
I need to tell you that before you open it.
Its contents are relevant to the case.
But it was written for you.
She stood up.
Detective Harlow: I'll give you some time.
She stepped out of the kitchen and pulled the door closed.
Julian looked at the envelope for a long moment.
Elena put her hand over his.
Elena: You don't have to read it right now.
Julian: Yes I do.
He picked it up.
Opened it carefully.
Unfolded two pages of his father's handwriting — slightly uneven, the way it had been in the last year, but clear.
He read it without speaking.
Elena watched his face.
When he finished, he set the pages down flat on the table.
Julian: He knew.
About the will.
He found out two months before he died.
He had already contacted a solicitor to have it corrected.
He was waiting for the right moment to confront her.
Elena: Did he say why he waited?
Julian: He says he wanted to give her the chance to undo it herself.
He thought she might.
He says — He stopped.
His voice had changed.
— He says he was wrong about that.
And he's sorry he left me in a house with her.
Elena didn't speak.
She kept her hand over his.
Julian: He says he always knew she didn't want you.
He says he was glad I chose you anyway.
He says you reminded him of my grandmother.
Elena's eyes filled.
Julian folded the letter carefully and held it.
Outside, a car door closed.
Arthur arriving.
The day continuing.
The case moving forward without waiting for anyone's grief to finish.
Julian looked at Elena.
Julian: She's not going to get away with any of it.
Elena: No.
Julian: Not the bracelet.
Not the document.
Not the will.
Not any of it.
Elena: No.
Julian: And when it's done — He paused.
— I want to find the housekeeper.
The one from three years ago.
I want to make it right.
Elena looked at him.
Julian: I know it won't undo it.
But I want to try.
Elena: Then we will.
He stood up.
Picked up the letter.
Walked to the door and opened it.
May you like
Detective Harlow was waiting in the hallway.
Julian: Tell me what you need from me.
