Chapter 3: What Julian Carried
On the tablet, Julian looked over his shoulder before unlocking Victoria’s study.
He entered empty-handed and came out thirty seconds later with a small velvet case beneath his jacket.
Elena’s fingers closed around the back of a chair.
“You took the necklace?”
Julian looked at Victoria.
“Mother told me to move it.”
“Don’t drag me into your mistake,” Victoria snapped.
“You entered my private study without permission.”
“You gave me the key.”
“I gave you no such thing.”
The security manager, Marcus, moved the video back twelve seconds.
Victoria appeared at the edge of the frame and pressed something into Julian’s palm.
Father pointed at the screen.
“That looks remarkably like a key.”
Victoria lifted her chin.
“A camera angle proves nothing.”
The woman with the folder stepped forward.
“My name is Delia Price.
I represent Elena and her father.
I suggest nobody leaves until the police arrive.”
“You represent Elena?” Julian asked.
Elena faced him.
“For the last two weeks.”
His mouth opened, but no words came.
Victoria laughed once.
“You hired a lawyer to investigate your husband?”
“I hired her after I found papers bearing my signature.”
Julian’s face tightened.
“What papers?”
“The application using Rose Cottage as security for a loan.”
“That application was never submitted.”
“So you knew about it.”
Julian glanced at his mother again.
Elena’s voice dropped.
“Stop looking at her before you answer me.”
Victoria stepped between them.
“My son does not have to answer an ambush arranged by your family.”
Father moved beside Elena.
“Your son searched my daughter’s gown before your guests.
He can answer one question.”
“It wasn’t my idea,” Julian said.
Elena removed her wedding ring, held it in her palm, and looked at him.
“Whose idea was it?”
Julian rubbed both hands over his face.
“Mother said the necklace had to disappear for a few hours.”
Victoria’s voice sharpened.
“Be careful.”
“She said Elena would panic,” Julian continued.
“She said we could use that panic to make her sign the loan papers.”
A guest near the doorway whispered, “Good heavens.”
Victoria turned on them.
“Everyone out.
This is a private family matter.”
“No,” Elena said.
“You made it public when you ordered them to search me.”
Marcus touched the tablet again.
“There is another section of footage.”
The screen showed Julian crossing the upstairs corridor with the velvet case.
He stopped outside the guest bedroom where Elena’s belongings had been placed.
Delia studied him.
“Did you enter that room?”
Julian’s shoulders fell.
“Yes.”
“And where is the necklace now?” Elena asked.
“I don’t know.”
Victoria gave a cold smile.
“How convenient.”
Julian faced her.
“You promised nobody would search Elena.
You said you only wanted to frighten her.”
“I promised nothing.”
“You told me you would pretend to find the necklace in your study.”
Victoria stepped closer.
“You are confused.
Perhaps you drank too much.”
“I had one glass.”
“Then perhaps your financial troubles have affected your memory.”
Elena stared at him.
“What financial troubles?”
Julian reached for her, but she moved behind the chair.
“Elena, I was going to tell you.”
“When?”
“After I fixed it.”
“You used my cottage to fix it.”
“No.
I stopped before the application went through.”
Delia opened the folder.
“The bank received it yesterday morning.”
Julian gripped the edge of the table.
“That’s impossible.”
“It carried Elena’s signature and yours.”
“I never signed it.”
Victoria’s smile disappeared.
Father looked from Julian to Victoria.
“Then someone forged both names.”
A siren sounded faintly beyond the windows.
Victoria straightened and adjusted one sleeve.
“Good,” she said.
“The police can search Elena’s luggage properly.”
Elena turned to Julian.
“What does she expect them to find?”
Julian’s eyes filled with panic.
He stepped toward the staircase, but Marcus blocked his path.
“Sir, you need to remain here.”
Julian stopped.
May you like
His next words were barely louder than a breath.
“The velvet case is in Elena’s suitcase.”
