Chapter 2 - The Architect of LiesAdrien looked at me, his eyes searching for a crack in my composure. "Tessa, how could you?"
"I couldn't," I said, ignoring the security guards’ firm grip on my arms. "Adrien, your mother didn't fall. Look at the records in the east tower. Not the ones Eleanor wants you to see, but the original blueprints and the maintenance logs from the week Samuel Monroe was fired. My father didn't steal your mother's jewels. He was trying to report a structural tampering."
Eleanor let out a sharp, gasping breath. "She’s delusional, Adrien. She’s trying to drag your mother’s tragedy into this to save her own skin."
"Adrien," I continued, speaking over her, "ask her how she knew the velvet base of the display case moved two inches to the left when her back was turned. Ask her how she caught a falling candle before it hit the floor."
"I have heightened senses," Eleanor replied, her tone icy. "Because of my blindness."
"And the black thread in the clasp?" I countered. "The one from the staff uniform? A uniform I haven't worn since this morning, because I’ve been wearing my own clothes for the dinner preparations. Check the logs, Adrien. Check the cameras."
May you like
Adrien’s expression shifted. The blind faith he held in Eleanor began to fray. He looked at Vera, who suddenly looked very uncomfortable. "Cameras," Adrien muttered. "There are no cameras in the library, Eleanor. You insisted on that for privacy."
"Which is why you should check the service-room audio," I said, my heart hammering. "You might be surprised by what your fiancée and her assistant discuss when they think they’re alone."
