Chương 6
Emily pressed her hand against the window glass.
“Were the consulting payments real?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have documents?”
“I have copies of some. I kept them after the settlement, which violates the agreement.”
“Then why contact me?”
“I was at the dinner tonight as Celeste Warren’s communications adviser. I watched Victoria point at you. I watched everyone believe her for those first few seconds.” Leah breathed in slowly. “I have spent three years telling myself I signed because I had no choice. Tonight I saw what my choice bought her.”
Emily looked at Noah. He was no longer pretending not to listen.
“You need to call the detective,” Emily said.
“I will.”
“Now.”
“I want an attorney first.”
“Then call one.”
“I am calling one in the morning.”
Emily’s voice sharpened. “She put a necklace in my bag tonight. What do you think she’ll do before morning?”
Mrs. Kim stepped closer and touched Emily’s elbow. Emily had begun speaking too loudly.
Leah was quiet.
“I’m sorry,” Emily said, though she was not.
“No. You’re right.” Another pause. “I’ll call.”
“Give them my name.”
“I will.”
After the call ended, Emily stood by the window until Mrs. Kim placed a blanket around her shoulders.
At home, she slept for forty-three minutes.
She woke with her teeth clenched and the sensation that someone had opened the bedroom door. The room was empty. The apartment pipes clicked in the wall. Noah snored lightly from the foldout couch.
Emily checked the locks twice.
At six fifteen, her phone began ringing.
The first call came from Daniel. She let it go to voicemail.
The second came from a local television reporter. She blocked the number.
The third came from Rosa, who said two news vans were parked near the estate gate and someone had posted a photograph from the dinner online. The picture showed Victoria pointing, Emily recoiling, and Daniel watching. It had been taken before the bag was opened. Without context, it looked like the beginning of a story in which Emily was guilty.
“Who took it?” Emily asked.
“One of the guests.”
“Which one?”
“No one admits it.”
Rosa lowered her voice. “The police took Victoria’s phone and laptop after Leah called. They came back with a warrant early this morning.”
“Is Victoria still there?”
“No. She left with her attorney.”
“Was she arrested?”
“No.”
Emily closed her eyes.
“Daniel wants to speak to you,” Rosa said.
“He called.”
“He is not doing well.”
“I’m not doing well.”
“I know.”
The answer came quickly enough to calm her.
Rosa continued, “He asked me to tell you the photograph online is misleading and the foundation will issue a statement.”
“A statement about me?”
“A statement about the incident.”
“What will it say?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then tell him not to use my name.”
“I will.”
Noah appeared in the bedroom doorway, hair flattened on one side.
“You need to see this,” he said.
Emily ended the call.
On his laptop, a local gossip account had posted the photograph with the caption: Drama at Vale mansion after family heirloom allegedly found in employee’s bag. Police investigating conflicting claims.
The word allegedly sat beside employee, not beside found.
Comments accumulated beneath it.
Some defended the Vale family.
Some called Victoria a liar because an unnamed guest had mentioned security video.
Others had found Emily’s name through old staff photographs on the foundation website. Someone posted the address of the apartment building. Another person shared Noah’s school.
Emily reached for the laptop and closed it.
“No more,” she said.
“They posted my school.”
“I saw.”
“Should I go?”
“No.”
“I have a chemistry test.”
“You’re not going.”
“I studied.”
“Noah.”
“If I miss it, I have to take the makeup during—”
“You are not going to school today.”
He stared at her. “You don’t get to make me disappear because people online are stupid.”
“I get to keep you safe.”
“From what?”
“I don’t know.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one I have.”
He paced to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. “We’re out of milk.”
Emily laughed.
The sound surprised both of them.
Noah looked over his shoulder. “What?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re crying.”
“I’m laughing.”
“You’re doing both.”
She sat on the edge of the bed and covered her face. Noah left the refrigerator open, crossed the room, and crouched in front of her.
“I can stay home,” he said.
“Thank you.”
“But we still need milk.”
At eight thirty, Officer Park called. A detective named Marcus Hale wanted Emily to come to the station for a recorded interview. They would send an unmarked car because of the media outside the Vale property and the attention online.
“Do I need a lawyer?” Emily asked.
“You’re being interviewed as a witness and possible victim,” Officer Park said. “You have the right to consult one. Given the financial allegations and public attention, it may be wise.”
“I can’t afford one.”
“Mr. Vale’s attorney offered to arrange counsel.”
“No.”
Officer Park did not ask why.
“There is a county victim assistance office,” she said. “They may be able to refer you, though availability can be limited. You can also contact private counsel.”
Emily wrote down the number. Before calling, she listened to Daniel’s voicemail.
Emily, this is Daniel. I am profoundly sorry for what happened. The foundation’s counsel is preparing a statement that will make clear you did nothing wrong. I would like to provide an independent attorney for you, someone who represents only your interests. You are under no obligation to speak with me. Please contact Rosa with anything you need.
His language had changed overnight. Independent attorney. No obligation. Anything you need. Someone had coached him, but the strain in his voice was real.
May you like
Emily deleted the message, then regretted it and checked whether her phone stored deleted voicemails.
The victim assistance office connected her to a lawyer named Priya Shah, who agreed to meet her at the station before the interview. Priya sounded busy and skeptical until Emily mentioned the security footage and the public accusation.
