Chapter 3 - Under the Floorboard
Julian’s fingers dug into the edge of the loose floorboard. With a sharp, groaning snap of ancient wood, he pried the plank upward, exposing the dark, dust-filled hollow beneath the bridal suite floor.
The housemaid covered her mouth to suppress a shriek.
Inside the narrow wooden cavity lay a tarnished steel lockbox, wrapped in a thick silk scarf that belonged to Evelyn. Attached to the lockbox was an old cassette voice recorder and a small black leather journal.
Julian reached down, his hands trembling violently as he lifted the heavy steel box into the light of the chandelier. The tiny silver key in his palm fit perfectly into the antique lock.
"Mr. Julian, should I call the police?" the housemaid whimpered, backing toward the doorway.
"Not yet," Julian rasped, his eyes burning with tears. "Lock the suite door. Don't let anyone in. Especially not my stepmother."
The maid nodded frantically, sliding the heavy brass bolt shut across the double oak doors just as soft footfalls echoed down the carpeted hallway outside.
Julian inserted the silver key and turned it. The brass latch clicked open with a heavy, ominous sound.
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Sitting right on top of the documents inside was a handwritten letter penned in Evelyn’s elegant handwriting, smeared with dried water spots that looked like fallen tears.
👉 What shocking confession did Evelyn write on the night she vanished from the estate?
