Chapter 3 - The Note in the Kitchen
Emma went back to the kitchen and remembered exactly where she had found the note.
It had been tucked beneath the coffee tray.
Three words.
“Tonight. West Hall.”
She had assumed it was an instruction from the catering manager.
Now she wasn't sure.
Luca stood beside her.
“Why didn't you throw it away?”
Emma looked at him.
“Because people who write secret notes usually don't want them thrown away.”
Teresa gave a quiet laugh.
Luca took the paper.
His face hardened.
The handwriting matched a note found in his private office two weeks earlier.
Someone had been communicating inside the house.
Emma crossed her arms.
“So Camille is involved?”
“Possibly.”
“Possibly?”
Luca looked at her.
“I don't accuse people without proof.”
Emma nodded.
“Good.”
His eyebrow lifted.
“You disagree?”
“No.”
She pointed at the note.
“But if you already suspect her, why invite her to dinner?”
“To see who reacts.”
Emma understood.
“You're using her as bait.”
Luca didn't deny it.
“That makes me uncomfortable.”
“Why?”
“Because people aren't bait.”
Teresa watched Emma carefully.
“Then what are you?”
Emma looked at her.
“A woman trying to finish her shift.”
Teresa smiled.
Luca's expression softened.
Then footsteps sounded in the hallway.
Someone stopped outside the kitchen.
Emma turned.
Nobody was there.
But the door leading toward the west hall was slowly swinging shut.
Luca's entire posture changed.
He moved toward it.
Emma followed.
“Don't,” he said.
She stopped.
Luca opened the door.
The corridor was empty.
But on the floor lay a single white envelope.
No name.
No seal.
Only one sentence written across the front.
Ask the maid what she saw.
Emma stared at it.
May you like
Then she looked at Luca.
“I think someone knows I'm involved.”
