Chapter 1 - THE WALL THAT BREATHED
“Who repaired the leak?”
Mara asked the question quietly.
That was what made Luca nervous.
She wasn't accusing him. She wasn't frightened.
She was simply looking at the wall as though it had just confessed something.
“I don't know,” Luca said.
Mara turned.
“You own the house.”
“I own several houses.”
“This is the one you sleep in.”
His eyes narrowed.
“Mrs. Vale handles maintenance.”
“Then call her.”
Luca reached for the bell beside his bed.
Mara stopped him.
“No.”
He looked at her hand.
She withdrew it immediately.
“Why?”
“Because if she repaired it, she'll know exactly what you're asking about.”
“And?”
“And I want to know whether she lies.”
For several seconds, Luca simply stared at her.
Then something almost resembling amusement appeared in his eyes.
“You've been working here seventeen months.”
“Yes.”
“And this is the first time you've decided to investigate my staff?”
“I've been investigating your staff for months.”
That erased the amusement.
“What?”
Mara pointed toward the wall.
“The wallpaper was replaced twice.”
Luca's face changed.
“How do you know?”
“Because the first time, the pattern didn't line up.”
He looked toward the wall.
She continued.
“The second time, they moved the seam six inches.”
“Why would anyone move a wallpaper seam?”
“Because there was something behind it.”
Luca slowly pushed himself higher against the pillows.
His breathing became heavier.
“What did you see?”
“Nothing.”
“Then why—”
“I heard something.”
The room became silent.
“What?”
“A fan.”
Luca stared at her.
“Behind the wall.”
His expression hardened.
“When?”
“Every night around two.”
“You're certain?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
Mara gave him a look.
“Because you're Luca Varelli.”
That answer almost made him laugh.
Almost.
Instead, he reached for the phone on the nightstand.
“Call Rafe.”
Mara froze.
“Your security chief?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
Luca looked at her.
“You're very comfortable giving orders in my bedroom.”
“I'm comfortable preventing people from destroying evidence.”
That stopped him.
He slowly lowered the phone.
“What evidence?”
Mara walked to the wall.
She ran her fingers across the seam.
“Whatever is behind here.”
Luca studied her.
Then he said, “Move the bed.”
They pushed the heavy bed six inches away from the wall.
Mara removed a small cleaning knife from her supply cart.
She slipped the blade beneath the wallpaper.
The paper peeled back.
Behind it was fresh plaster.
But the plaster was cracked.
Mara pressed.
A hollow sound answered.
Luca's face went cold.
“Open it.”
She looked at him.
“You're sure?”
“Open it.”
Mara cut a narrow rectangle.
The plaster came away.
Behind it was a black metal panel.
No handle.
No hinges.
Only a keypad.
Luca stared.
“I've lived in this room for six years.”
Mara looked at him.
“Apparently someone else has, too.”
He reached toward the keypad.
Mara caught his wrist.
“Wait.”
“Why?”
“Because if someone hid it, they may have made sure touching it triggers something.”
Luca slowly lowered his hand.
“Who are you?”
Mara smiled faintly.
“A maid.”
“No.”
His voice was suddenly serious.
“No maid notices ventilation patterns, hidden panels, altered wallpaper, and electrical hums.”
Mara looked away.
“People notice things when nobody thinks they're important enough to watch.”
Before Luca could answer, footsteps sounded in the hallway.
Both turned.
Mrs. Vale appeared in the doorway.
“What happened?”
Luca said nothing.
Mara watched her.
The house manager looked at the exposed wall.
For one brief second, fear flashed across her face.
Then it disappeared.
“What is that?” she asked.
Luca's eyes hardened.
“You tell me.”
Mrs. Vale went pale.
“I've never seen it.”
Mara stepped closer.
“That's interesting.”
Mrs. Vale looked at her.
“Why?”
“Because you're the one who repaired the leak.”
Silence.
The woman's mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
Luca slowly reached for the telephone.
“Rafe.”
A voice answered immediately.
“Sir?”
“Lock the house.”
Mara looked at him.
Luca's eyes remained on Mrs. Vale.
“Nobody leaves.”
Mrs. Vale suddenly turned.
She ran.
Two security men grabbed her before she reached the staircase.
And as they dragged her back, something small fell from her pocket.
A brass key.
It landed on the marble floor.
Mara stared at it.
Because she had seen that key before.
May you like
Around her mother's neck.
Twenty years ago.
