Chapter 17 #2
“Keep us informed, okay?” she asked.
“We will,” Julia answered.
Sierra kissed her cheek before she crossed to Grant and did the same. “Thank you, Daddy.”
He pulled her into a tight hug. “I love you, baby.”
“Love you, too.”
She left them alone, her footsteps fading as she stomped her way to the kitchen. Grant flicked his gaze to Julia.
“Well, that was good news,” she said with a shrug.
“Yeah…thank you, Julia. I…don’t think I could have handled that without you.”
“I’m sure you could have. You raised her.”
“But she never really blossomed into the person she is now until you came. Julia, you have had a profound effect on her. On all of us. I couldn’t handle any of this without you.”
“And I wouldn’t want you to,” she said with a smile. “Now, let’s go see what Alex found.”
“Oh, right. Him,” Grant said with a sigh. “Let me finish my bourbon. I need the strength.”
She snickered at the comment as he downed the rest of it before he grabbed her hand. “Okay. Let’s go.”
They left the security of his office behind and climbed the stairs, making their way to Alex’s room. He slouched over his computer as he worked on something. His screen, a canvas of light in the dim room, displayed the video footage.
Julia knocked on the door as they pushed inside. “Hey, sorry, we got sidetracked.”
Alex twisted to face them. “No worries. Though I’ve been dying to share this with you. I think you’ll be pleased.”
Julia crossed to glance at his computer screen over his shoulder. “Tell me you found someone else who went to Lydia’s after Sierra.”
“No such luck, but…take a look.”
Grant joined her, sliding an arm onto her shoulder as he studied the screen.
“I was working on our Project Protect Princess when I discovered something. This is delicate work. Previously, I’d played it on fast speed to see who showed up. But when I watched on normal speed…well, let’s take a look, shall we?”
Alex arched an eyebrow as he pressed the space bar on his computer. The video advanced forward, showing Kyle appear, followed by Grant, then Julia. Worthington arrived, followed by Alexander, and finally Sierra.
Alex slowed the video as an upset Sierra emerged from the apartment and fled down the hall. He held a finger in the air. “Wait for it…wait for it…there.”
He poked a finger at the screen before he glanced at them, his features expectant.
Julia furrowed her brow as she leaned closer. “Play it again.”
Grant narrowed his eyes at the screen, searching for the clue the man had seen.
Alex backed the video up to Sierra’s departure, then pressed play. “Did you see it?”
“Yes,” Julia answered, though Grant had yet to see anything life-changing on the screen. What were they getting at?
“So, what does it mean?” Julia asked.
“Wait, wait, what are you seeing?” Grant asked.
Alex backed up the video again and played it in slow-motion. “There.”
He froze it on what appeared to be a glitch in the video. The hall distorted at an odd angle.
“That weird shimmy?” Grant questioned.
“Yep. That weird shimmy, as you put it, is indicative of the feed having been tampered with.”
“Someone replaced the footage?” Julia asked.
“More like someone replaced the live feed with a fake one.”
Julia crossed her arms as she stared at the screen. “Allowing someone to slip into that apartment undetected and kill Lydia.”
Alex shot a finger gun at her. “Bingo.”
“Is there any way we can get the original footage? Or figure out who this came from?”
“I’m doing some digging, but the short answer is…probably not.” Alex crinkled his nose at the answer. “But I’ll see if I can find any anomalies that would give us a clue.”
“Thank you, Alex. I still think this footage should stay missing for a while. The police will never notice that glitch or believe someone else did it.”
“Right,” he agreed. “The best thing we can do is keep searching for the culprit.”
“Is there anything we can do?” Grant asked.
“Short of getting someone to admit they did it, no. I’ll search the other feeds to see if anyone of interest appears. And I can tap the city’s CCTV to see search the streets.”
“Good idea,” Julia said. “If you need any help reviewing footage, let me know. I’d be happy to help.”
“I may take you upon that, Sunshine. I have Ava as my second eyes right now, but she has another project vying for her attention.”
“I can help, too,” Grant offered.
“Might not be a bad idea considering you may recognize more people than I would who could be suspects. Let me get you set up with a viewing device.”
“Mind if I change clothes first?” Grant asked.
“Get comfy, G. I won’t mind.” He grinned as he rubbed his silk robe.
Grant narrowed his eyes at the man, having no intention of wearing his pajamas for the job. “I just meant…never mind.”
A knock sounded at the door before he could step out. “Come in!” Alex called as he twisted to eye the door. “Worthy! That doesn’t look like a midnight snack.”
“No, sir,” the butler said as he stepped inside. “I am happy to provide you with one, though, if you’d like.”
“What do you say, kids? Popcorn and sodas for the viewing party?
“I’ll pass, thanks,” Grant said. “What is that, Worthington?”
“This just arrived for you, Mr. Harrington. I thought you may like to open it immediately.”
He stared down at the nondescript envelope bearing his name attached to a plainly wrapped box.
Its unassuming form somehow seemed ominous.
The envelope felt like a cold stone in his palm, its mundane appearance belying the potential storm it could unleash.
The weight of the box made his stomach clench.
Julia wrapped her fingers around his arm, peering over his shoulder as he slid his finger under the flap.
Time slowed as he worked to release the seal, each second stretched, laden with the weight of past confrontations and schemes. The air in the group was thick with anticipation.
He pulled the paper from within the bland container, his heart thudding dully against his ribs as he flicked it open, recognizing Lydia’s distinctive handwriting. Once familiar, it was now a harbinger of chaos that danced mockingly across the paper.
His breath caught in his throat as he wondered if this would deliver one last blow. The thought sent shivers down his spine. Was this Lydia’s final act in a game she had orchestrated from beyond the grave?