Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
Hillary moved purposefully down the hallway, spotting Sophie lingering near the stairwell. She quickened her pace, closing the distance between them. Sophie turned, her eyes widening slightly as Hillary approached, looking as though she might bolt.
“Sophie,” Hillary said softly but firmly, blocking her path, “we need to talk.”
Sophie hesitated, glancing down the hallway toward the dining room, clearly uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, Miss Hillary, but I really should be getting back...”
Hillary held up a calming hand. “Please, I’m not here to cause trouble. I only want to understand what’s going on with Claire. I’m worried about her, and I think you know more than you’re letting on.”
Sophie’s face paled, her gaze darting away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied, though her voice was strained. “I just work here. I’m not involved in anyone’s personal business.”
“Sophie, I admire your loyalty to Claire, truly. But sometimes, real friendship means being willing to protect the people you care about, even if it means bending the rules.”
Sophie’s shoulders tensed, and her eyes flicked back to Hillary with a conflicted expression. “You don’t understand,” she whispered, her voice laced with emotion. “I made a decision years ago. I wouldn’t spy on Claire. No matter how many times they asked me—her mother, her grandmother—I told them no. I wouldn’t be a part of it.”
Hillary’s eyebrows rose in surprise, her mind racing to process this revelation. “You mean... they asked you to keep tabs on her? To report back?”
Sophie nodded, a look of shame crossing her face. “I grew up with Claire. She’s like family to me. I couldn’t betray her like that, even if they thought it was for her own good.” She shook her head. “I won’t do it for you either.”
“But that call last night obviously left Claire very shaken. There is talk that she is in grave danger. I understand why she wants to keep her family at a distance, but I’m someone who can actually help her if she is in trouble. Please tell me what you know.”
With deep conflict raging across her face, Sophie began to cry. “I only know that the person who called last night was from her job. Someone she works with. Her boss, I think. I heard Claire telling the person she should not have called here. That it was inappropriate to track her down.”
“So someone’s stalking her maybe?”
“The last thing Claire said to the caller was that she’d already sworn she wasn’t going to go public. That she wasn’t going to say anything. She wanted to be left alone.”
“Go public?” Hillary asked curiously. “With what?”
“I don’t know. Claire doesn’t talk to me about what is going on a work. I think much of what they do is confidential. But I do think something serious is going on. The resident line to Willowbrooke Estate is not public information. Whoever tracked her down and got that number is a powerful and determined person.”
“A person trying to make sure Claire stays silent about something. They’re sending a message. We need to know why.”
“I have to get back to the kitchen,” Sophie asserted apologetically. “I truly don’t know anything else, but if there is a way I can help, please let me.”
“I’m not here to spy on Claire,” Hillary said gently. “I wouldn’t do that. I’ve found myself in some tight spots lately and the kindness of strangers has kept me safe. I want to pay that forward.”
Sophie only nodded as she turned and stepped away. Hillary’d have to return to breakfast, sit down next to Claire and pretend all was well. Russ being a journalist had obviously freaked her out. Now, Hillary would have to find a way to prove they were worth trusting.