Chapter 25
I’ll admit I woke up early and went through his things, hoping to find something, but there was nothing there. Obviously he wouldn’t leave anything out in the open, so it has to be in the office. Today I begin my quest to find the documents.
I asked permission to use the computer, just as an excuse to get in there.
When Ellie went down for her nap, I went straight to the office, turned on the computer, opened a few tabs as cover, and started looking around the room.
There was no safe, so I started opening drawers.
One had some papers, another had two framed photos of his wife.
One drawer was locked, and the last one had some envelopes with contracts inside.
So I figured the locked drawer was what I was after. I just had to find the key. I looked in some likely places but came up empty, so for today, I’m calling off my search. I think now that we’re closer, I’ll have more access to his things.
I need that key, and I’m going to find it, even if I have to turn this entire office upside down. I go to the computer, turn it off, and leave. I head to my room and call my father’s lawyer. Apparently there’s a hearing in two months, and I need to find those documents before then.
“Amy, how’s everything going there? Have you found anything yet?”
“Nothing, Jhon. I managed to get into his office and look around, but I didn’t find anything. There is a locked drawer, though. I just need to find the key now.”
“We still have time. Be careful he doesn’t catch you, or our situation gets worse.”
“Don’t worry, I’m being careful.”
“Okay, let’s keep in touch. If there’s any news, call me. I need to gather documents to get him out of there.”
“This time it’s going to work, you’ll see.”
The weeks are flying by. I’ve given up searching the office because what I want is inside that drawer. I’ve looked for the key everywhere, but I haven’t found it.
He must keep it somewhere I don’t know about, but I’m going to find it. One night, when it was already late, I went downstairs to get some water. I saw the hallway light on and decided to head toward the office. Since we have more freedom now, I decided to go in without knocking.
“What are you doing here at this hour?”
“Never come in without knocking when I’m in here. I’ve given you some freedoms, but my office is private.”
I see him holding an unusual-looking book, with some papers on the desk, but I decide to leave.
“Sorry, I didn’t think I’d be interrupting.”
I close the door behind me. So that’s where the key is. Now I need an opportunity to get it. From what I noticed, it’s an unusual book that seems to require a password, which makes things harder. But I’m going to examine every inch of it until I figure out that password.
And now my adventure truly begins—I’m seeing this through to the end. I will figure out the password and get those papers. He’s been bringing me cases to study at night, which I’m loving. I went to law school because of my father, but now I’ve realized how much I love this profession.
I call Jhon, who expects to hear from me every day, and decide to ask for his help.
“Jhon, I think I’ve figured out where the key is, but I need your help.”
“If it’s within my power, I’ll do whatever you ask.”
“I need all the important dates for Owen, up to the day of the accident.”
“Okay, I’ll put that together and text it to you.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Two days later, I get a message from him with several dates, and I’m sure one of them opens that book. Now I need to sneak in there without anyone noticing.
I go downstairs and ask the girls’ nanny where everyone is. She tells me they’re cleaning upstairs. So I turn away from her and head straight to the office. Today’s the day I open that drawer.
I go in and look around. No one’s there. It’s already late, almost time for Owen to get back from work, but I can’t wait. Time is running out and I need those documents, so I’ll have to take the risk.
I pick up the book, open the message from Jhon, and start entering codes.
First password—wrong. The second one too.
Damn it, one of them has to work, and there are still six more to try.
Then I hear footsteps in the hallway. Shit, now what?
Where am I going to hide? I look around frantically and spot the heavy curtain—that’s where I go.
Just as I slip behind the heavy fabric, the door opens.
I curl up tighter behind the curtain. He can’t catch me here, or I’m screwed. But he notices something’s off and calls out to the nanny, who comes running.
“Who came into my office?”
“Probably the cleaning girls. Why?”
“I don’t know, something seems different. Tell them not to move anything.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll pass that along.”
He sits down in the chair and I hear him shuffling papers. He stays there for minutes—many minutes—and I’m getting impatient. My position is starting to bother me, so I try to shift without making noise, but he notices something.
“Who's there?”
No response. He gets up from the chair and I brace myself to be discovered, standing near the curtain, but he quickly leaves, opening the office door and exiting the room.
I wait a few seconds and come out of my hiding spot, fleeing as if I were guilty of something—which, in fact, I am.
I let out a sigh of relief that I wasn't caught.
I'm starting to climb the stairs when Owen calls me.
“Amy, where were you? I've been looking for you.”
“I was in the garden, out back. I needed to get some air.”
“But you didn't come in through the front door.” I have to be careful with him—he's very sharp.
“I came in through the side door, the one in the hallway.”
He gives me a strange look and I continue on my way, climbing the stairs. I need to check on Ellie. I have to be more careful—if I get caught, he won't forgive me.