Chapter 4: The Secret Behind Cabinet 314
The sound of breaking glass brought everyone in the living room to their feet.
I turned toward the noise.
Roland was standing beside the dessert table, his right hand clenched around a broken champagne flute. Pink liquid had spilled across the white tablecloth. Camille stood several feet away, holding the little black box against her chest.
"Everyone needs to leave," Roland announced.
Vivian hurried toward him.
"Roland, what on earth is happening?""
"Nothing, Mother. Just leave us alone.""
A guest near the doorway laughed nervously.
"Is everything all right?""
"Everything is fine," Roland snapped.
"This is a private family matter.""
I almost smiled.
It was remarkable how quickly a private family matter became everyone's business when the wrong person started asking questions.
Alistair was still beside the staircase.
His face had lost what little color it had.
I turned to him.
"You said Roland knew.""
He nodded.
"Yes.""
"How long?""
"Before the pregnancy.""
Camille suddenly appeared behind us.
"Alistair, stop talking.""
He flinched at her voice.
I looked at her.
"Why? Is he telling the truth?""
"You're twisting everything.""
"I'm asking a question.""
Camille pressed a hand against her stomach.
"You're upsetting me. Can't you see that?""
Her mother rushed over.
"Camille, sweetheart, sit down.""
Roland approached us.
"Alistair, go outside.""
His brother didn't move.
"I think I've done enough of what you told me to do.""
Roland's expression changed.
For the first time, I saw genuine fear beneath his anger.
"What did you just say?""
Alistair looked at me.
"Tell her about the agreement.""
Roland grabbed his arm.
"Shut your mouth.""
"Get your hands off me!""
The two brothers struggled briefly before Vivian stepped between them.
"Stop! Both of you!""
I took a step back.
I had no intention of becoming the center of their argument.
My phone was already recording from inside my handbag. Beatrix had advised me to document any direct threats or attempts to interfere with the records. I had not expected to need that advice at a baby shower.
Roland noticed the phone.
His face darkened.
"Are you recording us?""
I looked at him calmly.
"I'm documenting what happens to me.""
"Turn it off.""
"No.""
He glanced toward the guests.
Then he lowered his voice.
"Evelyn, you have no idea what you're getting into.""
"I think I have a better idea than you realize.""
Camille stepped closer.
"You're jealous because Roland moved on. That's all this is.""
I looked at her.
"Is that what you tell yourself?""
Her lips tightened.
"You couldn't give him a child, and now you can't stand watching me do what you couldn't.""
The room went silent.
I had heard variations of that sentence for years.
This time, however, it barely touched me.
I looked at her stomach.
"Camille, you might want to be careful about whose name you put on the birth certificate.""
Her mouth fell open.
Roland moved toward me.
"That's enough!""
I turned and walked toward the entrance.
Alistair followed.
Outside, the afternoon air was cool. The driveway was lined with expensive cars, and the white roses along the walkway moved gently in the wind.
He caught up with me near the gate.
"Evelyn, please.""
I stopped.
"You have thirty seconds.""
He looked back toward the house.
"Roland and I had an arrangement.""
"Explain.""
"Before the engagement, Camille told us she wanted a family. Roland couldn't have children, and he knew that. He had known for years.""
I crossed my arms.
"And?""
"He approached me. He said he wanted to avoid another public humiliation after the divorce. He didn't want people asking why his second marriage couldn't produce children either.""
"That's convenient.""
Alistair looked down.
"He said if I helped, the baby would be raised as his. He would provide for Camille, and the company would cover the medical expenses.""
"Helped how?""
He swallowed.
"Camille and I were already involved.""
The words landed heavily.
"So you were sleeping with her before the pregnancy.""
He nodded.
"And Roland knew.""
"Yes.""
I stared at him.
"Why did you agree?""
"Because he promised I could remain part of the child's life.""
"While pretending to be his uncle?""
Alistair's eyes filled with frustration.
"I thought I was doing the right thing.""
"You were doing the convenient thing.""
He had no answer.
I took a breath.
"Was there an embryo transfer?""
"Yes. We used a fertility clinic. There were consultations, screening, and several procedures. Roland paid for everything through Morrow Clinical Services.""
I thought about the medical invoices.
"March 14?""
Alistair looked surprised.
"Who told you about that?""
"Answer the question.""
"That was the day Camille had her final consultation before the procedure.""
"Was the pregnancy planned?""
"Yes.""
"Was Roland supposed to be listed as the father?""
"That was the agreement.""
I looked at him in disbelief.
"So you deliberately arranged for everyone to believe Roland was the biological father.""
"Roland wanted that. He said the legal arrangements could be handled afterward.""
"And you accepted?""
"I wanted a child.""
I shook my head.
"You wanted a child without consequences.""
Alistair's shoulders dropped.
"There's more.""
I waited.
"Cabinet 314 contains the original documents. Not just the medical invoices. There are payment instructions, clinic agreements, and correspondence between Roland and the company's finance director.""
"What does that prove?""
"That the payments were approved before your signature was ever obtained.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
He continued.
"Roland used the authorization you signed at the hospital. He knew you were dealing with your mother's stroke. He attached the medical payments to a batch of administrative documents and later represented them as routine company expenses.""
"So my signature was used to cover up your affair.""
"Yes.""
"And my fertility treatments?""
He looked away.
"Roland had already received the diagnosis. He knew there was no medical reason for you to undergo those procedures because of him.""
I closed my eyes.
For a moment, I could see the hospital room again.
The white ceiling.
The plastic chair.
Roland standing beside my bed with a folder of documents.
His voice telling me not to worry about the paperwork.
I had signed because I trusted him.
Alistair whispered, "I'm sorry.""
I opened my eyes.
"Don't apologize because you're afraid of Roland. Apologize because you helped him destroy someone who trusted him.""
He nodded.
"Can you give me access to the cabinet?""
"I don't have the key. The company records officer does.""
I touched the small key in my handbag.
"Then why did you tell me about it?""
"Because I wanted you to know Roland was planning something.""
"What?""
Alistair looked toward the estate.
"He wants to move the original records. He knows you can challenge the settlement if the financial fraud is established.""
"When?""
"Monday morning.""
I checked the time.
Saturday afternoon.
That gave us less than forty-eight hours.
"Why are you telling me?""
"Because Roland promised to take care of me, too. But last night, I found out he had arranged for me to sign a document that would make me responsible for the company payments.""
I studied him.
"You're being set up.""
"Yes.""
"And now you want me to save you.""
"I want you to know the truth.""
I almost laughed.
"Alistair, the truth doesn't save people. It gives them a chance to decide what to do next.""
A car door slammed behind us.
Roland was coming down the driveway.
"Alistair!""
His younger brother stepped back.
"Go," he whispered to me.
I didn't move.
Roland reached us, breathing hard.
"You've said enough.""
Alistair looked at him.
"No. I haven't.""
Roland grabbed the front of his brother's jacket.
"You have no idea what you're risking.""
Alistair pushed his hand away.
"I'm not taking the fall for you.""
Roland turned to me.
"Evelyn, this has nothing to do with you anymore.""
I met his eyes.
"You made it my business when you used my signature.""
He stared at me.
Then he said something I hadn't expected.
"You signed the documents. Nobody forced you.""
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
He really believed he could get away with that.
I pulled out my phone.
"Beatrix has the original records. She also has copies of the medical documentation and the payment history.""
The color drained from his face.
"What?""
"Goodbye, Roland.""
I walked toward my car.
Behind me, I heard him shouting at Alistair.
But I was no longer interested in their argument.
I had a destination.
And I had a key.
Before I started the engine, a message appeared on my phone.
It was from Beatrix.
I received your recording. Don't go to the records annex alone. We have a bigger problem.
A second message followed.
Cabinet 314 has already been opened.
I stared at the screen.
May you like
Then another message came through.
And the person who signed it out was Camille.
