Chapter 2
Nobody moved toward the ringing phone.
Gabriel watched Arthur instead.
That was more useful.
Arthur’s eyes had gone toward the staircase before the sound even started.
He knew who was calling.
“Whose phone?”
Arthur laughed through blood on his lip.
“You think one ringtone gives you answers?”
Gabriel picked up a memory card.
“You attacked me over these.”
“Because you were emotional.”
Olivia stared at him.
Arthur looked toward her.
“This is what happens when servants touch things beyond their station.”
Gabriel’s expression hardened.
Olivia said nothing.
Arthur smiled.
“Good. At least she learns.”
Nero growled again.
Caleb pushed broken shelving away from his legs.
“You should’ve left the dog outside.”
Gabriel turned.
“Why?”
Caleb realized too late.
Because Nero had found the device.
And now Caleb had admitted the dog was a problem before tonight.
Gabriel stepped closer.
“How many times has he bothered you?”
Caleb said nothing.
Olivia whispered:
“Nero wouldn’t enter this room last week.”
Gabriel looked at her.
“What happened?”
“He stood outside and barked.”
Arthur interrupted.
“Dogs bark.”
Olivia continued.
“Caleb dragged him away.”
Caleb snapped:
“He was disturbing guests.”
Nero’s lips lifted.
Gabriel crouched and let the dog smell one memory card.
Nero turned immediately toward the staircase.
Arthur’s face changed.
Small.
Enough.
Gabriel stood.
“Olivia.”
“Yes?”
“Collect every card.”
Arthur laughed.
“Giving a maid evidence now?”
Gabriel looked at him.
“No.”
Pause.
“I’m giving someone who didn’t betray me something you’re afraid to lose.”
That silenced him.
The phone below stopped ringing.
Five seconds later—
it rang again.
Different tone.
Caleb whispered:
“Dad.”
Arthur glared at him.
Too late.
Gabriel smiled without humor.
“Two phones.”
He looked down the stairs.
“Two people waiting for updates.”
Arthur recovered.
“Or twenty.”
Gabriel’s eyes settled on him.
“Good.”
Arthur frowned.
Gabriel continued:
May you like
“Then twenty people are about to learn you’re no longer answering.”
And Arthur’s confidence finally slipped.
