CHAPTER 5: Chapter 6 - Olivia's Letter

They read the letter in the library while rain tapped softly against the windows. Olivia's words did not accuse in anger. That made them worse.
She wrote that Leon had been moving money from Maya's trust through the family foundation. She had confronted him. He had laughed at first, then warned her that no one would believe a grieving widow over the patriarch who paid their salaries.
Isabella had not been only a nanny. She had been Olivia's witness, the person Olivia trusted to take Maya away if the house became unsafe.
"Maya saw more than anyone knows," the letter said. "She was hiding with her tablet because she wanted to show me the red light. She heard Leon arguing with me before I fell. I don't know how much she understood, but I know this: if my daughter says she is afraid of him, believe her."
Maya stood very still. Her small fingers curled into Isabella's palm.
Sophia looked at Leon. "Did you know about this letter?"
Leon smiled faintly. "My daughter-in-law was unstable. Everyone knew that."
Maya whispered, "Mommy wasn't unstable. She was scared."
The flash drive contained one file.
Its title was: West Staircase - Night.