CHAPTER 6: The Camera No One Mentioned

Marion tried to take control before the word could grow teeth.
'The balcony cameras have been down all week,' she said. 'A storm damaged the wiring. Our security team can confirm it.'
Maya looked at the eaves of the house, then at the old oak near the circular drive. A small black lens sat inside a birdhouse nailed discreetly to the trunk.
She pointed to it. 'What about that one?'
Marion followed her gaze and went still.
Dorian looked at the tree as if it had betrayed him personally.
Nora closed her eyes. She knew that camera. Her father had installed it after reporters once climbed the gate during a family lawsuit. Dorian had laughed about it when they were newly married, calling it Whitacre paranoia.
Maya spoke into her radio.
'Preserve exterior footage from the oak camera, the balcony line, and the front entrance. No one enters the security room without me.'
The mansion seemed to hold its breath.