Cold-Blooded

Chapter 13

The morning light filtered through my curtains, casting a warm glow in my small room. I stirred awake, feeling the weight of the past few weeks pressing down on my mind. Memories of the dinner party, the strange envelope, and the cryptic message lingered, igniting a sense of urgency within me.

I rose, stretching my arms and shaking off the remnants of sleep. The house was quiet, a rare moment of peace before the day began. As I made my way to the kitchen, the smell of coffee wafted through the air. Evelyn was already at work, bustling about with her usual practiced ease.

"Good morning, Blair!" she greeted me with a cheerful smile. "Could you help me out? I need someone to dust the office in the basement. It's been neglected for too long."

"Sure, I can do that," I replied, my curiosity piqued. The office was the same one mentioned in my message, and I couldn't resist the chance to explore it further.

After a quick breakfast, I headed down the stairs to the basement. The cool air greeted me as I descended, wrapping around me like a shroud. My heart raced at the thought of what I might find.

The room was dimly lit, dust motes dancing in the soft glow of a single bulb. I began my task, wiping down surfaces and trying to appear casual. As I dusted a large painting hanging on the wall, I noticed something peculiar—a slight gap behind it. Intrigued, I carefully moved the painting aside.

There it was: a tall cabinet, its wood darkened with age and neglect. A thrill of excitement coursed through me. Was this the hidden storage I had been searching for?

With a glance over my shoulder to ensure I was alone, I approached the cabinet. I tugged on the door, and it creaked open, revealing a collection of old files and folders stacked haphazardly. The sight sent a jolt through me; this was no ordinary storage space.

As I rifled through the documents, my breath caught in my throat. There were papers detailing financial transactions, family trees, and even references to my own family, alongside notes about Theodore's lineage. It was a trove of information I had never anticipated finding. I quickly gathered several files, carefully tucking them into my bag before shutting the cabinet and replacing the painting.

"Blair! Are you down there?" Evelyn's voice echoed through the basement, jolting me back to reality.

"Just finishing up!" I called back, my heart racing. I took a deep breath to ensure my composure and exited the office, making my way back to the main floor.

Later that night, as the house settled into a familiar quiet, I sat on my bed, my heart racing with anticipation. I opened the files I had taken, spread them across my small desk, and began to delve into their contents. Each page told a story, weaving a complex tapestry of connections between my family and Theodore's.

There were financial documents that hinted at shady dealings—money transfers that didn't add up, accounts that appeared and disappeared. The family trees revealed connections I had never considered; relatives long forgotten now emerged as figures in my life, shadows lingering just out of sight.

One document caught my eye: a ledger outlining a series of transactions with dates leading back decades, all tied to a family business rumored to be involved in illicit activities. A chill ran down my spine as I traced the names with my finger, my own surname appearing alongside Theodore's.

The implications were staggering. I had always known there were secrets, but this was deeper, more sinister than I had anticipated. My family wasn't just entwined in the past; we were part of something larger, something dangerous.

A knock on my door broke my concentration. "Blair, you alright in there?" It was Evelyn's voice, filled with genuine concern.

"Just organizing some things!" I called back, quickly shoving the files under my bed. I took a moment to steady my breathing, reminding myself to remain calm. The last thing I needed was to raise suspicion.

"Okay, just checking. Don't stay up too late!" she replied, her footsteps retreating down the hall.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. The weight of the files felt like a burden I hadn't asked for, yet it also filled me with purpose. I couldn't ignore what I had discovered; it was too important.

Determined to piece together the connections, I decided I needed more information. But I had to be cautious. If James were already searching for answers, I couldn't risk being caught off guard.

The following morning, I woke with a sense of resolve. The unanswered questions about the missing files nagged at me, pushing me to act. I could feel James's eyes on me, could sense that he knew something was off.

As I descended into the basement again, tension coiled in my gut. I needed to be strategic—if I confronted him directly, he might retreat further into secrecy. Instead, I would act as if everything were normal.

I entered the office, pretending to sort through old papers while my mind raced with thoughts of how to approach him later. I could feign casual interest in our family's history or ask leading questions.

The office felt heavy with unspoken secrets, the air thick with anticipation. I took a deep breath, allowing myself to wonder what James had uncovered and how it might change everything. I could no longer afford to stand on the sidelines; the investigation was becoming personal, and I had to know the truth.

As I finished in the office, I glanced over at the cabinet. The mystery of what had been inside still loomed large. Whatever I had found was just the beginning of a much larger story—a story that intertwined our fates in ways I was only beginning to understand.

Tomorrow, I would approach him, ready to draw out the truth, no matter how painful. The tangled web of our families was about to be unraveled, and I was determined to uncover every secret.

(A/N - Shout out to @Lansalord109 for being my first follower. Thanks!)