Chapter 6 - THE DETECTIVE'S DAUGHTER
Vanessa stood at the end of the hallway, her red silk gown striking a sharp contrast against the dim lighting of the staff quarters. Her eyes darted from Luca, to Grace, to the crying figure of Maria by the door.
For a fraction of a second, raw panic flashed in Vanessa’s eyes when she recognized Maria. But she recovered instantly, her face settling into a mask of righteous indignation.
“Luca, what is this woman doing in our home?” Vanessa demanded, pointing at Maria. “And why is your thief of a maid still here?”
Luca’s jaw clenched. He had the ticket in his pocket. He had Maria’s confession. But he knew Vanessa’s family was connected to powerful judges and politicians. If he confronted her now, with no hard proof of her involvement in Anna's crash, she would deny everything and destroy Maria’s family in retaliation.
He needed to play the long game. Just for a few more hours.
“This woman,” Luca said smoothly, gesturing to Maria, “is an intruder. Grace caught her trying to sneak out the back door.”
Vanessa’s eyes narrowed. “An intruder? Then call the police. And fire Grace immediately for leaving the service door unlocked.”
Grace looked at Luca, her brown eyes wide with shock. She had just handed him the most important piece of evidence regarding his late wife, and Vanessa was demanding her termination.
Luca looked at Grace. He saw the fear in her posture, the exhaustion in her face, and the quiet dignity she maintained even while injured.
“You’re right,” Luca said coldly, looking directly into Grace’s eyes. “Grace, pack your things. You’re leaving.”
Grace blinked, a tear slipping down her cheek. She didn't argue. She simply nodded, picked up her duffel bag, and walked past Vanessa without a word.
“Good riddance,” Vanessa muttered. “Now, as for this old woman—”
“I’ll handle her,” Luca interrupted, grabbing Maria by the arm. “Go back to the guests, Vanessa. Smile for the cameras. I will be up in five minutes to cut the cake.”
Vanessa hesitated, but the allure of the spotlight won. She turned and walked back toward the dining room.
As soon as she was gone, Luca released Maria. “Take Leo up the back stairs to my private office. Lock the door. Do not let anyone in except me.”
Maria nodded frantically, taking the frightened boy’s hand.
Luca turned and sprinted out the back door, into the cold Chicago night. He found Grace walking down the long gravel driveway, her shoulders hunched against the freezing wind.
He pulled his black SUV alongside her and threw the passenger door open. “Get in.”
Grace kept walking. “You fired me.”
“I saved your life,” Luca snapped, his voice tight with desperation. “If Vanessa knew what you found, she wouldn't have just fired you. Get in the car, Grace.”
She stopped, looked at his face, and climbed into the warmth of the SUV.
“Why did you hire me?” Grace asked quietly as he sped down the highway. “Of all the maids in Chicago, why me?”
“I didn’t hire you,” Luca said, gripping the steering wheel. “Vanessa manages the household staff. She hired you.”
Grace went completely still. “Why?”
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“Because your last name is Miller,” Luca said softly. “And eight years ago, the lead detective who investigated my wife’s car crash before he was forced into early retirement was named Arthur Miller. Your father.”
TITLE: The Safehouse and the Key
