Chapter 4 - The Maid’s SecretRain continued to pour over the sprawling, dark grounds of Blackwood Manor. The estate was now cordoned off with yellow police tape. Inside the dimly lit kitchen, Martha sat clutching a mug of hot tea, her hands shaking uncontrollably.

A dark figure stepped out from the shadows of the pantry.

Martha gasped, dropping her tea mug. It shattered on the tile floor. "Miss Eleanor! What are you doing here?! The police said you were under house arrest at the hotel!"

Eleanor stepped into the dim light, wearing a black raincoat, her hair damp. Her face was calm, unreadable, and dangerous.

"The police are foolish, Martha. They think in straight lines," Eleanor said softly, walking toward the old maid. "They think Ethan and I are greedy monsters trying to kill my sister for money."

"Aren't you?" Martha wept, trembling against the counter. "I saw the papers in the library! I saw what you two did to her mother's estate!"

"You saw what we wanted you to see," Eleanor replied, stepping closer until she was inches from Martha. She reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a small black flash drive, placing it on the counter. "Do you know what is on this drive, Martha?"

Martha shook her head, terrified.

"It’s the security footage from the conservatory hall... four hours before the party tonight," Eleanor whispered. "The footage that shows you entering Claire’s bedroom and mixing a clear liquid into her evening medicine."

Martha’s face went completely ghost-white. The color drained from her skin as if she had seen a phantom.

"Y-you're lying..." Martha stammered.

"Toxicology reports take forty-eight hours," Eleanor continued ruthlessly. "When Claire’s blood test results come back on Monday, they will find high doses of Synthetic Paralytic B-7—a rare poison that causes sudden muscle failure and hallucinations. The exact substance used to kill my mother six months ago."

Eleanor leaned in close to Martha's ear.

"You didn't put that poison in Claire's drink because Ethan told you to, did you, Martha? You did it because someone else has been paying your brother's illegal gambling debts for the last three years."

CHAPTER 4 HOOK: Martha collapsed to her knees, sobbing hysterical tears. "I had no choice! He threatened to kill my son! He told me if Claire didn't fall off that balcony tonight, he would send my son's head in a box!"

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Arthur Sterling tapped his leather-wrapped fingers against the steering...

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The wind on the balcony was sharp, carrying the bitter, fish-heavy tang...

Eleanor's eyes narrowed. "Who is 'he'?"

Martha choked out the name: "The real head of the Blackwood Estate..."