The Recording in the Rabbit
Chapter 02 - The Recording in the Rabbit
Julian locked the bedroom and called his security director, Marcus Hale.
Celeste demanded medical attention and threatened to contact the police. Julian arranged for a physician to examine her in the guest suite. He also ordered that no one remove any device, document, or recording from the mansion.
Marcus opened the rabbit’s hidden compartment.
Inside were three objects: a tiny digital recorder, a brass key no longer than a fingernail, and a folded strip of paper.
The paper carried Leah’s handwriting.
FOR AMARA. OPEN ONLY WHEN SOMEONE TRIES TO TAKE BUNNY.
Julian sat on the edge of the bed.
He recognized every curve of the letters.
Amara stayed beside him under a blanket.
Marcus connected the recorder to an offline laptop.
The first files were recent.
Celeste’s voice filled the room.
“She cannot return to school until the trust is transferred.”
Another man answered.
“The board needs a medical reason.”
“Then call it emotional instability. Her mother died. No one will question it.”
The recording continued.
Celeste discussed forged therapy reports, missing charity funds, and a petition that would remove Julian as Amara’s legal guardian if he resisted the marriage.
The speaker was Victor Lane, the Cross family attorney.
Julian had trusted Victor since childhood.
The final recent recording came from that morning.
“The child took the key,” Victor said.
“She doesn’t know she has it,” Celeste replied. “Leah hid it inside the rabbit.”
Julian looked at the brass key.
Amara touched the bunny’s ear.
“Mom gave it to me before she went to the hospital.”
“You were two.”
“I remember her song.”
Julian had believed Amara was too young to remember anything.
The older files proved otherwise.
Leah’s voice appeared next.
“Julian, if you hear this, the fire was not an accident.”
The room became silent.
Leah explained that she had discovered money disappearing from the Cross Children’s Foundation. The theft was connected to private clinics, false foster placements, and a trust created for Amara.
“If I disappear,” Leah said, “do not trust the person who comforts you first.”
Julian closed his eyes.
May you like
After the fire, Victor Lane had been the first person to reach him.
Celeste had been the second.
