“You manipulated him,” I said. “You used his debt to force him to forge the deed.”

“He did it gladly,” Claire sneered, though her lips trembled. “He wanted the estate just as much as I wanted to keep it away from Rose.”

She backed away from us, her heels clicking sharply on the cold concrete.

“But he is losing his mind,” she muttered, looking toward the dark corners of the room. “He is completely unstable.”

“Where are the keys, Claire?” Daniel asked, his voice low and threatening.

Claire didn’t answer.

She reached into her deep pocket and pulled out a small silver keyring.

Before Daniel could grab her, she darted toward the old coal chute at the back of the carriage house.

It was a narrow opening, barely large enough for a person, but she knew the old building better than anyone.

She kicked open the small iron hatch, sliding through it into the mud outside before we could stop her.

“Claire!” I yelled, running to the chute and peering down.

I looked down the dark opening, hearing her boots squelch in the wet grass.