“Search the drawers. Check the closet. Look for anything that shouldn’t be here.”

The guards immediately moved forward, their heavy hands pulling open the drawers of the antique dresser.

The sound of wood scraping and papers rustling filled the room.

I stood by the door, my heart hammering against my ribs.

If they searched the room, they might look for the ledger.

But the ledger was safe in the basement chute.

I had to remain invisible, just a quiet maid waiting for orders.

Luca began to pace around the bed, his fingers brushing the dark wood of the bedpost.

He stopped near the nightstand on Alexander’s left side.

He looked down at the small silver tray where Alexander’s daily items were kept.

There was a glass of water, a half-peeled lemon, and a small silver spoon.

Luca’s eyes narrowed.

He reached down and picked up a small, amber glass bottle that sat behind the lamp.

It was the bottle of heart medication Alexander took every night before bed.

Luca held it up to the light of the banker’s lamp.

The bottle was completely empty.