Chapter 10 - Beneath the Stage.
The Vale Arts Center occupied an entire block near the river, its stone facade wrapped in scaffolding for a renovation that never seemed to end.
At seven thirty, construction crews began arriving through the east gate.
Daniel had uniforms waiting.
Nora remained at the safe office to prepare a timed release of the Mercer files.
Evelyn covered her gown with a worker's coat but kept the black jacket folded inside a tool bag.
"You really plan to wear that thing out of every building tonight?" Daniel asked.
"It has pockets."
He almost smiled.
They entered with a maintenance group and separated near the lobby.
The center smelled of fresh paint and old wood.
Under the main theater, narrow corridors connected rehearsal rooms, storage areas, dressing rooms, and mechanical spaces.
Margaret's door was at the end of a hall guarded by two men in plain suits.
Daniel pulled a fire alarm from a maintenance panel two corridors away.
A bell rang through the building.
Workers began moving toward exits.
The two guards looked at each other.
One stayed.
The other stepped away to check the corridor.
Evelyn appeared around the corner carrying a clipboard.
"Fire control says this section must clear."
The guard looked irritated.
"We're staying."
"Then sign the refusal."
She held out the clipboard.
He glanced down.
That was enough.
Daniel came from behind and restrained him quickly, lowering him to the floor without unnecessary force.
Evelyn entered 4-2-6 on the keypad.
The door opened.
Margaret stood inside.
For one second, neither woman spoke.
Margaret looked older than she had in the ballroom.
Without the silver lights and wealthy guests around her, she looked like someone who had been running from one decision for twelve years.
"I'm sorry," she said.
Evelyn wanted to ask which part.
Instead she handed Margaret the black jacket.
"Put this on."
They moved through the basement as the alarm continued.
Near the loading corridor, Margaret stopped.
"There's something you need to know before Adrian arrives."
Evelyn faced her.
"Say it while we're moving."
"Your father wasn't arrested because Victor discovered the copied records."
"Then why?"
Margaret swallowed.
"Because I told Victor where Thomas kept them."
Evelyn stopped walking.
Daniel looked back.
Margaret's eyes filled with shame, but she did not look away.
"I gave him the location."
"I thought Victor would take the records and leave Thomas alone."
"Instead he destroyed the files, blamed your father, and used my statement to make the story complete."
Evelyn's voice became quiet.
"You didn't just lie in court."
"No."
"You started it."
"Yes."
The fire alarm suddenly stopped.
Silence filled the basement.
Then a voice came over the theater's public-address system.
Adrian's voice.
"Evelyn."
All three froze.
"You always choose the dramatic exit."
Metal doors locked throughout the corridor.
May you like
Adrian continued.
"This time, there isn't one."
