Page 113 of The Maid's Secret

You proved all the naysayers wrong, Molly. I still remember your first day, how you came home so joyful and excited. I hadn’t seen you so happy since those few weeks at the Grimthorpe mansion when I pulled you out of school and you worked side by side with me, my maid-in-training, my little shadow.

You’ve excelled at the Regency Grand, and you’ve made me so proud. But then came my diagnosis, and when I told you, you went straight to the river, Molly—denial. I worry what will happen when I’m gone. How will you cope? Will you make it on your own?

A few weeks ago, while you were at work, John came to our apartment for a visit. I shared my concerns with him. “She’ll have no one to look out for her once I’m gone,” I said.

He was shocked, upset even, which for John is a rarity. He said something that relieved a burden weighing heavily on my shoulders.

“Flora, you couldn’t be more wrong. Forever and always, Molly will have me.”

—

Chapter 35

“Detective! How lovely to see you,” Beagle says as Stark walks through the door and claims the greenroom while Angela and I stand in the threshold behind her.

“Bax and I are just finishing here. We’ll be at the Social in a moment. By the way, congratulations,” says Beagle. “The security today was flawless. Molly, Angela—I hope you kept some champagne chilled for us.”

Beagle invites us into the room.

“Mr.Brown, you’re free to leave,” says Stark to the tall blond man who looks entirely bereft despite his dapper scarlet jacket.

“Leave? Why would Bax leave?” Beagle asks. “Where he goes, I go.”

“Not this time,” says Stark. She walks over to the tiny, dark-haired man with bejeweled fingers and eagle eyes. “Thomas Beagle, you’re under arrest,” she says. “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in a court of law.”

“Arrest? Is this some kind of joke? Where’s the hidden camera?” Beagle says with a chuckle.

“They’re pretty much everywhere,” Angela replies.

“There must be some kind of mistake. I’ve done nothing wrong,” Beagle says.

“A Bee-liever convinced of his own lies,” I say.

“You hired a criminal gang to steal the Fabergé, and you threatened Molly, twice,” Stark says.

“But this is ridiculous. Bax, say something.”

“What am I supposed to say, Tom?” says Brown. “That I thought I knew you? Thought I could trust you? You’re a wolf in designer clothing.”

“Don’t say that,” says Beagle. “You know me better than anyone.”

“I thought I did. But I don’t. Not anymore.”

“That dog’s delulu,” I hear from somewhere behind me.

I turn to see Speedy standing in the doorway, pointing to Beagle. Two police officers behind him enter the greenroom and head straight for Thomas.

“Will you kindly translate Speedy into English?” I ask Angela.

“He says Beagle is delusional,” she explains.

“Scammed by tech, bruh,” says Speedy as he shakes his head.

“We heard every word you said to Brown a few minutes ago,” says Stark. “You admitted to stealing the egg. And to returning it for your own gain, so, Thomas Beagle, grandson of a baron, you’re under arrest.”

Stark’s two officers take Beagle by the arms, putting him in handcuffs.

“Do you know who I am? And do you have any idea who I know?” Beagle says, raising his voice.