The Secret Beneath the Clock Tower
Chapter 2
Vivian had never understood why her father avoided certain subjects.
He was a man who could negotiate with bankers, politicians, contractors, and angry investors without blinking.
Yet whenever someone mentioned the hotel before 1998, he became strangely quiet.
She had always assumed it was because of her mother.
Her mother, Elena, had died when Vivian was twelve.
The official story was simple.
A car accident.
A wet road.
A truck that crossed the center line.
End of story.
At least, that was what Vivian had been told.
She pushed the thought aside.
There were more immediate problems.
By noon, the hotel’s renovation contractor had informed her that another payment had been delayed.
By two, three long-term corporate clients had requested discounts.
By four, a local newspaper had published an article questioning whether the Cole Meridian could survive the year.
Vivian sat alone in her office, staring at the headline.
Then someone knocked.
It was the umbrella vendor.
She stood immediately.
“How did you get in here?”
“I didn’t.”
He held up a small envelope.
“A delivery boy asked me to bring this to the front desk. They told me to give it to you.”
Vivian took it reluctantly.
“Thank you.”
He nodded.
But before leaving, he said, “You should read it before Mr. Vale does.”
Vivian looked up.
“What does that mean?”
He had already turned away.
“Wait.”
He stopped.
“Who are you?”
The man smiled.
“Daniel Reed.”
“And why do you know Martin Vale?”
“I don’t.”
“Then why would you say that?”
Daniel looked toward the hallway.
“Because sometimes you don’t have to know a man personally to recognize what he’s doing.”
Then he left.
Vivian opened the envelope.
Inside was a photocopy of an old property document.
She stared at it.
The paper was dated June 14, 1998.
At the bottom was a signature.
Elena Cole.
Vivian’s mother.
Her pulse quickened.
She read the document again.
It appeared to be a land transfer agreement.
But the hotel wasn’t listed as the buyer.
The buyer was a company called Meridian Development Holdings.
Vivian had never heard of it.
She reached for her phone.
Before she could call anyone, the office door opened.
Martin Vale walked in.
“Everything all right?”
Vivian quickly turned the paper facedown.
“Yes.”
He smiled.
“You look pale.”
“Long day.”
Martin stepped closer.
“What are you holding?”
“Nothing.”
His eyes moved to the envelope.
Vivian noticed something.
For just a fraction of a second, his face changed.
Not confusion.
Recognition.
Fear.
Then it disappeared.
“Where did you get that?”
Vivian stood.
“Why?”
Martin’s voice became sharper.
“Where did you get it?”
She didn’t answer.
He stared at her.
Then he smiled again.
“You should be careful with old documents, Vivian. They can create problems where none existed before.”
After he left, Vivian locked the door.
She looked at the signature again.
Her mother’s name stared back at her.
And suddenly, the umbrella vendor’s warning made sense.
Someone inside the hotel was hiding something.
