Chapter 10 - The Death That Wasn't NaturalHenri Beaumont had died of a heart attack.
That was what the family had been told.
He had collapsed in his study on a quiet April evening.
Genevieve had found him beside his desk.
By the time emergency services arrived, he was gone.
There had been no signs of violence.
No suspicious circumstances.
Only a grieving wife, a devastated son, and a family friend who promised to handle everything.
Victor Delacroix.
Now Sofia was telling Alexandre that Claire believed Henri had been murdered.
Alexandre stared at her.
“Are you sure that's what she said?”
Sofia nodded.
“Those were her exact words.”
Genevieve sank into a chair.
“No.”
Thomas stood beside the window, speaking urgently into his phone.
He had already contacted the police.
The location near Chambéry was being investigated.
But Claire's call suggested that someone might be in immediate danger.
Alexandre paced the room.
“Victor was at the mansion the night Dad died.”
Genevieve looked up.
“What?”
“He came for dinner.”
“I remember.”
“He left before your father collapsed.”
Genevieve shook her head.
“No. He came back.”
Alexandre stopped.
“What?”
Genevieve stared at the floor.
“After you went home, Victor returned.”
“Why?”
“He said Henri wanted to discuss a financial matter.”
Thomas ended his call.
“Mrs. Beaumont, are you certain?”
Genevieve nodded.
“Yes.”
“Did you see Victor leave?”
She hesitated.
“No.”
Alexandre felt cold.
“Mom, why didn't you tell anyone?”
“Because I didn't think it mattered.”
Thomas looked concerned.
“Was an autopsy performed?”
Genevieve shook her head.
“The physician certified a natural death.”
“Who was the physician?”
She hesitated.
“Dr. Alain Perrin.”
Alexandre stared.
“Victor's personal doctor.”
Genevieve covered her mouth.
Thomas immediately began documenting the information.
“We need to provide this to investigators.”
Alexandre looked toward Henri's photograph.
For six months, he had mourned a father who died suddenly.
Now he wondered whether Henri had been killed because he was finally ready to expose the truth.
The thought filled him with rage.
But beneath the anger was grief.
He remembered the last conversation they had shared.
Henri had asked him to visit more often.
Alexandre had laughed.
“Dad, I'm here almost every day.”
Henri had smiled.
“Not as my business partner. As my son.”
Alexandre had promised they would have dinner the following weekend.
They never did.
Now he would give anything for one more conversation.
One more chance to ask the questions he had been too busy to ask.
One more chance to tell his father he loved him.
That night, investigators entered the property near Chambéry.
The house was empty.
But there were signs that someone had been living there recently.
Food in the refrigerator.
Fresh bedding.
A broken mobile phone beneath a chair.
And a small medical bag containing supplies for treating an injured person.
A police officer called Thomas.
“We found evidence suggesting at least two people were here within the last twenty-four hours.”
“Any indication of where they went?”
“We're working on it.”
Thomas hesitated.
“Was there anything else?”
The officer paused.
“Yes.”
“What?”
“A handwritten note.”
Thomas felt his pulse quicken.
“What did it say?”
The officer read it aloud.
I came here willingly because Isabelle promised to tell me the truth.
But Victor found us.
If I disappear, please tell my family I was trying to protect them.
Thomas closed his eyes.
“Was it signed?”
“Yes.”
“Claire?”
“No.”
Thomas froze.
“Then who?”
May you like
The officer answered.
“Isabelle Delacroix.”
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