After a long and grueling day at the police station, Diana and Mark Thomas finally arrived at the mansion, exhausted but relieved to be safe.
As they stepped out of the car, the grand entrance loomed before them, its imposing doors and towering columns a stark contrast to the chaos they had left behind.
Diana felt a sense of unease as they approached the door, her mind still reeling from the events on the yacht. But Mark's hand in hers was a comforting presence, and she squeezed it tightly as they entered the mansion.
The opulent interior enveloped them, the soft glow of chandeliers and the plush carpet a welcome respite from the trauma they had endured.
Without a word, they made their way to their room, seeking solace in each other's company. The events of the day had left them shaken, but together, they knew they could face whatever lay ahead.
Mark gathered everyone in the living room, his expression serious. "I need to tell you all something," he began, his voice low and urgent. "We're in a situation... I don't want to alarm you yet, but I will soon. For now, just know that I'm going to take care of you all, financially. You'll be receiving your full salaries, and I want you to use that to... prepare."
The staff exchanged curious glances, sensing that something was off, but not sure what.
"What's going on, Mark?" one of them asked, but Mark just shook his head.
"I'll tell you soon. Just trust me for now. I need to make some arrangements, and then I'll explain everything."
The room fell silent, anticipation and worry hanging in the air. Diana watched Mark, sensing that he was carrying a heavy burden, but not knowing what it was. Yet.
Charles, a long-time employee, spoke up, his voice firm and resolute. "Sir, we appreciate your concern for our well-being, but we can't just leave. We're in this together, sir. We've been through a lot as a team, and we're not going to abandon you now."
Mark's eyes clouded, memories of his parents' tragic death still raw.
"We want to help you get to the bottom of this," Charles continued. "We owe it to you, and to your family."
The staff nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination.
Diana felt a surge of pride and admiration for the staff's loyalty and bravery.
Mark's expression softened, his eyes misting. "Thank you, Charles. Thank you, all. I didn't expect... I didn't know what to expect."
He took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders. "Alright, then. Let's do this. Together."
The room erupted in a chorus of nods and murmurs of agreement, a sense of unity and purpose filling the air.
Just as Mark was about to respond, a voice piped up from behind Diana.
"Count me in too!"
The room turned to see Diana's face, a determined grin spreading from ear to ear.
Everyone burst out laughing, the tension in the room dissipating.
Mark chuckled, shaking his head. "I should have known better than to think you'd sit this one out, Di."
Diana shrugged, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Hey, someone's got to keep you in line."
The staff laughed even harder, their faces relaxed and cheerful for the first time since the attack.
Charles clapped Mark on the back. "Well, I think that settles it. We're all in this together."
Mark nodded, a sense of gratitude and camaraderie filling his chest. "Alright, let's get to work. We've got a mystery to solve."
Mark's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze piercing. "Bernard, I need to ask you something. Have you heard anything that might be relevant to the attack on the yacht?"
Bernard hesitated, his eyes darting around the room before settling back on Mark's face. "Sir, I don't know if it's important, but... I overheard Larry Johnson on the phone a few days ago, sir."
Mark's interest piqued, he leaned forward. "What did you hear, Bernard?"
Bernard's voice dropped to a whisper. "He was talking to one of his... associates, sir. He mentioned something about 'taking care of a yacht' and 'making sure the job gets done'. I didn't think much of it at the time, but... I wasn't sure if it was your yacht he was talking about, sir."
Mark's eyes locked onto Bernard's, his mind racing with possibilities. "Did you hear anything else, Bernard? Anything that might identify the target or the motive?"
Bernard shook his head. "No, sir. That's all I heard. But... I thought you should know, sir."
Mark's eyes remained fixed on Bernard for a moment, his mind processing the information. Then, he nodded curtly and dismissed Bernard with a wave of his hand.
As Bernard left the room, Mark's gaze drifted off, his thoughts consumed by the revelation. Larry Johnson, a man he had considered a friend, had been involved in the attack on his yacht. But why? And why had Bernard kept this information to himself until now?
Mark's thoughts were a jumble of questions and doubts. He couldn't understand why Bernard had waited until now to reveal this crucial information. Had he been afraid? Or was there something more sinister at play?
Mark's eyes narrowed as he thought back to the attack. They had been caught off guard, completely unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows. And now, it seemed, one of his own employees had knowledge of the plot beforehand.
He rubbed his temples, trying to ward off the growing headache. This was getting more complicated by the minute. He needed to get to the bottom of it, but where to start?
Mark walked into the room, his mind still reeling from the revelation. He spotted Diana sitting on the couch and strode towards her.
"Diana, I need to talk to you about something," he said, his voice low and urgent.
Diana looked up from her book, concern etched on her face. "What is it, Mark?"
Mark hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But something about Diana's calm and collected demeanor put him at ease. "Bernard just told me something that's got me shaken," he said, taking a seat next to her. "He overheard Larry Johnson talking about attacking a yacht. He didn't know if it was mine, but... I think we can assume it was."
Diana's eyes widened, her grip on her book tightening. "That's outrageous! We need to do something about it."
Mark nodded, his jaw clenched. "I know. But here's the thing - Bernard didn't tell me about this until now. I don't know why he waited so long."
Diana's expression turned thoughtful. "Maybe he was afraid. Or maybe he wanted to protect you."
Mark snorted. "Protect me? By keeping vital information from me?"
Diana placed a hand on his arm. "Mark, listen to me. We need to use this to our advantage. Let's send Bernard to spy on Larry. He can get close to him, find out what's going on, and report back to us."
Mark's eyes narrowed, considering the plan. It was risky, but it might just work. And he had a feeling that Diana was right - Bernard's secre
ts might just be the key to unlocking the truth.