Shadows in the Office | Shadows of Aurora | S01E05
Shadows of Aurora: Chapter 5 - Shadows in the Office
Ella Confronts Michael
The storm raged on as Ella made her way to Michael Grant’s office. The narrow hallway felt colder than it should have, the shadows from flickering lanterns stretching along the walls. With every step, her mind raced. Michael had been the first to find Olivia’s body, his face pale and his composure shattered. She couldn’t shake the feeling that he knew more than he was letting on.
Michael’s office was immaculate, every surface meticulously organized. The walls were lined with polished wood shelves holding binders, books on wellness, and framed photos of smiling guests. Yet, despite its outward perfection, the space felt suffocating, as though it was hiding something. Ella’s gaze landed on a small cabinet in the corner. She instinctively reached for it.
A Suspicious Encounter
“What do you think you’re doing?” Michael’s voice startled her.
She turned to find him standing in the doorway, his wet hair plastered to his forehead, his expression a mix of anger and unease. “We need to talk,” Ella said, her tone firm. “You were the first one at the crime scene. What aren’t you telling me?”
Michael stepped inside, closing the door behind him. His usual confidence seemed frayed, his shoulders hunched. “I already told you everything I know,” he said, his voice strained.
Ella folded her arms, studying him. “I don’t believe you. Olivia was murdered, and you’re acting like a man with something to hide. So, tell me—what is it?”
Michael’s Confession
Michael’s eyes flicked to the cabinet she’d been reaching for, and Ella didn’t miss the slight tremor in his hands. “This is ridiculous,” he said, attempting to regain his composure. “I’ve been managing this retreat for years. I would never harm Olivia.”
“Maybe not directly,” Ella said, stepping closer. “But I think you were desperate to cover something up. Olivia found out, didn’t she? She knew about the money you’ve been skimming from the retreat. The guests’ private sessions, the retreat’s boutique, even the wine tastings—every glass of 19 crime wine you served came with a hefty profit for you.”
Michael’s face turned ashen. “You don’t understand,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “It wasn’t like that. I only borrowed a little, and I was going to pay it back.”
Ella raised an eyebrow. “Borrowed? Or stole? Let me guess—Olivia found out and threatened to expose you. That sounds like motive to me.”
The Torn Appointment Book
Michael sank into the chair behind his desk, his hands covering his face. “She said she’d ruin me,” he admitted, his voice muffled. “She said if I didn’t confess, she’d go public. But I didn’t kill her. I swear.”
Ella leaned against the desk, her expression unreadable. “Then who did? Because from where I’m standing, this looks like a major crime, and you’re at the center of it.”
Michael looked up at her, his eyes wide with panic. “I didn’t kill her,” he repeated. “You have to believe me.”
Ella sighed, unsure whether to trust him. She glanced around the room, her eyes landing on Olivia’s appointment book lying on the desk. The pages were torn, the edges ragged. She flipped through it, noting several missing entries. “What happened here?” she asked, holding up the book.
The Search for Surveillance Footage
“Where’s the surveillance footage?” she asked.
Michael blinked, looking up at her. “What?”
“This retreat is too exclusive not to have security cameras,” Ella said. “Where’s the footage from last night?”
Michael hesitated before opening a drawer and pulling out a small USB drive. “Here,” he said reluctantly. “But it won’t show much. The cameras in the spa don’t cover the meditation room.”
Ella snatched the drive from his hand. “We’ll see about that.”
The Surveillance Footage
Back in her cabin, Ella plugged the USB drive into her laptop, her hands trembling slightly. The storm outside had intensified, the wind howling through the trees as rain lashed against the windows. She opened the first file, her heart pounding.
The footage was grainy but clear enough to identify the figures it captured. Ella fast-forwarded through hours of video, watching as guests moved through the spa. There was Marcus, pacing near the entrance. Sophia, glancing nervously over her shoulder. Andrew, slipping into the lounge with a bottle of 19 crime wine in hand. And then there was Lila, darting into the hallway leading to the meditation room.
Ella paused the video, her eyes narrowing. She rewound it, watching Lila’s movements more closely. The young woman looked over her shoulder before disappearing from view. It was brief, but it was enough to raise suspicion.
She continued scrolling through the footage, her breath catching when she saw Olivia entering the spa alone. Minutes later, a shadowy figure followed her—someone cloaked in darkness, their face hidden. The figure moved with purpose, their steps deliberate. Ella leaned closer to the screen, trying to make out any identifying details, but the footage ended abruptly.
Confronting Michael Again
Ella returned to Michael’s office, the USB drive clutched tightly in her hand. He looked up as she entered, his expression wary. “Did you find anything?” he asked.
“I found enough,” Ella said, her tone icy. She placed the drive on his desk. “There’s someone on this footage who clearly doesn’t belong. Someone who erased their tracks. Care to explain?”
Michael’s face paled. “I don’t know who that could be.”
Ella leaned forward, her voice low. “I think you do. Olivia wasn’t just uncovering personal secrets—she was uncovering crimes. Yours, and maybe others’. Someone in this retreat had a lot to lose, and now Olivia’s dead because of it.”
The Warning
Michael swallowed hard, his gaze darting toward the door. “You think I’m lying?”
“I think you’re hiding something,” Ella said. “And if you don’t start talking, it’s only a matter of time before the police figure it out.”
The storm outside grew louder, the wind rattling the windows. Michael slumped in his chair, defeated. “I didn’t kill her,” he whispered. “But someone here did. And if you’re not careful, you might be next.”
Ella straightened, her resolve hardening. “We’ll see about that.”
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