The Woman They Tried to Bury Alive

Chapter 3: The Locked Chapel

The chapel doors slammed shut.

Guests gasped as two private guards locked them from inside. The old man, Lord Henry Blackwood, stood near the aisle with cold control returning to his face.

"Everyone remain calm," he said. "My sister is confused. The maid has caused a public breakdown."

Clara stepped in front of the coffin. "She said poison."

Henry looked at her like she was dirt on his shoe. "And you are a servant holding an axe at a funeral."

That silenced several guests.

Clara knew how it looked.

A poor maid. A broken coffin. A grieving family. Rich people could turn truth into madness with a few clean sentences.

But Rose was not silent.

"My sister was alive," she said. "That is all the proof I need."

Arthur snapped, "You are emotional."

Rose turned on him. "And you are afraid."

Margaret shook her head, crying harder. "Father said it would be painless. He said Mother would never wake."

The chapel went silent.

Arthur stared at her. "Margaret."

But it was too late.

Henry's face darkened.

Clara looked from Margaret to Henry. "You did this together."

Margaret covered her mouth, as if she could push the words back in.

Henry moved fast for an old man. He pulled a small pistol from inside his coat.

"No one leaves this chapel," he said.

Several guests screamed.

Then Evelyn made another sound from inside the coffin.

A weak, painful breath.

Clara looked down and saw Evelyn's fingers curled around something hidden beneath the burial cloth. Clara reached in and pulled it free.

A small silver key.

Rose gasped.

"The family vault," she whispered.

Henry's gun shifted toward Clara.

"Give me that."

Clara backed away.

"What is in the vault?"

Henry's mouth tightened.

Rose answered, her eyes locked on the key.

"The real will."