Chapter 12 - MARCUS

The man in the photograph was Marcus Vale.

Daniel recognized him now.

Thirty-eight.

Expensive suits.

Online videos about “financial freedom.”

Luxury cars that probably belonged to rental companies.

And apparently, Claire’s secret boyfriend.

Daniel sat in the back of Ryan’s car staring at the picture.

Emily said nothing.

Ryan said nothing.

Finally Daniel asked, “How long?”

Emily shook her head.

“I don’t know.”

“Did you know?”

“No.”

“Did your mother?”

“I don’t know.”

Daniel called the wedding planner.

Her name was Jenna.

She answered immediately.

“Daniel, I’m so sorry.”

“How long?”

There was a pause.

“I saw them together in June.”

“Once?”

“Yes.”

“Was that the only time?”

“I only saw them once.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Jenna exhaled.

“Claire said they were discussing an investment.”

“They were kissing.”

“I know.”

“So why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because she told me you knew.”

Daniel closed his eyes.

Of course she did.

Every person got a different lie.

A custom lie.

Perfectly fitted.

“What money?” he asked.

Jenna hesitated.

“She was paying Marcus.”

“How much?”

“I don’t know.”

“Why would you know anything about that?”

“Because Claire asked me to hide charges in the wedding invoices.”

Daniel sat up.

“What?”

“She wanted some payments listed as consulting fees.”

“Did you do it?”

“No.”

“But?”

“But your mother-in-law did.”

Daniel felt exhausted.

Not shocked anymore.

Just exhausted.

“What payments?”

“Wire transfers.”

“How much?”

“Almost ninety thousand total.”

Daniel stared out the window.

Ethan had given Claire fifty.

Rosa’s money.

Household money.

Wedding money.

Ninety thousand dollars.

Maybe more.

“Where did it go?”

“To Marcus’s company.”

Daniel’s voice tightened.

“And Claire was sleeping with him.”

“I don’t know what their relationship was.”

“I do.”

After hanging up, Daniel sat in silence.

Emily touched his shoulder.

“I’m sorry.”

Daniel nodded.

He didn’t know what else to do.

His phone rang.

Unknown number.

He almost ignored it.

Then answered.

“Hello?”

“Daniel Carter?”

“Yes.”

“This is Marcus Vale.”

Daniel’s spine stiffened.

Ryan looked at him.

Daniel put the phone on speaker.

Marcus continued.

“I think we should talk.”

Daniel laughed quietly.

“I don’t.”

“You’re going to want to.”

“Why?”

“Because Claire lied to me too.”

Daniel stared at the phone.

Marcus continued.

“She told me you two were separated.”

Emily muttered, “Wow.”

Marcus said, “She told me the wedding was for appearances. Family pressure.”

Daniel rubbed his forehead.

“Did she give you ninety thousand dollars?”

A pause.

“Yes.”

“Where is it?”

“Gone.”

“Invested?”

“Some.”

“And the rest?”

Silence.

“Marcus.”

“Claire had debts.”

“What kind?”

“Credit cards. Private loans. Jewelry.”

Daniel stared.

“How much debt?”

“I don’t know the exact number.”

“Guess.”

“More than two hundred thousand.”

Ryan whispered, “Holy hell.”

Daniel closed his eyes.

Marcus said, “There’s something else.”

Daniel laughed bitterly.

“There’s always something else.”

“She asked me yesterday if I knew anyone who could make a criminal record disappear.”

Daniel opened his eyes.

“What criminal record?”

“I don’t know.”

“Marcus.”

“I swear.”

“What exactly did she say?”

“She said there might be a problem with an employee after the wedding.”

Daniel’s blood went cold.

“An employee?”

“Yes.”

“She planned this yesterday?”

“I don’t know.”

Daniel looked at Emily.

Her face had turned white.

Marcus continued.

“But she also asked me how long security cameras usually keep footage.”

Daniel stood.

“Ryan.”

“What?”

“The hotel cameras.”

Ryan understood immediately.

Daniel spoke into the phone.

“Marcus, if police call you, answer them.”

Then he hung up.

They drove back to the venue.

Howard met them at the entrance.

Daniel didn’t bother explaining.

“Security footage. Now.”

Howard’s expression changed.

“What?”

“From the staff locker hallway. Today.”

The security supervisor pulled up the recordings.

2:14 p.m.

Miguel entered his locker room.

2:17.

He left.

2:23.

A woman in a white robe and sunglasses entered the hallway.

Emily leaned toward the screen.

“That’s Claire.”

Daniel felt his heartbeat slow.

The woman approached Miguel’s locker.

She looked directly at the camera.

May you like

THE MAID’S DAUGHTER

“GET OUT OF MY HOUSE,” HIS FIANCÉE TOLD THE MAID—THEN THE MAFIA BOSS LOOKED AT HER LITTLE GIRL“Get out of my house. And take that...

**MY HUSBAND CALLED ME A “BARREN LEECH”—HE DIDN’T KNOW MY MONEY WAS KEEP...

My husband threw his wedding ring at my feet and told security to remove the “barren leech” from the ballroom.He had no idea he wa...

MY DAUGHTER’S NOTE STOPPED MY WEDDING—AND EXPOSED MY BRIDE

MY DAUGHTER SLIPPED ME A NOTE BEFORE “I DO”—AND EXPOSED MY BRIDE’S PLANPART 1 — TEN MINUTES BEFORE THE VOWS“Daddy, if you marry he...

Then smiled.

And used a key.