Chapter 2 - The Woman in the Dark
Nora turned toward the voice.
Before she could identify the speaker, a hand closed gently around her wrist.
“Walk,” the woman whispered.
The emergency lights flickered on, filling the ballroom with dim red light.
Guests shouted.
Security officers moved toward the elevator.
But Ethan was no longer standing beside the shaft.
The flash drive was gone with him.
Nora was guided between two banquet tables and behind a velvet curtain near the orchestra platform.
The woman released her.
It was Maya Reed, the bridesmaid who had been shown receiving the ring box from the bride.
Her face was pale, and her champagne-colored dress was damp with sweat.
“You helped them frame me,” Nora said.
“Yes.”
Maya’s voice shook.
“But not for the reason you think.”
Nora stepped back.
“I watched you take the ring box.”
“Celeste handed it to me. She told me Vivian wanted it placed in your purse.”
Nora’s eyes hardened.
“And you agreed?”
Maya looked ashamed.
“They had my brother.”
Nora stared at her.
“What does that mean?”
“My brother worked in Hale Meridian’s research division. Three months ago, he tried to report falsified clinical trial results.”
Maya swallowed.
“Two days later, he disappeared.”
A cold pressure spread through Nora’s chest.
“Disappeared?”
“Vivian told me he had stolen company files. She said if I didn’t cooperate tonight, she would turn him over to federal investigators.”
“That doesn’t explain why you trusted her.”
“I didn’t. But I thought he was alive.”
Maya reached beneath the fabric at her waist and removed a tiny memory card.
“This came from Celeste’s phone.”
Nora looked at it but did not take it.
“What’s on it?”
“Messages between Celeste, Vivian, Ethan, and your doctor.”
Nora’s hand moved instinctively to her stomach.
“My doctor?”
“Dr. Carlisle has been sending Vivian your medical records for months.”
Nora’s knees nearly gave out.
Maya caught her elbow.
“They were building a case that pregnancy had made you mentally unstable.”
Nora remembered every appointment.
Every personal question.
Every moment Dr. Carlisle had smiled and assured her that anxiety was normal.
“What did Ethan say in the messages?”
Maya hesitated.
“That depends on when he sent them.”
Nora’s eyes narrowed.
“Explain.”
“At first, he was helping them.”
Maya looked toward the ballroom.
“But six weeks ago, his messages changed. He started asking questions. Copying files. Recording conversations.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
“You expect me to believe he suddenly grew a conscience?”
“No.”
Maya’s answer came quickly.
“I think he discovered Vivian planned to get rid of him too.”
A crash sounded beyond the curtain.
Then Chief Grant’s voice echoed through the ballroom.
“Mrs. Cole is missing. Seal every exit.”
Maya grabbed Nora’s hand again.
“That’s what I was warning you about. Grant isn’t protecting you.”
“How do you know?”
“Because he is the one who brought my brother to Vivian.”
Nora stared at her.
Maya pressed the memory card into Nora’s palm.
“There’s a service hallway behind this stage. It leads to the kitchen.”
“What about Ethan?”
“If he escaped, he’ll go to the bridal suite.”
“Why?”
Maya looked at the card in Nora’s hand.
“Because the documents they wanted you to sign are only copies.”
“Where are the originals?”
“In a safe behind the bridal mirror.”
The curtain suddenly moved.
Chief Grant stepped through it.
His hand rested inside his jacket.
“Mrs. Cole,” he said calmly, “come with me.”
Nora backed away.
Grant’s eyes shifted to Maya.
“You’ve caused enough trouble.”
Maya moved between him and Nora.
“Run.”
Grant reached for her.
But before he could touch either woman, a champagne bottle struck the wall beside his head.
Glass exploded across the floor.
Celeste—the bride—stood behind him, still wearing her wedding gown.
“Leave them alone,” she said.
Grant slowly turned.
Celeste was holding the missing diamond ring.
May you like
And it was covered in blood.
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