Chapter 9: The Missing Folder
Chapter 9: The Missing Folder
Mary rushed toward Sophia.
“Don’t move.”
“I’m okay,” Sophia whispered. “Someone shoved me.”
The detectives searched the ballroom.
The red folder containing the original evidence had disappeared.
Daniel stood near the altar.
Victoria remained beside Charles.
Richard was across the room speaking with security.
Any one of them could have taken it.
Mary crouched beside Sophia.
“Who was near you?”
“I couldn’t see. The lights went out.”
“Did they say anything?”
Sophia hesitated.
“They smelled like your father’s cologne.”
Mary slowly looked toward Richard.
He saw her expression and shook his head.
“I didn’t touch her.”
Victoria gave a quiet laugh.
“Still certain your father is the innocent one?”
Mary ignored her.
Hotel security reviewed footage from the emergency cameras. The blackout had lasted only fourteen seconds.
During that time, a man wearing a catering uniform had moved through the crowd and taken the folder.
His face was concealed beneath a cap.
“He exited through the kitchen,” the security chief said.
“Seal the hotel,” Mary ordered.
Daniel scoffed.
“You don’t own the police.”
“No. But my family owns this building.”
Richard’s phone rang.
He answered, listened and went pale.
“What happened?” Mary asked.
He lowered the phone.
“The merger transfer completed.”
Daniel now held temporary joint control of Mary’s shares.
Victoria’s expression relaxed.
Mary turned toward Daniel.
“Reverse it.”
“I don’t know how.”
“Then learn quickly.”
“I never authorized the transfer.”
“Your signature is on it.”
“So is yours.”
Mary stepped closer.
“Use that control and I will make certain every future employer, investor and woman you meet sees exactly who you are.”
Daniel stared at her.
“You already destroyed me.”
“No,” she said quietly. “You did that before I opened the door.”
Sophia attempted to stand.
A folded piece of paper fell from her sleeve.
Mary picked it up.
It had not been there before the blackout.
On it was a handwritten message:
The evidence you want is in Mary’s bridal car. Come alone.
Beneath the words was a room number.
Parking Level B4.
Mary showed it to the detective.
“It’s a trap,” he said.
“Obviously.”
“You’re not going.”
Mary folded the note and placed it inside her clutch.
“Someone stole evidence, attacked Sophia and now has access to my vehicle.”
The detective blocked her path.
“We will handle it.”
Mary looked at the ballroom exits.
The catering thief was already gone.
And whoever had taken the folder knew details about her father, the marriage filing and the hotel.
This was not Victoria acting alone.
Mary lowered her voice.
“Then you should move quickly.”
A sudden explosion echoed from beneath the hotel.
The floor trembled.
Guests screamed.
Smoke began rising through the ventilation system.
Mary ran toward the window.
Far below, flames were consuming her white bridal car.
May you like
The evidence was burning inside it.
Or someone wanted her to believe it was.
