Chapter 2 - CAREFUL, SIR
The woman introduced herself before Julian could stop her.
“Vanessa Ashford.”
The name explained the diamonds.
Her family owned the hotel.
Julian had not entered the lobby by accident.
He had entered the next fortune he intended to steal.
A security officer approached.
“Is there a problem?”
Julian smiled.
“No.”
“Yes,” I said.
His eyes hardened.
Vanessa looked at me.
“What is your name?”
“Claire Morgan.”
Julian’s false smile almost broke.
Vanessa repeated it.
“Morgan?”
“My husband was Julian Morgan.”
The security officer looked at Julian.
Vanessa slowly removed her arm from his.
“What name did you give me?”
Julian said, “This woman is confused.”
I pulled the wedding ring from beneath my uniform collar.
“Our wedding date is engraved inside.”
“Anyone can buy a ring.”
I turned toward the security camera.
“Then preserve the footage and call the police.”
Julian reached for my wrist.
I stepped back.
The security officer moved between us.
“Sir, don’t touch her.”
Vanessa’s expression changed.
She was no longer confused.
She was measuring him.
“Why did you recognize the necklace?”
“I didn’t.”
“You stared at it.”
“Because she pushed it toward me.”
I had done no such thing.
Julian built lies quickly because most people heard confidence before content.
That talent once made me love him.
He could make any room feel safe.
Even while setting it on fire.
Vanessa addressed the security officer.
“Close the executive exits.”
Julian looked at her.
“You’re overreacting.”
“Then explain calmly.”
He glanced toward the USB drive.
I noticed.
So did Vanessa.
“What’s on it?” she asked.
“I don’t know yet.”
Julian knew.
Three years earlier, I found the drive beneath our apartment floor.
Its files were encrypted.
I kept it because someone repeatedly searched my belongings after his death.
Two days earlier, I discovered the password.
May you like
A number engraved inside the wedding ring.
Julian had left his crime beneath the symbol of our marriage.
