Chapter 3: The Truth on the Flash Drive
My fingers trembled as I plugged the flash drive into the television mounted on the hotel wall.
The screen flickered.
Then Maverick appeared.
He was wearing the very tuxedo he was supposed to marry me in.
Behind him was the same Room 237.
His face looked exhausted.
"Amy," he began quietly.
"If you're watching this, I had no choice."
My heart shattered all over again.
"I didn't run away with Penelope."
The words froze me.
"She discovered something three days ago."
The video cut to security footage from the hotel.
A man wearing a catering uniform entered Room 237 carrying flowers.
Minutes later, he left with an empty cart.
Then another clip appeared.
The same man meeting privately with my uncle, Richard.
The uncle who had insisted on paying for the entire wedding.
Maverick continued.
"Richard bribed one of the hotel employees."
"He planned to poison your champagne during the reception."
"They expected your death to look like an allergic reaction."
I stared at the screen in horror.
"But Penelope overheard them."
"They found out she knew."
"They started following her."
Maverick looked directly into the camera.
"So we disappeared first."
"I couldn't risk bringing them to the ceremony."
The video ended with one final sentence.
"Trust no one except Detective Brooks."
A knock echoed against the hotel room door.
Three slow knocks.
I turned around.
A calm voice spoke from the hallway.
May you like
"Amy?"
"This is Detective Brooks."
