Chapter 4 — The Locked Hotel
Detective Ruiz pulled the curtains shut and ordered everyone away from the windows.
Marcus Vale was still inside the hotel.
The photograph proved it.
Police searched every floor, but the wedding had brought nearly four hundred guests, musicians, caterers and contractors into the building. Marcus could disappear among them easily.
Sophie studied the threatening image.
“It wasn’t taken from outside,” she said.
Ruiz looked at her.
“What makes you think that?”
“The reflection.”
In the window, behind the photographer, Sophie could make out a gold wall fixture.
The fixtures outside were silver.
The photograph had been taken from the narrow maintenance hallway behind the private room.
Officers entered it but found only an abandoned gray jacket and a hotel access card.
The card belonged to Olivia.
She stared at it.
“That was in my bridal suite.”
Someone had entered the suite before the ceremony.
Olivia, Sophie and Ruiz went upstairs under police protection. The room appeared untouched until Sophie noticed that Olivia’s suitcase was slightly open.
Inside, beneath folded clothes, was a medical file.
Dr. Harper examined it.
The file contained Olivia’s complete cardiology history, medication schedule and allergy information.
Daniel had known exactly how much anesthetic to use.
Olivia sat heavily on the edge of the bed.
“He knew about my condition because I trusted him.”
Sophie opened the bedside drawer.
Inside was a second phone.
The screen displayed dozens of messages between Daniel and someone saved only as M.
Most concerned Brightwell Biotech.
One message was different.
After the collapse, Rachel takes the blame. Olivia disappears. We release the statement Monday.
Another message followed.
And Sophie?
Daniel’s response was brief.
She knows nothing.
The final reply had been sent that afternoon.
She knows more than you think.
Sophie felt the blood drain from her face.
Marcus had known she was watching before she ever took the photograph.
“How?” she whispered.
Ruiz scrolled further.
Then she found an image sent to Daniel one week earlier.
It showed Sophie leaving Brightwell Biotech headquarters.
Sophie looked at Olivia.
“I’ve never been to your company.”
“Yes, you have,” Olivia said slowly. “Last month. You met me for lunch.”
The photograph had been taken before Sophie entered the building.
Someone had been following her for weeks.
A loud knock sounded at the bridal-suite door.
“Police,” a man called. “Detective Ruiz asked us to move you.”
Ruiz raised a finger to her lips.
May you like
She had asked for no one.
The door handle slowly began to turn.
