Chapter 2 - The Name on the Bracelet
Naomi stared at Alexander’s phone. She had never sent him anything. She had never even known his number.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Vanessa stepped between them. “This is ridiculous. Have security throw her out.”
Alexander did not move. “The bracelet belongs to my sister.”
A waiter named Daniel approached with a tray in shaking hands. “Sir, the kitchen manager needs Naomi downstairs.”
“No,” Alexander said. “Nobody leaves until I understand what happened.”
Naomi knew better than to argue with rich people in public. They could change the story faster than anybody could correct it. But her mother had taught her another rule: never confess to something you didn’t do.
“Ask the guests,” Naomi said. “Check the cameras. I came to serve drinks.”
Vanessa folded her arms. “And steal.”
“Steal what?”
“My emerald pin. It disappeared from the bridal suite.”
Alexander’s jaw tightened. “You didn’t tell me anything was missing.”
“I was protecting your precious evening.”
On the far side of the ballroom, an elderly woman in a silver shawl slipped toward the service corridor. Naomi recognized her. The woman had come through the employee entrance an hour earlier and asked whether Naomi remembered a place called St. Agnes. Naomi had said no. The woman had looked disappointed, then pressed an envelope into her hand.
Naomi reached into her apron now. The envelope was gone.
Daniel caught her worried glance. His face changed. “Naomi,” he whispered, “don’t go downstairs alone.”
“Why?”
Before he could answer, the lights dimmed for a planned toast. Somebody screamed near the service doors. The elderly woman collapsed, her silver shawl spreading across the marble like water.
May you like
The staff had already begun taking down the decorations. A champagne fountain still flowed in the corner, cheerful and absurd. Naomi remembered the way Vanessa looked straight at her before lifting her foot. It had not been an accident, or a moment of lost balance. It had been a decision.
And beneath her hand lay Naomi’s missing envelope.
