Chapter 5 - THE WOMAN IN THE GREEN DRESS
The woman was named Celeste Ward.
Nora learned that two days later.
Celeste was thirty-six, elegant, and known in Chicago society as a fundraising consultant.
She organized charity galas.
Attended private auctions.
Appeared in photographs beside politicians and wealthy donors.
But the police discovered something else.
Celeste had been communicating with Marcus Bell for months.
And on the night Lily collapsed, her phone had been near the Aurelian.
Enzo received the information from Detective Sloan.
He stood in his office overlooking Lake Michigan.
"Celeste Ward?"
Sloan nodded.
"Do you know her?"
"She's worked on several charity events."
"With your family?"
"Yes."
"With your daughter?"
Enzo's jaw tightened.
"She helped organize Lily's birthday."
Sloan watched him.
"Did she have access to the guest list?"
"Yes."
"The seating plan?"
"Yes."
"The service schedule?"
Enzo closed his eyes.
"Yes."
That evening, Enzo called Marcus.
"Come to my office."
Marcus arrived twenty minutes later.
He looked perfectly calm.
"Enzo."
"Sit."
Marcus sat.
Enzo placed a photograph on the desk.
Celeste Ward entering the Aurelian's service corridor.
Marcus glanced at it.
"What am I looking at?"
"You tell me."
Marcus adjusted his glasses.
"Celeste. She helped with the event."
"Why was she near the private room after the guests left?"
"I don't know."
"Why were you carrying a black case?"
Marcus paused.
"Documents."
"What documents?"
"Legal papers."
Enzo leaned forward.
"Show me."
Marcus's expression hardened.
"Enzo, this is becoming insulting."
Enzo stared at him.
"My daughter nearly died."
Marcus said nothing.
Enzo continued.
"If you have nothing to hide, cooperate with the police."
Marcus stood.
"I've spent eighteen years protecting your family."
Enzo's voice dropped.
"Then start by protecting my daughter."
Marcus left without another word.
An hour later, Enzo received a message from an unknown number.
You trusted the wrong woman.
Attached was a photograph.
Nora leaving the Aurelian.
May you like
And beneath it, a sentence that made Enzo's blood run cold.
Ask your waitress what happened to her brother.
