Chapter 3 - THE ENVELOPE BENEATH TABLE TWELVE
At 9:06 p.m., Claire discovered an envelope beneath table twelve.
She found it while correcting a seating problem involving two donors who refused to sit beside each other.
The envelope was cream-colored.
Unsealed.
And addressed to someone named Marcus Bell.
Claire recognized the name.
Marcus Bell was the hotel executive who had approached Vincent near the private elevators.
She picked up the envelope.
A photograph slipped out.
Claire froze.
It showed Ethan Parker standing beside a loading dock.
He was speaking with a man she didn't recognize.
Behind them stood several wooden shipping crates.
Each carried the logo of the charity hosting the gala.
THE HARBORLIGHT CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION.
Claire frowned.
The foundation supported medical care and education programs for disadvantaged children.
It didn't operate shipping warehouses.
She turned the photograph over.
A date was written on the back.
Three weeks earlier.
Below it were four words.
THE DONATIONS NEVER ARRIVED.
Claire felt a chill.
She looked toward the ballroom.
Ethan was laughing with Madison beside the champagne tower.
Claire stared at the photograph again.
Then slipped it back into the envelope.
May you like
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
