Chapter 3 - THE WOMAN IN THE RED DRESS
Catherine Voss had expected Ravi Greedy to humiliate the waitress.
She had expected screaming.
Threats.
Perhaps a public apology.
What she had not expected was Ravi's silence after the security guards escorted them out.
At the hotel entrance, Catherine tried to laugh.
"This is ridiculous. It was a harmless joke."
Marcus Hale looked at her.
"Mr. Greedy doesn't find it funny."
Catherine rolled her eyes.
"He'll get over it."
Marcus said nothing.
By morning, Catherine's father had called her six times.
Richard Voss owned a chain of luxury real-estate developments across the city.
He also owed Ravi Greedy a considerable amount of money.
"Catherine," Richard said when she finally answered, "what did you do?"
She sighed.
"Dad, relax."
"Do you understand who you embarrassed?"
"Ravi Greedy."
Richard's voice rose.
"Do you understand what that means?"
Catherine rolled her eyes.
"He's not a king."
"No," Richard said quietly.
"He's something worse."
Richard explained that several contracts were now under review.
Meetings had been canceled.
And Ravi had refused his calls.
Catherine felt a flicker of fear.
But pride quickly replaced it.
Meanwhile, Diane sat across from Marcus in a small diner.
She had agreed to meet only after leaving Sadi safely at school.
Marcus placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Diane entering the hotel the previous evening.
She frowned.
"Why do you have that?"
"Because someone was watching you before the party."
Diane stared.
"Who?"
Marcus slid another photograph forward.
Catherine Voss stood beside a man Diane recognized.
Her former employer.
Leonard Pike, the manager of the catering agency that had hired her.
Diane's heart accelerated.
"What does he have to do with this?"
Marcus leaned back.
"That's what we're trying to find out."
Diane looked at the photographs.
She had believed she was simply a desperate waitress offered a ridiculous amount of money.
Now she wondered whether the entire evening had been arranged.
Marcus spoke carefully.
"Mr. Greedy wants to know why Catherine selected you."
May you like
Diane looked up.
"Tell him I want to know too."
