Chapter 9 - The Guest Who Was Not Invited
The morning of the shower, Claire woke before sunrise.
Ethan was already standing by the bedroom window.
A black sedan was parked across the street.
It looked like the same vehicle Marlene had noticed two days earlier.
“Call Norman,” Claire said.
“I already did.”
The sedan drove away before patrol officers arrived.
At ten, Noah Price and his catering team reached Richard and Marlene’s home to prepare the event.
Noah had worked with Claire’s company on several charity events. He was careful, observant, and disliked Richard enough to cooperate without needing the full story.
Ethan met him near the service entrance.
“The house has exterior cameras,” Noah said. “But Richard ordered them disabled during the party.”
“Can you keep your company cameras running?”
Noah’s catering service used portable cameras near food stations for insurance and safety documentation.
“I can position one near the pool and one by the patio,” Noah said. “They record to a secure server.”
“Do it.”
Claire and Ethan arrived thirty minutes early.
Pastel balloons lined the driveway. Two matching chairs decorated with pink and blue ribbons stood beneath an archway.
Beth was already there.
She stood beside Marlene, smiling at arriving guests as if nothing had happened.
Claire searched her sister’s face for a warning.
Beth gave nothing.
Richard greeted Claire with a kiss near her cheek.
“You look tired.”
“I slept well.”
“Pregnancy can cause confusion even when you think you are rested.”
Ethan moved closer to her.
Richard smiled.
“Always watching.”
“Always,” Ethan said.
Inside the house, the guest list was more revealing than the decorations.
Three members of the Ward Foundation board had attended. So had Leonard Shaw, the accountant from the old photograph. Grant stood beside him, speaking quietly.
Detective Norman had not been invited.
He was waiting nearby with officers, but he could not enter without consent, an emergency, or stronger legal authority.
Claire carried a small microphone inside her purse. State law allowed her to record conversations she participated in.
Marlene led her into Richard’s study.
Beth followed.
Richard closed the door.
On the desk was the Family Resolution agreement.
“Sign it,” Marlene said.
Claire looked at Beth.
Her sister’s expression remained unreadable.
“I want the statements first,” Claire said.
Richard opened a folder.
Inside were records showing a legacy account worth $480,000.
Claire’s name appeared as beneficiary.
“Why did no one tell me about this?”
“Because Eleanor placed restrictions on the account,” Richard said. “Your irresponsible business decisions could have destroyed it.”
“My company is profitable.”
“Your company is insignificant.”
Claire turned another page.
The account had earned interest for more than a decade.
Several transactions had been made against it, but the descriptions were hidden.
“I want complete records.”
“You will receive them after signing.”
“No.”
Marlene’s voice sharpened.
“You are making a mistake.”
“So are you.”
Claire stood.
Beth finally spoke.
“Maybe Claire should see everything.”
Richard stared at her.
Beth stepped toward the desk.
“She is the beneficiary. Show her the transfer history.”
“You do not understand what is happening,” Grant said from the doorway.
No one had heard him enter.
Beth turned.
Grant closed the door behind him.
He was holding her phone.
“You left this in the car.”
Beth’s face changed.
Claire knew immediately.
The phone Grant had wiped was not the only device Beth had used.
Grant placed it on the desk.
The screen showed an unsent email addressed to Detective Norman.
Attached were the photographs from Grant’s office.
Richard looked at his daughter.
“You were going to betray us.”
Beth’s voice shook.
“You planned to leave me.”
Grant’s expression remained calm.
“It was a business trip.”
“One-way?”
Marlene picked up the phone.
“How much did you send?”
“Enough.”
Richard grabbed Beth’s arm.
Claire stepped forward.
“Let her go.”
The study door opened again.
An elderly man stood in the hallway wearing a dark overcoat despite the summer heat.
Ethan, who had been waiting outside the room, stared at him.
The man had Ethan’s eyes.
“Samuel,” Richard whispered.
May you like
The missing man smiled.
“I was not invited,” he said. “But I believe some of the money belongs to me.”
