Chapter 3 - THE CONVOY
The dress was dark green, elegant without being extravagant.
It fit Claire perfectly.
She wondered how Alexander’s staff had known her measurements, then decided some questions were better left unanswered.
When she returned to the entrance hall, Alexander was fastening his cuff links. His navy suit had been pressed again, and a matching tie replaced the one he had worn earlier.
Six security officers waited near the door.
Adrian Cross stood at the center of them.
Claire recognized him as Vale Global’s director of executive protection. He was in his early forties, broad-shouldered, and almost as quiet as Alexander. A small scar crossed his left eyebrow.
“Ms. Bennett,” Adrian said. “You’ll remain in the principal vehicle.”
“Is that necessary?”
“Yes.”
Alexander descended the staircase.
“Adrian does not answer that question differently.”
Claire looked outside.
A line of black SUVs waited in the circular drive.
The sight was excessive, intimidating, and strangely reassuring.
Alexander stopped beside her.
“Once we arrive, do not separate from me.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“I know.”
His answer came without hesitation.
“That is not the issue.”
“What is?”
“Someone has stolen your credentials, attempted to steal mine, and arranged for you to be present at a public event. Until we know why, you are a target.”
Claire glanced toward the windows.
“This feels unreal.”
“It will feel more real when someone makes a mistake.”
They entered the first SUV.
Adrian took the front passenger seat while a driver pulled away from the mansion. The other vehicles followed in a perfect line.
Claire watched the gates close behind them.
Her phone displayed nineteen unread messages.
Most were from her mother.
The first asked whether she planned to attend.
The next accused her of trying to ruin Vanessa’s day by refusing.
The final message had arrived six minutes earlier.
Do not come. Vanessa is upset. For once, think about someone besides yourself.
Claire showed the screen to Alexander.
He read the messages.
“They wanted you there. Now they don’t.”
“Maybe Vanessa changed her mind.”
“Or someone discovered you reported the transfer.”
Claire’s phone rang.
Daniel’s name appeared.
Her entire body tensed.
Alexander noticed.
“You do not have to answer.”
Claire pressed the button.
“Hello?”
Daniel’s voice was low.
“Where are you?”
“On my way to the wedding.”
Silence.
Then, “You shouldn’t come.”
“My invitation says otherwise.”
“Claire, listen to me. Vanessa is emotional. Your mother is stressed. It would be better if you stayed away.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s our day.”
The words were almost laughable.
Claire looked through the window at the passing trees.
“Then why did you send me an invitation?”
“That was your mother’s decision.”
“No. Vanessa signed the note.”
Daniel exhaled sharply.
“I’m trying to prevent a scene.”
“Are you?”
“What does that mean?”
Claire looked at Alexander.
He gave no visible signal, but she knew he was listening carefully.
“Do you know a company called Blackthorn Consulting?” she asked.
The silence on the line changed.
Daniel answered too quickly.
“No.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m getting married in an hour. I don’t have time for this.”
“Daniel.”
“What?”
“Did you ever access my work computer when we lived together?”
His voice hardened.
“Are you accusing me of something?”
“I asked a question.”
“I never cared about your spreadsheets, Claire.”
Alexander’s eyes narrowed.
Daniel continued.
“This is exactly why we didn’t work. Everything with you becomes an interrogation.”
“You left because you were sleeping with my sister.”
“I left because you made every room feel like an office.”
Claire’s pain rose, but it no longer overwhelmed her.
Perhaps because Alexander sat beside her.
Perhaps because, for the first time, she understood Daniel’s cruelty was often a strategy. He attacked whenever he feared being exposed.
“Then you have nothing to worry about,” she said.
She ended the call.
Her hands shook.
Alexander waited.
Finally he said, “He knows Blackthorn.”
“How can you tell?”
“He denied recognition before you finished the name.”
Claire replayed the conversation.
He was right.
Adrian looked back from the front seat.
“We received the guest list.”
Alexander held out his hand.
Adrian passed him a tablet.
Claire watched as Alexander scanned the names.
His finger stopped.
“Why is Marcus Reed listed?”
Claire leaned closer.
The chief financial officer’s name appeared among the invited guests.
“He told his assistant he went to Zurich.”
Adrian nodded.
“His passport was used at the airport, but facial recognition never recorded him passing security.”
“Someone used his passport,” Claire said.
“Or he wanted us to believe he left,” Alexander replied.
The tablet chimed.
A photograph appeared.
It showed Marcus entering the Ashford Estate through a service gate twenty minutes earlier.
He wore a dark coat and sunglasses.
Claire felt her pulse quicken.
“He’s there.”
“Yes.”
“Why would your chief financial officer attend my sister’s wedding?”
Alexander enlarged the photograph.
Marcus carried a silver briefcase.
“I intend to ask him.”
The convoy turned onto a private road.
Ahead, the Ashford Estate came into view.
The wedding venue was a sprawling country property surrounded by landscaped gardens, stone terraces, and acres of vineyards. White flowers lined the entrance. Valets hurried between luxury cars.
As the first SUV approached, guests turned.
Then the second vehicle appeared.
Then the third.
By the time all six entered the drive, conversations had stopped.
Claire saw faces she recognized from business magazines, society columns, and political events.
The convoy halted in front of the stone entrance.
Security officers stepped out first.
Adrian opened Alexander’s door.
A nearby guest whispered loudly, “Who invited him?”
Alexander emerged into the daylight.
Cameras lifted immediately.
Claire remained inside for one more second.
Her courage disappeared.
The ballroom waited beyond those doors.
Her mother would look at her with disappointment.
Vanessa would smile.
Daniel would pretend Claire had never mattered.
Alexander leaned toward the open door and extended his hand.
He did not command her.
He simply waited.
Claire placed her hand in his.
The crowd reacted as she stepped out beside him.
Whispers spread.
Alexander lowered his voice.
“Do not look at them.”
“Where should I look?”
“At the entrance.”
Claire raised her chin.
Together, they walked up the stone steps.
Just before they reached the doors, Adrian spoke through the communication device.
“Marcus Reed has disappeared from the service corridor.”
Alexander did not slow.
“Find him.”
“We also identified an unauthorized device connected to the ballroom security system.”
“What kind of device?” Claire asked.
Adrian’s answer came through her earpiece.
“A remote trigger.”
“For what?”
May you like
A wedding bell rang inside the estate.
Adrian replied, “We don’t know.”
