Chapter 7 - The Wrong Glass
Vanessa had not been invited by Claire.
That mattered.
For the first few seconds Claire assumed Daniel had arranged her arrival.
Then she saw his face.
Shock.
Real shock.
Vanessa approached.
“Hope I’m not interrupting.”
Daniel stood quickly.
“What are you doing here?”
Vanessa’s smile disappeared.
“You told me one.”
Daniel glanced at Claire.
“I said twelve-thirty.”
“No, you said—”
He grabbed Vanessa’s elbow.
“Can we talk privately?”
That was Claire’s opportunity.
She switched the glasses.
One movement.
No hesitation.
Daniel’s bourbon moved to her side.
Her contaminated water moved to his.
Nobody noticed.
Except the camera.
Daniel returned.
Vanessa refused to leave.
“I’m joining you.”
Claire gestured toward the empty chair.
“Please.”
Daniel stared at his wife.
Claire smiled.
The waiter brought another place setting.
Vanessa removed her cream coat.
Claire noticed something strange.
Vanessa was nervous.
Not guilty.
Nervous.
Daniel tried to regain control.
He raised the contaminated glass.
“To new beginnings.”
Claire watched his hand.
If Daniel drank it, she would stop him.
She wanted evidence.
Not a corpse.
But Vanessa reached first.
“Let me taste yours.”
Daniel’s reaction was immediate.
“Vanessa—DON’T!”
She drank.
Everything changed.
Seven minutes later paramedics were working on Vanessa.
Security had separated Daniel from Claire.
Police were on their way.
And Daniel was staring at the security officer’s phone.
“You recorded us?”
“Restaurant security records every dining area.”
“I want your manager.”
“He’s coming.”
“You have no right to show that footage to anyone.”
The security officer looked at Vanessa.
“I think the police will decide that.”
Daniel turned toward Claire.
“You planned this.”
Claire stood.
“I planned to have lunch with my husband.”
“You switched them.”
“Yes.”
“You knew.”
“Yes.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“You could’ve killed her.”
Claire’s expression hardened.
“You put it in my glass.”
Daniel opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Then Vanessa screamed.
Everyone turned.
One paramedic was holding something.
A small plastic packet recovered from beneath the table.
Daniel’s packet.
The paramedic handed it to a police officer entering the restaurant.
Daniel moved backward.
The officer looked at him.
“Mr. Mercer?”
Daniel said nothing.
“We need you to come with us.”
Claire expected panic.
Instead, Daniel smiled.
That frightened her more.
“You think you won,” he said quietly.
Claire stared at him.
Daniel leaned close enough that only she could hear.
“Ask Rebecca who sent the first message.”
Claire’s heart stopped.
Police grabbed Daniel’s arms.
He allowed them to lead him away.
Claire immediately called Rebecca.
No answer.
Again.
No answer.
A third time.
Voicemail.
Claire rushed toward the elevator.
Her phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
A photograph appeared.
Rebecca’s car.
Driver’s door open.
Nobody inside.
May you like
Below it were five words.
YOU SHOULD HAVE SIGNED, CLAIRE.
