Chapter 3 - the photograph no one wanted taken)
Mara called the number immediately.
No answer.
She tried again.
Nothing.
Then the phone switched off.
She stood in the hallway staring at the message.
Do not let Lily go near the west staircase alone.
The main wedding staircase was on the west side of the mansion.
The one decorated with balloons and ribbons.
The one Lily would descend before the bride.
Mara ran.
Her prosthetic foot struck the hardwood faster than she liked.
She passed two servers and nearly collided with a photographer.
Outside, the wedding party had gathered on the terrace.
Lily stood between Grant and Arthur for a family photograph.
Vanessa was adjusting the child's ribbon basket.
Mara immediately crossed the lawn.
"Lily."
Grant's smile disappeared.
"We're taking a picture."
"I need her for a minute."
"Why?"
Mara ignored him.
"Lily, come here."
Lily started toward her.
Vanessa caught her gently by the shoulder.
"She'll be done in thirty seconds."
Mara looked at Vanessa's hand.
"Move your hand."
The photographer lowered his camera.
Several guests turned.
Vanessa released Lily.
"You're being dramatic."
Lily ran to Mara.
Mara crouched.
"Did Vanessa put anything in your basket?"
"The ribbon."
"Anything else?"
"No."
"Did she tell you to do something with it?"
Lily nodded.
"She said when the music starts I have to stand by the white flowers."
"Which white flowers?"
Lily pointed.
The foot of the west staircase.
Mara felt sick.
Arthur approached.
"What's wrong?"
Mara stood.
"Did you send me a message?"
"No."
"Did you tell someone to warn me about the staircase?"
Arthur's face changed.
Before he could answer, Grant stepped between them.
"What message?"
"Nothing."
"You just asked Dad if he warned you."
Mara took Lily's hand.
"We're leaving."
Grant's expression hardened.
"The ceremony starts in forty minutes."
"I don't care."
"Lily is my daughter."
"And I am not keeping her somewhere after receiving an anonymous warning."
Vanessa laughed.
"An anonymous warning?"
Grant's eyes moved toward his sister.
Too quickly.
Mara saw it.
So did Arthur.
"What warning?" Arthur asked.
Mara showed him the screen.
Arthur read the message.
His face went pale.
Grant reached for the phone.
Mara pulled it back.
Arthur looked at Grant.
"Do you know anything about this?"
"Obviously not."
"Vanessa?"
"This is ridiculous."
Arthur's voice hardened.
"Answer me."
"No."
A photographer awkwardly cleared his throat.
"Mr. Mercer, should we continue?"
Arthur ignored him.
Then another voice joined them.
"Maybe we should."
Claire.
She stood several yards away with the maid of honor holding her veil.
Grant turned.
"What?"
Claire looked at the photographer.
"Take the family picture."
Grant stared at her.
"Now?"
"Yes."
Mara did not understand.
Claire's eyes found hers.
A silent message passed between them.
Stay.
Mara almost refused.
Then Claire said, "Everyone. One photograph. Right here."
The photographer repositioned the group.
Arthur stood center.
Grant beside him.
Vanessa on the other side.
Claire stepped beside Grant.
Lily was placed in front.
Mara tried to move away.
Claire caught her wrist.
"You too."
Grant's jaw tightened.
"Claire."
"She's Lily's mother."
"She's my ex-wife."
"And your daughter is standing between both of you."
Guests were beginning to notice.
Grant had no choice without causing a scene.
Mara stood behind Lily.
The camera began clicking.
One photograph.
Two.
Three.
On the fourth, Lily reached into her basket.
The folded ribbon slipped out.
A metallic object fell onto the marble terrace.
Clink.
Every member of the Mercer family looked down.
A small silver key lay between Grant's shoes.
Vanessa stopped breathing.
Grant's face emptied.
Arthur whispered, "No."
The photographer kept taking pictures.
Click.
Click.
Click.
Capturing every reaction.
Vanessa moved first.
She bent down.
Mara reached the key before she did.
Their hands collided.
Vanessa hissed, "Give me that."
Mara closed her fingers around it.
"What is it?"
"Nothing."
Arthur stepped forward.
"Give it to me."
Vanessa stood.
"Dad, it's mine."
Arthur looked at her.
"No. It isn't."
Grant moved beside Vanessa.
"We're doing this now?"
Arthur ignored him.
He held out his hand to Mara.
"Please."
Mara studied the old man's face.
For years she had believed Arthur Mercer was cold but honorable.
Then after the crash he had disappeared from her life.
He had allowed Grant's lawyers to crush her.
He had never asked why.
Never visited.
Never called.
"Tell me what it opens."
Arthur lowered his hand.
"A box."
"What box?"
"A box that disappeared three years ago."
Vanessa interrupted.
"This is insane."
Arthur kept looking at Mara.
"The last time I saw that key was the morning before your accident."
Mara's fingers tightened around the metal.
Her hearing seemed to narrow.
"What did the box contain?"
Grant stepped forward.
"Dad."
Arthur's answer was quiet.
"Financial records."
Claire's face changed.
Mara looked at Grant.
He suddenly seemed less like a groom and more like the man standing beside her hospital bed.
"What kind of financial records?"
Arthur hesitated.
Vanessa answered for him.
"Old foundation paperwork. Nothing that concerns you."
Arthur turned on her.
"It concerned Mara enough that someone used her signature."
Silence.
Grant's voice dropped.
"Dad."
Arthur looked at him.
"What?"
Grant's jaw tightened.
"Not today."
Arthur stared at his son for a long moment.
Then he said something that made Claire remove Grant's hand from her waist.
"Three years ago, I believed Mara stole from this family."
Mara felt as if the ground shifted.
May you like
Arthur continued.
"Last week, I learned I may have accused the wrong person."
