Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN BEHIND THE SMILE
Vanessa returned to the ballroom stage like nothing had happened.
That was one of her greatest talents.
She could humiliate a waitress, destroy a friendship, threaten an employee, then turn toward a camera and look warm enough to sell perfume.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” she said into the microphone, laughing softly, “apparently even charity events have a little drama.”
Several guests chuckled nervously.
Julian stood beside her.
Naomi watched through a narrow opening near the service entrance.
His performance was impressive.
His face looked calm.
Only his right hand gave him away.
The fingers kept tightening.
Vanessa slipped her arm through his.
“Now,” she said brightly, “before we were interrupted…”
Interrupted.
As though kicking an employee had been a scheduling inconvenience.
“…we wanted to make a special announcement.”
The giant screen behind them lit up with a photograph of Vanessa and Julian standing on a beach in Italy.
The room applauded.
Vanessa looked at him.
“Julian?”
He took the microphone.
Naomi held her breath.
If he confronted her now, everything might collapse.
Julian smiled.
“To everyone who came tonight, thank you.”
Vanessa relaxed.
“To everyone who supports the foundation, thank you.”
More applause.
“And to Vanessa…”
Her smile widened.
Julian paused.
“…thank you for reminding me how important it is to know the people closest to us.”
Vanessa’s smile twitched.
Barely.
But Naomi saw it.
Vanessa did too.
She turned toward him.
“What does that mean?”
Julian kissed her cheek.
“For keeping me on my toes.”
The audience laughed.
Vanessa laughed with them.
But her eyes did not.
Five minutes later, she left the stage.
She walked quickly toward the restrooms.
Naomi followed through the service corridor.
Vanessa didn’t go to the restroom.
She went directly to the bridal suite.
Naomi stopped outside.
Voices.
Vanessa.
And a man.
Trevor.
“You told me this was handled,” Vanessa snapped.
“It was.”
“She has recordings.”
“That maid?”
“She’s not a maid.”
Naomi leaned closer.
Trevor lowered his voice.
“Then who is she?”
“I don’t know.”
“You’re panicking.”
“Of course I’m panicking!”
“Keep your voice down.”
“She caught my leg like I weighed nothing.”
Naomi resisted the urge to sigh.
People remembered the wrong details when frightened.
Vanessa continued.
“And Julian is acting strange.”
“How strange?”
“He said something onstage.”
“About what?”
“Knowing the people closest to him.”
Trevor cursed.
Vanessa said, “We need to move everything tonight.”
“What about Rosewood?”
“Burn it.”
Naomi’s pulse jumped.
Trevor replied, “You said you wanted leverage.”
“I wanted leverage when Rachel was unconscious.”
Silence.
Naomi froze.
Trevor spoke more quietly.
“She remembers more than you think.”
“She remembers nothing.”
“You sure?”
“The doctors said—”
“The doctors said trauma affects memory. They didn’t say she forgot everything.”
Vanessa sounded irritated now.
“If Rachel remembered, she would have said something.”
“Maybe she’s scared.”
“Of me?”
Trevor laughed softly.
“That’s usually the point, Vanessa.”
Then came the sound of a zipper opening.
Paper rustling.
Naomi glanced toward the hallway behind her.
She needed Marcus.
But moving risked exposing herself.
Inside, Trevor said, “There’s one more problem.”
“What?”
“The driver.”
Vanessa stopped talking.
Naomi’s skin prickled.
“What about him?” Vanessa finally asked.
“He called.”
“You told me he was gone.”
“He was.”
“Was?”
“He wants more money.”
Vanessa’s voice dropped.
“How much?”
“Two hundred thousand.”
“No.”
“He says he kept a copy.”
“A copy of what?”
Trevor answered.
“The dashcam footage.”
Naomi went completely still.
Inside the room, Vanessa whispered one word.
“Where?”
Trevor replied, “He says he’ll give it to Julian if you don’t pay him by midnight.”
Naomi checked the time.
10:17 p.m.
Less than two hours.
Then Vanessa said something that changed everything.
“Call him.”
Trevor hesitated.
“And tell him what?”
Vanessa’s voice was ice-cold.
“Tell him to meet me at the old Sterling warehouse.”
A beat.
Then:
May you like
“And bring the gun.”
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