Chapter 1 - The Man With the Warrant
I did not leave the Grand Meridian Hotel.
I walked across the marble lobby, sat in a velvet chair near the elevators, and pressed an ice-filled napkin against my cheek.
Through the ballroom doors, I could still hear the orchestra playing.
My sister’s wedding had resumed less than five minutes after my mother slapped me in front of two hundred people.
That told me everything I needed to know.
No one in my family believed there would be consequences.
My phone vibrated.
It was a text from Lily.
Stop being dramatic and come back inside.
A second message arrived.
Mom is upset because you ruined my reception.
Then Andrew sent one.
Just hand over the keys tonight and we can sort out the paperwork later.
I stared at those words.
Paperwork.
So Andrew knew there was paperwork.
I took screenshots and forwarded them to Mr. Mercer.
His reply came immediately.
Do not answer them.
Forty-three minutes later, three black SUVs pulled beneath the hotel awning.
The first man through the revolving doors was Daniel Mercer.
He was not wearing the dark suit I had seen him in during our previous meetings.
Tonight he wore a navy field jacket over a white shirt, and clipped to his belt was the badge that my parents had apparently never imagined would enter their daughter’s life.
Two investigators followed him.
Then came four uniformed officers.
Guests in the lobby began turning their heads.
Mercer approached me.
His expression changed when he saw my cheek.
“Who did that?”
“My mother.”
“In front of witnesses?”
“About two hundred.”
Something cold entered his eyes.
“That may have just made this easier.”
He handed me a folded document.
I looked down.
The heading read SEARCH AND SEIZURE WARRANT.
My pulse quickened.
“What exactly are you searching?”
“Your parents’ residence, your father’s office, and any electronic devices presently in their possession that may contain evidence relating to the fraudulent mortgage application.”
I swallowed.
“Tonight?”
Mercer looked toward the ballroom.
“We believe documents are being destroyed.”
Before I could ask how he knew, the ballroom doors opened.
Dad came storming through.
Mom followed behind him.
Lily and Andrew were only a few steps back.
Dad stopped when he saw Mercer.
For the first time that night, his confidence vanished.
Mom went even paler.
Then Mercer turned toward her.
“Mrs. Holloway?”
Mom stared at him.
“No.”
She actually backed away.
“No, you are not supposed to be here.”
The entire lobby seemed to freeze.
Mercer narrowed his eyes.
“Supposed to be where, Mrs. Holloway?”
Mom suddenly screamed.
“Robert, do something!”
Dad grabbed her arm.
“Margaret, be quiet.”
But it was too late.
Mercer had heard it.
So had I.
And when he looked at me again, I knew exactly what he was thinking.
My mother had recognized him.
May you like
Which meant this was much bigger than forged penthouse keys.
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