Chapter 2 - The Missing Guest
Claire forgot the gravy, the staring guests, even the ache in her knees.
Across the room, Adrian shoved his phone into his pocket.
"Who sent you something?" he demanded.
"A friend."
"Which friend?"
"The kind who doesn't throw dinner at me."
A few guests lowered their eyes. Someone coughed to hide a laugh. Adrian grabbed Claire's elbow, but she pulled free.
"Don't touch me."
Eleanor moved between them with a smile as polished as her pearls. "Our guests deserve a pleasant evening. Claire, you should change. Adrian, walk your wife upstairs."
"I can walk alone."
"I insist," Eleanor said.
Claire's phone buzzed again. The sender called herself Mara Finch and instructed her to check seat 18. Claire looked at the place cards. Seat 18 sat empty, although a glass of untouched champagne stood beside it. The card read LUCY MERCER.
Lucy was supposed to be the event coordinator. Claire remembered meeting her in the bridal suite at noon. Lucy had seemed terrified when Eleanor entered the room, abruptly hidden a folder, and said she needed to check the kitchen.
"Where is Lucy?" Claire asked.
Eleanor's smile froze. "Who?"
"The woman assigned to this table."
"She left. There was a family emergency."
"Then why is her purse still under the chair?"
Claire bent and picked up a tan leather bag. A small silver key was tucked beneath its strap. The key had a blue plastic tag marked 414.
Adrian stepped forward. "Give me that."
Claire backed away.
May you like
From the kitchen corridor came a sharp metallic bang. A server appeared, pale and trembling. She stared at Lucy's bag, then at Eleanor.
"Mrs. Vale," the server whispered, "the freight elevator is stuck between floors. And someone is inside it."
