Chapter 5 - The Brother Who Never Showed Up

Camila called back.

No answer.

Again.

Voicemail.

She was already moving toward the service exit when Nolan blocked her path.

"Where are you going?"

"My brother is in trouble."

"Do you know where he is?"

"No."

Rafael stepped closer. "Call the police."

Camila shook her head. "Mateo hates drama. If he tells me to get out, something scared him."

Bianca spoke from behind them. "This is becoming ridiculous."

Camila turned so fast Bianca took a step back.

"Why did my brother tell me not to trust you?"

Everyone froze.

Bianca's face went blank. "I have no idea."

"You know Mateo?"

"I've met dozens of vendors."

"You didn't answer me."

Bianca lifted her chin. "Yes. I've met him."

"How?"

"He delivered samples."

"That's a lie."

Camila's voice was quiet now.

Mateo had never delivered samples for Luna & Sugar. He had a business degree and worked evenings helping with payroll, invoices, and vendor contracts. He hated frosting. He said piping bags felt like strangling toothpaste.

Victoria looked at Bianca. "Why would you lie about that?"

"I misspoke."

Rafael's expression hardened. "People misspeak about dates. Not about how they know someone."

Bianca removed her headset. "Fine. Mateo contacted me three weeks ago about a billing question. It was minor."

"What billing question?" Camila asked.

"I don't remember."

"Try."

Bianca's eyes flashed. "You work for this event. You do not interrogate me."

Camila took one step closer. "You've spent the last hour trying to remind me where I supposedly belong. Here's where I belong: anywhere my name is being forged."

Elena quietly said, "Answer her, Bianca."

For the first time, Bianca looked trapped.

Then a security guard approached Nolan.

"Sir, we found something on the loading dock."

He held out a steel locking pin.

Camila recognized it immediately.

The missing pin from the cake stand.

It was wrapped in a black cocktail napkin.

"Any prints?" Nolan asked.

"We're not touching it further."

The guard pointed down the hall. "But the loading dock camera caught someone dropping it behind a trash cart."

"Who?" Victoria asked.

The guard looked uncomfortable.

"Mr. Mateo Reyes."

Camila felt the floor tilt.

"No."

"We have video."

Bianca exhaled slowly, almost with relief.

Rafael noticed.

So did Camila.

Nolan pulled up the security clip on his tablet.

There was Mateo in a gray hoodie, entering the loading dock at 6:42 p.m.

He looked over his shoulder.

Then he bent near the trash cart.

The camera glitched.

For six seconds, the screen pixelated.

When the image returned, Mateo was gone.

And the locking pin was visible on the floor.

Victoria whispered, "Oh my God."

Camila stared at the screen.

Something was wrong.

Not with Mateo.

With the video.

"Play it again."

Nolan did.

Camila watched Mateo enter.

Look over his shoulder.

Bend.

Glitch.

Disappear.

Then she saw it.

A reflection in the polished metal door.

Someone else had been standing just outside the camera frame.

A woman in a cream pantsuit.

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