Chapter 10 - The Invitation Was a Trap
Diane had assumed Megan would bring the evidence.
For years, federal investigators believed the serial plate was lost.
Megan never told them she still possessed it.
She kept it because the original investigation had been compromised.
Every time she tried to submit evidence, files disappeared.
Witnesses changed their statements.
Military contractors were protected.
Then the case was sealed.
Diane believed Lauren’s wedding offered the perfect opportunity.
Invite Megan.
Keep her isolated.
Search her belongings while she was distracted.
The black clutch suddenly mattered more than the wedding itself.
Megan looked toward the isolated table beside the service door.
Her chair had been positioned near an unlocked staff corridor.
Someone could have taken the clutch while she stood for photographs.
Robert understood.
“You moved her seat to access her belongings.”
Diane said, “That is ridiculous.”
Daniel walked to Megan’s abandoned chair.
Beneath the table, he found a small wireless scanner.
It could detect metal objects and encrypted devices inside a bag.
The wedding planner insisted it did not belong to the venue.
Evan turned toward his mother.
“You put surveillance equipment under a guest’s chair?”
Diane answered, “I was protecting this family.”
Megan looked at Lauren.
“Did you know?”
Lauren’s face crumpled.
“No.”
Megan believed her.
But Lauren had still allowed cruelty because acceptance by the Parker family mattered more than defending her sister.
Robert ordered security to close the reception doors.
Diane laughed nervously.
“You cannot detain people at a wedding.”
Robert said, “No one is being detained. But no Parker leaves until federal investigators arrive.”
May you like
Diane’s confidence broke.
Because Robert had already made the call.
