Chapter 12 - The Man Near the Kitchen
The stranger smiled politely.
“Mrs. Parker asked me to collect personal items from this area.”
Lauren said, “No.”
His smile disappeared.
“That bag belongs to the guest.”
“I know. She is my sister.”
He reached for it.
Lauren stepped back.
Evan crossed the floor.
“What is happening?”
The man turned.
Megan noticed a security badge clipped inside his jacket.
It was fake.
Before he could leave, Daniel blocked the kitchen corridor.
Robert’s private security team approached from the other side.
The stranger surrendered without resistance.
Inside his jacket, they found duplicate reception keys, an encrypted drive, and photographs of Megan entering the venue.
Diane claimed she had never seen him.
The stranger disagreed.
“She hired me.”
A murmur moved through the room.
Federal agents had not arrived yet, but Robert’s security director recorded the statement.
The man explained that Diane paid him to steal a metal plate from Megan’s belongings.
If the object was not there, he was supposed to copy everything from her phone.
Diane shouted that he was lying.
Then he produced payment records.
The transfer came from a charity account created in Daniel Parker’s name.
Daniel stared at his aunt.
“You used my rehabilitation foundation.”
Diane’s eyes filled with anger.
“I protected the company that funds that foundation.”
“You protected yourself.”
Megan took back her clutch.
She opened it.
Inside were lipstick, a compact mirror, and the secure phone.
No serial plate.
Diane looked almost relieved.
Megan closed the bag.
“The evidence was never inside.”
“Then where is it?” Diane demanded.
May you like
Megan looked toward Robert.
“In a place your money cannot reach.”
