Chapter 6 - RICHARD SAW A DEAD WOMAN WALK INTO DINNER
Emily did not announce herself to the press.
She went home first.
Ashford Manor hosted a donor dinner every August.
Politicians.
Bankers.
Foundation trustees.
Local press.
Emily entered at 8:11 p.m.
No invitation.
The staff tried to stop her.
Then the housekeeper saw her face and dropped a tray.
The sound silenced the foyer.
Richard turned.
Ten years older.
More silver in his hair.
Same eyes.
Emily stood beneath the chandelier.
Rain on her black coat.
The room stopped breathing.
Victoria whispered:
“No.”
Marcus’s wineglass slipped from his hand.
Emily looked at her father.
“Hello, Dad.”
Richard’s face became empty.
Not shocked.
Calculating.
That told Emily he had always feared this moment.
People began whispering.
A reporter lifted a phone.
Richard finally spoke.
“Who are you?”
Emily smiled.
“Still doing that?”
Victoria stepped forward.
“This woman is disturbed.”
Emily took the black folder from beneath her coat.
“Then you won’t mind DNA.”
The room erupted.
Richard walked toward her.
Very quietly, he said:
“You should have stayed dead.”
May you like
Emily heard it.
So did the reporter standing six feet away.
