Chapter 7 - THE FIRST ARREST
Security found the missing original audit schedule in Claire’s handbag.
She had placed it in Samuel’s safe the night before.
Daniel watched two hotel officers escort her through the lobby while business guests pretended not to stare. Vanessa remained upstairs, guarded by Daniel’s assistant “for her protection.”
At the security office, a Las Vegas detective named Maya Torres examined the evidence. “Your former husband says you broke into Room 1904, stole private medical records, and threatened his wife.”
“Ask who rented the room.”
“The hotel says it doesn’t exist in the booking system.”
“Ask Samuel Price.”
Samuel could not be reached.
Claire’s phone had been wiped remotely during the elevator ride. The lake photograph, Daniel’s archive image, and her recording of Vanessa’s statements were gone.
Only the charred newspaper fragment remained in her pocket.
For the first time, Daniel’s trap felt complete.
Then Detective Torres placed Claire’s unopened divorce papers on the desk.
“Your husband says these came from your home.”
“They were thrown at me yesterday.”
“His fingerprints aren’t on them.”
Daniel had worn gloves when he searched her room; he had likely handled the papers through someone else.
Torres leaned closer. “I don’t think you’re telling me everything.”
“I don’t know everything.”
That answer, at least, was true.
Claire described the fire, the hidden ledger, and the payments to E. Cole. Torres listened without changing expression.
“Twenty-four years ago, a woman named Evelyn Cole and her daughter Clara were declared dead near Lake Mead,” the detective said. “No remains were conclusively identified. The case file vanished during a records transfer in 2008.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because someone asked me to review it last month.”
“Who?”
Torres ignored the question. She handed Claire a paper cup of water.
An hour later, the hotel withdrew its complaint. The missing schedule had been found in Samuel’s safe after all. Someone had planted a duplicate in Claire’s bag.
Daniel had overreached.
Outside the office, he waited alone.
“You could have gone home,” he said.
“You could have let me.”
His eyes hardened. “Vanessa is unstable. You showing up with that necklace pushed her over an edge.”
“Why did you marry her?”
“Because she understands ambition.”
“No. Why her?”
He stepped close enough for Claire to smell his cologne. “Because some doors only open for family.”
It was almost a confession.
Claire returned to Samuel’s office and found it empty. His laptop was gone. A water glass lay broken on the carpet.
On the desk, written shakily across a hotel notepad, were six words:
May you like
Do not trust the protected shareholder.
Samuel Price had disappeared.
