Chapter 2 - The Accused Server
Leah looked at Victoria in disbelief.
“I never touched your jewelry.”
Victoria turned toward the guests.
“She entered my dressing room this afternoon.”
“I delivered champagne.”
“You were alone.”
“For thirty seconds.”
That was enough for the room.
A wealthy woman had lost a diamond.
A working woman had entered the room.
The conclusion arrived before evidence.
Ethan noticed several guests looking at Leah’s apron pocket.
“Empty them,” Victoria demanded.
Leah’s face burned.
She slowly removed a folded order sheet, a pencil, two hairpins and twelve dollars in tips.
Nothing else.
Victoria remained unmoved.
“She could have hidden the bracelet.”
Leah looked at Ethan.
“Does every employee have to prove innocence because your fiancée points at them?”
The question silenced the landing.
Ethan asked the venue manager to retrieve the dressing-room access record.
Victoria laughed.
“You are delaying your mother’s gala over a server.”
Mrs. Harrington’s voice remained weak but clear.
“No.”
“We are delaying it because someone tried to turn my wheelchair into a weapon.”
Victoria looked toward her.
“You are frightened and confused.”
Mrs. Harrington’s expression hardened.
“I know the difference between fear and confusion.”
The access record arrived.
Leah entered Victoria’s room at 5:12 p.m.
She left at 5:13.
Victoria’s personal assistant entered three minutes later and remained inside for twenty-seven minutes.
Ethan looked at Victoria.
“Where is your assistant?”
“She went home sick.”
Leah opened the photograph she had taken after delivering the champagne.
Victoria’s bracelet was visible on the vanity.
May you like
Every charm was still attached.
The diamond had been removed after Leah left.
