Chapter 9 - The Bride Without an Answer
"Everyone leave," Juliette ordered. "The ceremony is over."
Nobody moved. The organist was frozen on the bench. Even the flower girl watched from behind her mother's skirt.
Evan took off his wedding band before he had even worn it. "You said Caroline's death was the worst thing that ever happened to you."
"It was!" Juliette cried. "I lost my sister."
"You lost access to her bank account," I said. "So you made sure nobody could find her."
Marcus asked the guests not to touch the papers. Two uniformed officers entered from a side door. The detective spoke calmly. "We're investigating suspected fraud, unlawful restraint, and the fire. No one here is being asked to decide guilt at this altar."
Juliette caught sight of the officers and backed against the marble rail. "Bernard!" she shouted.
I followed her gaze. Our family lawyer was slipping through the side aisle with a slim briefcase tucked against his leg. Marcus nodded to an officer, who moved to intercept him. But Bernard pointed toward the rear doors and yelled, "Fire!"
A harsh alarm erupted. Guests surged into the aisle. Someone knocked over a flower stand. My feet slid on water from a broken vase, and suddenly the smell of smoke from a candle near the door pulled me straight into the cellar again.
Ruth gripped my wrist. "Caroline. Look at me. This is a church. You're safe."
Dad braced himself against a pew. Juliette vanished among the white dresses and dark suits. Evan tried to stop Bernard, who drove an elbow into his ribs and ran toward the reception hall.
I caught one glimpse of the briefcase opening as he passed. Inside were photographs, passports, and a thick manila envelope marked ORIGINAL INTAKE RECORDS.
"Marcus!" I shouted. "He's got the proof!"
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The detective ran after him. Then the chapel lights went out, leaving us in the orange glow of the emergency signs.
From the dark stairwell came Ruth's scream.
