Chapter 4 - The Dress That Wasn't Destroyed
Atelier Cole closed to the public at six.
At six-ten, Sophia, Edward, and Maya entered the stockroom through the alterations hallway.
The room smelled like cedar, steam, and expensive fabric.
Hundreds of gowns hung behind numbered canvas covers.
Maya led them to the back wall.
“There.”
The tag read AC-1847.
Edward checked the inventory app on his phone. “Destroyed in transit. Insurance claim approved for sixty-two thousand dollars.”
Sophia unzipped the bag.
The gown inside was flawless.
Hand-beaded silk. French lace. Custom pearl work.
Not destroyed.
Not damaged.
Not even wrinkled.
Edward swore under his breath.
Sophia reached into the bottom of the garment bag and found a second tag tied beneath the official one.
A handwritten name.
V. CARLISLE.
“Who is Vanessa Carlisle?” Maya asked.
Edward looked at Sophia.
Sophia knew exactly who she was.
The daughter of one of the largest private luxury resellers in the country.
Three years earlier, Vanessa’s company had offered to buy excess Atelier Cole inventory at a steep discount. Sophia had rejected the deal because it would have damaged exclusivity agreements with designers.
“Somebody is moving gowns off the books,” Sophia said.
Edward’s expression hardened. “And filing insurance claims.”
Maya suddenly raised a finger to her lips.
Footsteps sounded outside.
The three of them froze.
The stockroom door opened.
Monica stepped inside.
She stopped when she saw Sophia holding the gown.
For half a second, nobody spoke.
Then Monica smiled.
“You really should have gone home when I told you to.”
Edward moved between them.
Monica did not look scared anymore.
That frightened Sophia more than fear would have.
May you like
Because Monica reached into her pocket, pressed something on her phone, and said calmly:
“Grant, they found it.”
