Chapter 4 - THE SECOND CAMERA

Vivian was waiting outside the conference room when Daniel finally emerged.

Her veil was gone. So was the wounded-bride performance.

"You made your point," she said. "Now fix this."

"Someone deleted the ballroom security footage."

For the first time, she hesitated.

Barely.

"Why are you telling me?"

"Because you don't look surprised."

Celia stepped between them. "This is turning into paranoia."

Daniel looked at his future mother-in-law. "Then you won't mind if Marcus checks your phones."

Celia's face sharpened. "Absolutely not."

"Thought so."

Across the ballroom, guests were being encouraged to leave. Reporters had already gathered outside the hotel. A canceled Mercer wedding would be news before midnight.

Noah approached Daniel carefully. "Sir?"

"Daniel."

"Daniel. There's another camera."

Vivian turned.

Noah pointed toward the dessert station. "One of the videographers mounted a small camera behind the floral arch for candid reactions. It's not connected to hotel security."

Daniel's pulse kicked.

They found the videographer packing equipment near the side entrance.

"Do you have the recording?" Daniel asked.

The man glanced at Vivian and immediately looked uncomfortable.

"I was told to erase it."

"By whom?"

Before he answered, Vivian said, "This is ridiculous."

The videographer pulled a memory card from his pocket.

"I didn't erase it."

Daniel held out his hand.

Vivian moved faster.

She snatched the card.

Marcus caught her wrist before she could close her fist.

"Let go of me!"

The ballroom went still again.

Daniel stared at the tiny black card between her fingers.

"If it shows nothing," he said, "why are you trying so hard to destroy it?"

Vivian's breathing changed.

Then she smiled.

"Because it doesn't show what you think."

Daniel took the card from Marcus.

"Good," he said. "Then let's watch it."

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Ten minutes later, the screen showed Noah walking toward Vivian with the tray.

And just before the spill, a woman's hand reached from behind a pillar and shoved him hard between the shoulders.