Chapter 6 - The Locked Ballroom
Nolan removed the flash drive and placed it in Elena’s hand.
“Keep it where no one can see.”
“You took it.”
“I prevented them from taking it.”
Margaret’s men moved closer.
Nolan fired at the chandelier controls.
The lights burst on at full brightness, blinding the attackers for several seconds.
“Kitchen exit,” he told Elena.
Ryan grabbed her arm.
She pulled away.
“Do not touch me.”
“Elena, please.”
“You chose them.”
“I chose time.”
“You chose yourself.”
Tessa reached them from behind the tables.
“There is another way out through the flower storage room.”
Celeste appeared behind her.
Blood marked the white fabric near her shoulder where flying glass had cut her.
“Take me with you.”
Tessa stared at her.
“You planned to drug her.”
“My mother planned it.”
“You handed me the ring.”
“I did what I was told.”
Elena recognized the same excuse Ryan had been using.
She looked at Celeste.
“You watched them tear my gown.”
Celeste’s eyes lowered.
“Yes.”
“Then remain with the people you chose.”
Elena followed Tessa through the kitchen.
Ryan came behind them despite her order to stay away. Nolan covered the corridor while security officers fought to regain control of the ballroom.
The flower room smelled of roses and cold water.
Tessa pushed aside a metal shelf, revealing a narrow service door.
Ryan unlocked it with a stolen access card.
“How did you know about this?” Elena asked.
“I helped Margaret inspect the hotel last month.”
“For the wedding?”
“For tonight.”
They entered a private hallway leading toward the executive suites.
At the far end stood the conference room where the documents had been prepared.
The door was open.
Inside, Peter Lang lay unconscious beside the table. The notary had vanished. Dr. Greer’s medical case was missing.
On the wall hung several photographs of Elena taken without her knowledge.
Elena leaving prenatal appointments.
Elena walking through her garden.
Elena asleep beside Ryan on their living room sofa.
Her fear became cold fury.
“They have been watching me inside my own home.”
Ryan stared at the sleeping photograph.
“I did not know about these.”
Nolan checked behind the frames.
One concealed a small microphone transmitter.
Tessa opened a drawer.
Inside were hospital bands printed with Elena’s name and a death certificate listing complications during pregnancy as the cause.
The date of death was tomorrow.
Ryan looked sick.
“This was not part of the plan.”
Elena faced him.
“You continue saying that as though the plan you knew about was acceptable.”
A noise came from the adjoining suite.
Nolan opened the door.
The missing notary sat tied to a chair. Beside her stood Dr. Greer holding a syringe against her neck.
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“Give me the drive,” he said, “or she dies first.”
Continue to the next part: Elena discovers that the doctor waiting to sedate her has his own reason for needing the archive.
