Chapter 5 - The Papers Marlene Wanted Signed
The security officer arrived first.
Then the bar captain.
Then the restaurant owner himself.
Everett spoke calmly, but the room around us had changed. Even the nearby diners, though pretending not to stare, knew something serious was happening.
The decanter was collected without being opened further.
The untouched wine glass was taken too.
Then Everett asked a question that made Marlene go rigid.
“What time did you arrive tonight?”
She answered too fast. “With you.”
The bar captain frowned. “Actually, ma’am, I saw you come in early. About twenty minutes before Mr. Sloan.”
I saw Marlene’s jaw tighten.
Everett didn’t even look surprised. That was what unsettled me most—like some part of him had already expected deceit.
“Why early?” he asked.
Marlene smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
“I wanted to make sure everything was perfect.”
“For dinner?”
“Yes.”
Everett reached into the inside pocket of his tuxedo jacket and pulled out a folded document packet.
He placed it on the table.
“I told you this morning I wouldn’t sign anything tonight.”
My breath caught.
Marlene’s face changed.
Not much.
Just enough.
Everett tapped the packet.
“These are the transfer papers you wanted me to look at. Temporary control of three vineyard properties while I ‘rest.’”
Marlene’s lips parted.
“You said you’d consider it.”
“I said I’d have my attorney review it.”
He leaned forward.
“And now it seems someone may have preferred I become too impaired to notice what I was signing.”
The silence after that was heavier than any shout.
I looked at Marlene.
May you like
And for the first time, she didn’t look like an elegant dinner guest.
She looked cornered.
