Chapter 1 - “It Saw Everything”
Evan Parker held the tiny black object between two fingers.
It was no bigger than the top joint of his thumb.
Behind him, Diane Parker stood frozen near the navy reception desk, one hand covering her mouth.
Melissa saw what the boy was holding.
Her face changed instantly.
Evan looked directly at her.
“I FOUND THIS IN YOUR ROOM.”
Melissa crossed the yacht club lobby so quickly that several members near the tall windows turned toward the movement.
“SHUT YOUR MOUTH, YOU LYING LITTLE BRAT!”
Evan flinched.
Grant Parker stepped forward immediately.
He came in behind Melissa and gripped her firmly by the upper arm before she could get any closer to his nine-year-old son.
“Melissa.”
She twisted violently.
“Let go of me!”
Grant moved her away from Evan.
Melissa struggled harder, turning toward him.
Grant reacted in one fast motion, forcing her backward and away from the child.
She lost her footing.
Her heels slid against the pale limestone.
Melissa crashed onto the floor.
No blood.
No visible injury.
Only shock.
Grant stopped.
He did not touch her again.
Evan remained several feet away with Diane now standing protectively beside him.
Melissa pushed herself partly upright.
“You’re insane!”
Grant stood over her.
Then suddenly raised one arm and pointed toward the ceiling beam.
“You forgot one damn thing.”
Melissa followed his finger.
High above the lobby, a security camera faced the reception area and main corridor.
Its small red indicator blinked steadily.
Melissa’s anger disappeared.
The camera filled the view for one long moment.
Then back to her.
Still on the floor.
Eyes wide.
Fear replacing rage.
Grant’s voice came from above her.
“It saw everything.”
Melissa stopped moving.
And Diane realized the object in Evan’s hand was not the thing Melissa feared most.
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It was what the object could prove when combined with the camera footage.
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