Chapter 1 - The Recorder Was in the Diaper Bag
The string quartet stopped in the middle of a song.
Vivienne Hale stood beneath the chandeliers of the Grand Ashford Ballroom wearing a black tailored suit. Her six-week-old daughter, Sophia, slept safely against her chest in a padded baby carrier.
In one hand, Vivienne held a sealed envelope.
Across from her, Dominic Hale stood in a black tuxedo beside a white floral arch.
His new bride, Claire Whitmore, covered her mouth.
Two hundred guests turned toward the entrance as Assistant District Attorney Fiona Vance entered behind Vivienne with two plainclothes detectives.
Dominic’s face went still.
“Vivienne, you need to leave.”
Vivienne looked directly into his eyes.
“That’s what you said in the snow.”
Claire slowly turned toward him.
“What does she mean?”
Dominic ignored her.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
“You’re confused. Give me the baby and go.”
Vivienne extended the envelope.
“The recorder was in the diaper bag.”
The confidence disappeared from his face.
Fiona stopped beside her.
“Mr. Hale, this wedding is now evidence.”
A murmur moved through the ballroom.
Dominic looked toward the side doors, calculating whether he could leave before the detectives reached him.
Claire caught his sleeve.
“You told me she abandoned you.”
Vivienne glanced down at Sophia’s peaceful face.
Six weeks earlier, Dominic had pushed both of them into a Colorado blizzard and locked the door.
Now the room was warm.
May you like
The doors were open.
And this time, he was the one with nowhere to hide.
