Chapter 5: The Price of Being My Best Friend
By six in the morning, I had stopped thinking of Vanessa as my former best friend.
She was a witness.
Richard was a potential criminal.
And I was beginning to suspect that my wedding had been used as cover for something much larger.
Ryan made coffee while I copied Julia's documents onto an encrypted drive.
“Have you told Daniel about Northbridge?”” he asked.
“Not yet.””
“Why?””
“Because I don't know how much he knows.””
Ryan placed a mug beside my laptop.
“Emma, he's your fiancé.””
“I know.””
“Then stop treating him like a suspect.””
I looked at him.
“I'm not.””
“You've been investigating everyone except him.””
I stared into my coffee.
He wasn't entirely wrong.
Daniel had told me the truth about Vanessa's advances. He had shown me the messages. He had admitted that he'd made mistakes by keeping things from me.
But there was still one question.
Why had Vanessa been so certain that Daniel would eventually choose her?
I'd heard her speak with confidence.
Not hope.
Not desperation.
Certainty.
I picked up my phone.
“I'm calling him.””
Daniel answered on the second ring.
“Emma?””
“Good morning.””
“Have you slept?””
“No.””
“Neither have I.””
I heard the familiar sound of his coffee machine.
For a moment, I wanted to be there.
I wanted to be in his kitchen, wearing one of his oversized shirts, complaining about the lack of sleep before our wedding.
Instead, I was sitting in a hotel suite looking at forged employment documents.
“Daniel, I need to ask you something about Northbridge.””
His tone changed.
“What about it?””
“Did Vanessa ever ask you about the project?””
A pause.
“Yes.””
“When?””
“Several weeks ago.””
“What did she ask?””
“She wanted to know whether Carter Development had submitted a bid.””
My fingers tightened around the phone.
“What did you tell her?””
“That we were preparing a proposal.””
“Did she ask about the figures?””
“She asked whether the contract was worth pursuing.””
“And?””
“I told her I couldn't discuss confidential business matters.””
I closed my eyes.
“Did you ever give her documents?””
“No.””
“Did you show her anything on your laptop?””
“No.””
“Did she ever have access to your office?””
Daniel hesitated.
“Once.””
I sat upright.
“When?””
“About a month ago. She came to collect something she'd left in my car after your engagement party.””
“What did she collect?””
“A handbag.””
I frowned.
“Why was her handbag in your car?””
“She'd asked me to drive her home because you were feeling unwell after the party.””
I remembered.
I'd developed a terrible headache that evening and gone home early.
Daniel had stayed behind to help clean up.
Vanessa had offered to help him.
I hadn't thought anything of it.
“Did you let her into your office?””
“No. She waited in the reception area.””
I exhaled.
“Okay.””
“Emma, what's going on?””
I explained everything.
The bank transfer.
The forged investigation.
The proposed promotion of Vanessa.
The Northbridge files.
Daniel listened without interrupting.
When I finished, he spoke carefully.
“Have you contacted a lawyer?””
“Not yet.””
“Then don't access any more company documents until you do.””
“I need to secure the evidence.””
“I understand. But you need to protect yourself legally.””
I looked at Ryan.
He nodded.
Daniel continued.
“Emma, there's something else about Northbridge.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“What?””
“Carter Development isn't the only company that submitted a proposal.””
“I know.””
“Richard approached me privately last month.””
I sat completely still.
“What did he want?””
“He offered to introduce me to a private investor who could finance the project.””
“Why would he do that?””
“I don't know. But the investor wanted access to our development projections.””
“Did you give them anything?””
“No.””
“Why not?””
“Because the proposal was still under negotiation. And because Richard wanted me to sign a confidentiality agreement that included a very unusual clause.””
“What clause?””
“He wanted the right to review any documents shared between Carter Development and its partners.””
I frowned.
“That sounds like a conflict of interest.””
“It was. I declined.””
I stared at the photograph of the bank transfer.
“Daniel, I think Richard and Vanessa were working together to steal information.””
He was quiet.
Then he said, “I think you're right.””
I rubbed my forehead.
“Why didn't you tell me about Richard's offer?””
“Because I didn't think it had anything to do with you.””
I almost laughed.
“Apparently, everything has something to do with me.””
“Emma.””
His voice softened.
“I'm sorry.””
I closed my eyes.
“I don't need you to apologize every five minutes.””
“I know.””
“I need you to stop keeping things from me because you think you're protecting me.””
“I understand.””
“Promise me.””
“I promise.””
We ended the call.
Ryan was watching me.
“What's next?””
I looked at the time.
6:24 a.m.
“The wedding.””
He blinked.
“Seriously?””
“Yes.””
“Emma, there are more important things happening.””
I looked toward the dress.
“There's nothing more important than making sure Richard and Vanessa don't get to decide what happens to my life.””
Ryan shook his head.
“You're unbelievable.””
“I know.””
He smiled faintly.
Then my phone rang.
The hotel manager.
“Miss Collins, I'm sorry to disturb you. We have a situation downstairs.””
“What kind of situation?””
“Your maid of honour is refusing to leave the property.””
I frowned.
“Why?””
“She says she needs to speak with you.””
“Tell her no.””
“We did. But she says she has information concerning the wedding.””
I looked at Ryan.
“What information?””
Martin hesitated.
“She claims your wedding planner has been paid to change the ceremony arrangements.””
My blood went cold.
“What?””
“She says someone instructed the planner to move the ceremony to a different location.””
I stood.
“Who instructed her?””
“Miss Reed claims it was Mr. Hale.””
I looked at Ryan.
He swore under his breath.
“Bring her to a private meeting room,” I said.
“And make sure security stays present.””
“Of course.””
I hung up.
Ryan grabbed his jacket.
“You're not meeting her alone.””
“I know.””
We went downstairs.
Vanessa was sitting in the hotel's executive lounge.
She wore a cream blouse and dark trousers. Her hair was tied back, and she'd reapplied her makeup.
She looked almost exactly as she had at our engagement party.
When she saw me, she stood.
“Emma.””
I stopped several feet away.
“What do you want?””
“To help you.””
I laughed.
“That's a little late.””
“Please. Just listen.””
Ryan moved beside me.
“Say what you need to say.””
Vanessa looked at him.
“I need to talk to Emma privately.””
“No.””
She turned back to me.
“Richard has been lying to both of us.””
I folded my arms.
“Then why did he pay you $25,000?””
Her face changed.
Only for a second.
But I saw it.
“Where did you get that information?””
“So it's true.””
Vanessa looked toward the security officer.
Then she lowered her voice.
“Emma, you don't understand what Richard is capable of.””
“Neither do you, apparently.””
“He promised me something.””
“What?””
“A future.””
I stared at her.
“With Daniel?””
She shook her head.
“No. With your position.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“So you knew about the job?””
“Yes.””
“And you were willing to destroy my wedding for it?””
“I thought you were leaving anyway.””
“Why?””
“Richard said you were planning to move with Daniel.””
“That was never true.””
“He said you'd eventually resign.””
“And you believed him?””
Vanessa looked down.
“He said if I helped him, he'd make sure I got your position.””
I took a slow breath.
“Did you believe you deserved it?””
“I knew I could do the job.””
“You don't have the qualifications.””
“I could learn.””
“You could have applied honestly.””
Her eyes filled.
“You've always had opportunities handed to you.””
I stared at her.
“Do you hear yourself?””
She looked away.
I continued.
“You were my closest friend. I gave you access to my home, my family, my work, and my wedding. I trusted you with the most important day of my life.””
“I know.””
“No, Vanessa. You don't.””
I stepped closer.
“You used that trust to steal my passwords. You took my wedding rings. You planned to ruin my dress.
You lied to Daniel. You helped Richard build a fake case against me.””
Vanessa's lips trembled.
“I never wanted you to get hurt.””
“Then what did you think would happen?””
She wiped her cheek.
“I thought you'd cancel the wedding. Daniel would realize he wasn't happy. Richard would give me your position. Everything would work out.””
I stared at her.
“And you thought I'd simply disappear?””
She didn't answer.
I shook my head.
“Why did you need Daniel?””
“Because he was part of the plan.””
“What plan?””
Vanessa glanced toward the windows.
Then she said something I hadn't expected.
“Richard wanted Daniel to become suspicious of you.””
I frowned.
“What?””
“He wanted Daniel to believe you were leaking information to his competitors.””
I looked at her.
“Why?””
“Because if Daniel thought you were involved in the Northbridge fraud, he'd distance himself from you.””
My chest tightened.
“Fraud?””
Vanessa swallowed.
“Richard told me there were missing payments. He said you were involved. He wanted Daniel to believe you were using his company to move money.””
I felt cold.
“Did you know I wasn't involved?””
She hesitated.
“I didn't know.””
“Did you ask?””
“No.””
“Why not?””
“Because I wanted the job.””
The answer was so simple that it almost made me dizzy.
I turned away.
Ryan placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Emma, we need to go.””
But Vanessa suddenly spoke again.
“Wait.””
I stopped.
“There was another payment.””
I turned.
“What payment?””
“Richard paid someone else to help.””
“Who?””
She looked at me.
“Your wedding planner.””
I felt my heart sink.
“Sarah?””
Vanessa nodded.
“Sarah was supposed to change the ceremony arrangements and make sure Daniel never saw you before the wedding.””
I stared at her.
“Why?””
“Because Richard wanted the ceremony delayed until the investigation was released.””
“That's insane.””
“He said if Daniel became worried, he'd cancel the wedding himself.””
I felt sick.
“Did Sarah agree?””
“Yes.””
I pulled out my phone.
I called Sarah.
No answer.
I called again.
Voicemail.
I sent a message.
*Sarah, I need you to call me immediately. There has been a serious problem with the wedding arrangements.*
Vanessa watched me.
“There's more.””
I looked up.
“What?””
“Richard didn't just pay Sarah to change the ceremony.””
“What else?””
“He asked her to replace the document envelope in your bridal suite.””
My blood turned cold.
“What document envelope?””
Vanessa looked directly at me.
“The one containing your marriage certificate paperwork.””
I stared at her.
The marriage certificate paperwork had been prepared by our solicitor and delivered to the hotel two days earlier.
I had placed it in the locked drawer beside my wedding dress.
“What was she supposed to replace it with?””
Vanessa swallowed.
“A different set of documents.””
“Which documents?””
“I don't know.””
“Vanessa!””
She flinched.
“I swear. I don't know.””
Ryan stepped forward.
“Then why are you telling us this now?””
Vanessa looked at him.
“Because Richard has stopped answering my calls.””
For the first time, I noticed how frightened she looked.
Not ashamed.
Not remorseful.
Frightened.
“He told me he'd protect me,” she whispered.
“He said everything would be fine. But when I called him after security found the rings, he told me to stop contacting him.””
I stared at her.
“And now you're worried he'll abandon you?””
She looked down.
“Yes.””
I felt no sympathy.
“You should have thought about that before you helped him.””
A hotel employee approached.
“Miss Collins, there's a call for you at reception. The wedding planner is on the line.””
I immediately took the phone.
“Sarah?””
Her voice was trembling.
“Emma, thank God.””
“Where are you?””
“At the venue.””
“What did Richard ask you to do?””
Silence.
“Sarah?””
“I can explain.””
“Did you change the ceremony location?””
“Yes.””
“Did you alter my marriage paperwork?””
“I didn't know what was inside the envelope.””
My grip tightened.
“What did you do with it?””
“I haven't touched it.””
“Then why did Vanessa say you were supposed to replace it?””
Sarah began crying.
“Because Richard told me it was necessary.””
“Necessary for what?””
“He said there was a legal issue with the original paperwork.””
I closed my eyes.
“Sarah, listen carefully. Do not touch anything. Do not move any documents. Do not allow Richard or anyone from his office into the venue.””
“Emma, he's here.””
My heart stopped.
“Who?””
“Richard.””
I looked at Ryan.
“Where?””
Sarah whispered:
“He's in the bridal preparation room.””
Then I heard a door close on her end.
A man's voice spoke.
“Sarah, who are you talking to?””
Richard.
Sarah gasped.
The call disconnected.
I stared at the phone.
Ryan took my arm.
“Emma, we're going to the venue.””
I nodded.
Then another message appeared on my screen.
From Vanessa.
I looked at her.
She was still sitting in the lounge, her face pale.
I opened the message.
*I forgot to tell you something. Richard has a copy of your original wedding paperwork.*
May you like
A second message arrived.
*And he's planning to use it today.*
