CHAPTER 3 — The Toast That Changed Everything
CHAPTER 3 — The Toast That Changed Everything
Preston's hand tightened around my wrist.
For the first time since I'd met him, the mask slipped completely.
"Uploaded where?" he hissed.
I smiled.
"You'll find out."
His grip tightened.
"Rebecca."
His voice was low enough that no one above could hear it.
"If you're bluffing, you're making a terrible mistake."
"And if I'm not?"
For one long second, we simply stared at each other.
Then footsteps echoed down the staircase.
One of our guests—Judge Nathan Collins—appeared at the bottom landing.
"Everything all right down here?"
Instantly, Preston released me.
Like a switch had been flipped.
The worried husband returned.
"There you are," he said warmly, slipping an arm around my shoulders. "Rebecca got a little disoriented. I was just helping her back upstairs."
Judge Collins smiled kindly.
"Feeling seasick?"
Before I could answer, Preston did.
"She's been struggling with that all evening."
I forced a weak smile.
"A little."
Not because I agreed with his lie.
Because I wanted him to think I was still playing defense.
We climbed back onto the upper deck.
The party looked exactly as it had twenty minutes earlier.
Crystal glasses sparkled beneath soft lights.
Jazz floated through hidden speakers.
A waiter passed with trays of champagne.
Nobody suspected that the smiling couple walking toward them had just discussed an eighteen-million-dollar murder.
Or perhaps more accurately—
An attempted one.
As I took my seat, I quietly studied everyone around the table.
Nathan Collins.
Corporate attorney Diane Mercer.
Charleston developer Howard Briggs.
His wife Elaine.
Retired surgeon Dr. Leonard Fisk.
And Preston's longtime business partner, Grant Wilcox.
Six guests.
Six witnesses.
Or...
Six future jurors.
Preston lifted his champagne flute.
"I'd like to make a toast."
Everyone smiled.
"To Rebecca."
My heartbeat remained perfectly steady.
"My incredible wife."
The lies came effortlessly.
"The strongest woman I know."
A pause.
"She's had a difficult few months."
Several sympathetic faces nodded.
"I know some of you have noticed she's seemed...different lately."
There it was again.
Not an accusation.
A suggestion.
Gentle.
Reasonable.
Almost compassionate.
Dr. Fisk nodded slowly.
"Stress affects people in different ways."
Preston sighed dramatically.
"We've been seeing specialists."
My fingers curled beneath the table.
Another lie.
"I just hope tonight reminds her that she isn't alone."
He raised his glass.
"To healing."
Everyone echoed the toast.
Everyone—
Except me.
Instead of lifting my champagne, I stood.
"I'd like to say something too."
Preston's smile stiffened.
"Of course."
I picked up my untouched glass.
"First..."
"I want to thank everyone for coming."
They smiled politely.
"This has been...an unforgettable evening."
A few laughed.
Then I turned toward Preston.
"My husband mentioned my memory."
He nodded encouragingly.
"As a matter of fact..."
"I've been remembering quite a lot lately."
His expression changed almost imperceptibly.
"I remembered an insurance policy."
Silence.
"I remembered offshore bank transfers."
Grant Wilcox nearly dropped his fork.
Preston answered with a chuckle.
"Rebecca..."
"No."
I looked around the table.
"I'd appreciate it if nobody interrupted me."
Something in my voice made them listen.
"I also remembered discovering that my husband's investment firm has quietly moved millions through companies that don't officially exist."
Grant's face drained of color.
Howard frowned.
"What is she talking about?"
Preston laughed again.
"She's confused."
Then I reached into my evening clutch.
Every eye followed.
I removed a slim black flash drive.
No larger than my thumb.
"I believe this belongs to you."
Preston stopped smiling.
"Rebecca..."
"It contains copies of thirty-seven financial transfers."
Grant stood abruptly.
"Preston..."
"Sit down," Preston snapped.
It was the first time anyone at the table had ever heard him raise his voice.
The silence became absolute.
I noticed something remarkable.
People weren't looking at me anymore.
They were looking at him.
Because calm men don't suddenly shout.
Unless they're frightened.
I slid the flash drive across the polished table.
Straight toward Judge Collins.
"I think you'll find it interesting."
Preston lunged.
His hand reached the drive first.
He closed his fingers around it.
Then smiled.
"Rebecca found an old backup from the office."
He looked at everyone.
"She's misunderstood some accounting records."
Nobody answered.
The silence itself became suspicious.
Then Judge Collins asked quietly,
"If it's ordinary accounting..."
"...why not let me see it?"
May you like
For the first time all evening—
Preston had no immediate answer.
