Chapter 2 - Richard Sees the Beige Handbag
Claire made it three steps toward the marina before Richard noticed the
beige handbag still hanging from her shoulder.
His face changed.
“Claire. Where did you get that bag?”
She stopped.
Not because he had asked.
Because of the fear in his voice.
The bag was hers. She had owned it for years. But that morning she had
filled it with documents from a locked drawer in Richard’s home office.
Richard moved toward her.
“Let me see what’s inside.”
Claire laughed without humor.
“You were kissing another woman thirty seconds ago, and that’s what you
care about?”
Vanessa went pale.
“Richard, what did she find?”
Claire looked at her.
“You know about it?”
Vanessa did not answer.
Richard reached again.
Claire stepped backward.
“Touch this bag and I call security.”
He stopped.
Inside were copies of bank statements, a key, an old photograph, and a
sealed envelope addressed in handwriting Claire recognized.
Her late father-in-law Thomas had written it.
CLAIRE ONLY.
DO NOT GIVE THIS TO RICHARD.
Claire had found the envelope that morning behind a false panel in
Richard’s desk.
She had not opened it.
Not yet.
She had driven to the marina because Richard had lied about where he
would be. She intended to confront him about the documents.
Then she found Vanessa.
Richard looked at the bag.
“Please. Whatever Dad wrote, he didn’t know the whole story.”
Claire stared.
“You know what’s in the envelope?”
“No.”
“But you know why he hid it.”
Richard said nothing.
Vanessa whispered, “Claire, don’t open it here.”
That surprised her more.
“Why?”
May you like
Vanessa looked toward the yacht cabin.
“Because we’re not alone.”
