Chapter 3: The Flash Drive
Nora was taken to a small boardroom overlooking the conservatory.
Through the glass wall, guests remained seated beneath the chandeliers, pretending the gala had not collapsed into scandal.
Denise wrapped the tablecloth around Nora’s shoulders.
“I never accessed the finance archive,” Nora said.
Peter Lowell placed the tablet on the table.
“The login occurred from the workstation beside the auction office.”
“I was in the service corridor.”
“Alone?”
“I saw Grant.”
Grant had now entered the room with Celeste and one of the security guards.
He remained near the door.
“She is trying to redirect attention,” he said.
Evelyn ignored him.
“Check the cameras.”
“The camera covering that corridor was disabled,” Peter replied.
Grant looked almost amused.
“How convenient.”
Nora turned toward him.
“You mentioned my mother before Celeste arrived.”
Grant’s amusement vanished.
Celeste stepped forward.
“My son said no such thing.”
“He said I had my mother’s habit of asking the wrong questions.”
Evelyn looked at Grant.
The silence that followed was different from the silence in the conservatory.
This one carried history.
“Grant,” Evelyn said, “how did you know Claire Hayes?”
Nora stared at her.
“You knew my mother?”
Before Evelyn could answer, the security guard approached Nora.
“I need permission to inspect your purse.”
Nora handed it over.
Inside were her wallet, apartment keys, lip balm, a folded grocery receipt, and a small makeup case.
The guard opened the makeup case.
A black flash drive dropped onto the table.
Nora stopped breathing.
“That isn’t mine.”
Grant exhaled through his nose.
Peter picked up the drive with a handkerchief.
“We need to determine what is on it.”
“You planted it,” Nora said, looking at Grant.
He spread his hands.
“I haven’t been near your purse.”
Celeste turned to Peter.
“Call the police. The foundation has suffered a serious theft.”
Evelyn blocked him from reaching his phone.
“No one calls anyone until we examine the full chain of evidence.”
Peter’s voice remained measured.
“Evelyn, the files were accessed under her identity, and restricted material was found in her possession.”
“Then someone wanted the conclusion to be easy.”
Denise stepped closer to Nora.
“I left your purse in the guest-relations office while you were setting the tables.”
“Who entered the office?” Evelyn asked.
Denise’s eyes shifted toward Celeste.
Celeste stiffened.
“Say what you are thinking,” she demanded.
“I saw you near the office shortly before five,” Denise replied.
“I was looking for the ladies’ room.”
“The ladies’ room is on the opposite side of the building.”
Grant took a step toward Denise.
The security guard moved between them.
Peter connected the flash drive to an isolated laptop.
A password screen appeared, then disappeared without prompting.
Three folders filled the display.
The first was labeled SHAWBRIDGE ACCOUNTS.
The second was labeled CLAIRE HAYES.
The third was labeled NORA — CURRENT SURVEILLANCE.
Nora’s mouth went dry.
Peter opened the third folder.
A photograph appeared on the screen.
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It showed Nora asleep in her own bedroom.
The image had been taken from inside her apartment.
