Chapter 6 - THE RECORDING
The recording arrived at 4:18 p.m. in an email titled “A Gift for the Owner.”
Our forensic team downloaded it into a secure environment. The video showed me speaking with Blythe at the charity event. She asked for a donation. I requested financial records. She became irritated and said the foundation was supported by important people.
I replied that importance did not replace accountability.
The recording had been edited. A few seconds were removed, making it sound as if I had insulted her.
The full ballroom footage showed the cuts. It also showed Blythe placing her phone on the table before the conversation began. Patrick stood near the exit, watching.
After I walked away, Blythe approached a man in a charcoal suit and handed him an envelope.
Evelyn recognized him.
“That's Malcolm Cross. Blythe's uncle. He used to be a financial controller at a hotel group in Boston. He left after an internal investigation.”
Malcolm had signed the onboarding forms for Bellmont Events and Sterling Floral Group.
Blythe had not simply found a careless manager. She had brought a network into the hotel.
At an emergency board meeting, I explained the irregularities and the threats. One director asked whether we should cancel the wedding immediately.
“Yes,” I said. “But first we preserve the evidence and notify the vendors.”
The board agreed to suspend event-related payments and cancel the contract for breach of terms.
Rosa called later.
“Ms. Ashcroft, I saw Mr. Cross in the loading area. He gave a package to one of the catering staff. The staff member looked uncomfortable.”
I asked her to send the time. It was 11:06 a.m., just before a private tasting.
I forwarded the information to Detective Mercer.
He called back. “We're checking a storage unit linked to Malcolm Cross.”
The next morning, the hotel continued operating as usual. Guests checked in, the restaurant served breakfast, and the lobby filled with sunlight.
May you like
But beneath the polished surface, the investigation was moving quickly.
The people who had used the hotel as their private bank were running out of time.
