Chapter 2: The Signature
The gavel hit the auction table a second time.
*CRACK.*
Nobody spoke.
The auctioneer, a nervous man in a black tuxedo, stared at the room as if he had no idea why his hand had moved.
Richard remained beside the necklace display.
The certificate trembled slightly between his fingers.
“Evelyn,” he said, “answer me.””
Evelyn forced a laugh.
“It’s nothing.””
Richard’s jaw tightened.
“Nothing?””
She walked toward him.
“Richard, you’re embarrassing me in front of my guests.””
“You signed a transfer document yesterday.””
“I sign hundreds of things.””
“Not for jewelry registered to someone else.””
Evelyn stopped.
Grace watched her carefully.
A waiter approached with a tray of champagne.
Evelyn snatched a glass.
Her hand shook.
She drank anyway.
One of the older guests, Mr. Harrison, stepped closer.
“Richard, what exactly does the certificate say?””
Richard held it up.
“The necklace was registered eighteen years ago.””
“To whom?”” someone asked.
Richard looked at Grace.
“To her mother.””
A woman near the front whispered, “Then how did Evelyn get it?””
Grace answered before Richard could.
“She took it.””
Evelyn slammed her champagne glass onto a nearby table.
“Enough!””
Grace didn't flinch.
Evelyn pointed at her.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about.””
“My mother did.””
The room quieted again.
Grace reached into her apron and pulled out a small photograph.
It was worn and slightly bent.
She held it toward Richard.
“My mother wore it at her wedding.””
Richard took the photograph.
His eyes widened.
In the picture, a younger woman stood beneath an arch of white flowers.
Around her neck was the same diamond necklace.
The same distinctive teardrop-shaped center stone.
The same three smaller diamonds beneath it.
Richard stared at the photograph.
Then at the necklace.
“It’s the same one.””
Grace nodded.
“She told me never to let anyone sell it.””
Evelyn’s face tightened.
“She was confused.””
Grace looked at her.
“My mother was dying. She wasn't confused.””
Silence.
Richard lowered the photograph.
“Evelyn, you told me this necklace belonged to your family.””
“It did.””
“No.””
Richard stepped closer.
“You told me your father bought it in London.””
“He did.””
Grace shook her head.
“He didn’t.””
Evelyn spun toward her.
“You weren't even there!””
“My mother was.””
Grace’s voice cracked slightly.
“She told me everything.””
Evelyn stared at her.
For the first time, Grace saw something behind the anger.
Recognition.
Not of Grace.
Of her mother.
Richard noticed it too.
“You knew her,” he said.
Evelyn said nothing.
Richard's voice became colder.
“You knew Grace’s mother.””
Evelyn looked away.
Grace took a step forward.
“What was her name?””
Evelyn’s lips pressed together.
“Leave.””
Grace blinked.
“What?””
“You heard me. Leave this ballroom.””
Richard stepped between them.
“No.””
Evelyn looked at him.
“This is my reception.””
“And that certificate makes this my problem.””
“You're making a scene over a piece of jewelry.””
Richard held up the paper.
“You signed a transfer yesterday.””
“I already told you. I sign things.””
“Then why did you sign this one?””
Evelyn's eyes moved toward the exit again.
Grace noticed.
So did Richard.
He folded the certificate.
“Security.””
Two uniformed guards near the entrance straightened.
Evelyn’s face hardened.
“Richard, don't.””
“Stay where you are.””
The guests began whispering.
A man near the bar raised his phone.
Evelyn noticed.
“Put that away!””
He lowered it.
But another guest had already started recording.
Grace stood beside the necklace display.
Her eyes were fixed on the little identification tag.
She suddenly noticed something.
The registration number on the tag wasn't the only number.
There was a second line beneath it.
A transfer reference.
Grace leaned closer.
“Richard.””
He turned.
“What?””
She pointed.
“That number.””
Richard bent down.
His expression changed.
The reference ended with four digits.
*1026.*
Yesterday’s date.
Richard looked at Evelyn.
“You transferred it yesterday.””
Evelyn shook her head.
“No.””
“You just admitted you signed the document.””
“I said I signed something.””
“Then tell us what.””
Evelyn’s breathing became faster.
Grace stepped closer.
“You transferred the necklace to someone.””
Evelyn stared at her.
“You don't understand.””
“Then explain it.””
“I can't.””
Richard’s voice sharpened.
“Why not?””
Evelyn looked toward the auction table.
The gavel rested there.
Beside it was a thick black folder.
Grace followed her gaze.
“What’s in that folder?””
Evelyn didn't answer.
Grace moved toward the table.
Evelyn suddenly grabbed her arm.
“Don't.””
Grace stopped.
Richard stared at Evelyn’s hand.
“Let her go.””
Evelyn released her.
Grace looked at the black folder.
Then at Evelyn.
“You're scared of that folder.””
Evelyn whispered, “You have no idea what you're about to uncover.””
Grace reached for it.
The ballroom doors suddenly opened.
A man in a dark suit stepped inside.
He looked directly at Grace.
Then at Evelyn.
Then he said one sentence.
May you like
“Mrs. Hart, we need to talk about your mother.””
Evelyn went completely still.
