Richard Mercer crossed the courtyard without hurrying.
That frightened Claire more than if he had run.
“Give me the letter,” he said.
Daniel stepped between him and Claire. “No.”
Richard’s expression barely changed. “You don’t understand what you’re holding.”
Claire folded the page and pressed it to her chest. “Then explain it.”
Richard looked toward the church, where guests had begun gathering behind the glass doors.
“Not here.”
“My wedding just ended here.” Claire’s voice cracked. “I think we’re past worrying about appearances.”
Richard’s jaw tightened.
Daniel turned to him. “Did you pay Claire’s father?”
“No.”
“Did you threaten him?”
“No.”
“Did you know about the letter?”
Richard paused.
That was enough.
Claire laughed once, bitterly. “Of course.”
Her mother, Elaine, arrived breathless from the church.
The moment she saw the letter, the color drained from her face.
Claire noticed.
“So you know too.”
Elaine looked at Richard.
Not Daniel.
Not Claire.
Richard.
Claire felt something inside her collapse.
“What happened twenty years ago?”
Elaine whispered, “Your father made a mistake.”
Richard snapped, “Elaine.”
“No,” Claire said. “You don’t get to stop her now.”
Elaine’s eyes filled.
“Your father was an accountant for Mercer Development. He discovered money being moved through shell companies before a major land acquisition. He believed Richard was stealing from investors.”
Richard said nothing.
Claire looked at him. “Was he?”
“No.”
Elaine continued. “The money wasn’t theft. It was payoff money.”
Daniel’s face hardened. “For what?”
Elaine looked at him with pity.
“To keep your mother out of prison.”
Daniel went still.
Richard finally stepped forward.
“You have no idea what she’s talking about.”
Elaine shook her head.
“Yes, I do. Because Claire’s father kept the proof.”
Claire stared at her mother.
“Where?”
Elaine’s gaze moved to Claire’s bouquet, still in her hand.
“He hid the key in something he knew you would keep until your wedding day.”