Chapter 3

When I returned, the movers had cleared half the living room.

“Do you really want every box numbered, weighed, photographed, and sealed?” Mike asked, marker in hand.

“Every single one.”

“That is a lot for the middle of the night,” he muttered, but he followed my instructions.

The doorbell rang.

Megan stood outside holding two cups of coffee.

“Rachel, are you okay?”

She pushed past me, her face tight with concern.

“Why are you here?” My gaze dropped to the spare key in her hand.

“You posted that someone broke into your place. Of course I came.” She pressed a coffee into my hand and hooked her arm through mine.

“I'm fine. The police already checked everything.”

“Calling the police seems extreme. It could have been a stray cat.” Megan surveyed the half empty room.

“Stray cats do not smoke or leave filthy tissues in the trash.”

Something flickered in her eyes. She gave a brittle laugh.

“So what is all this? Are you really moving before dawn?”

“Yes. I'm not spending another second here.”

“Where are you going? Did you already find a place?” she asked, trying to sound casual.

“Skyview Residences.” I gave her the first false address that came to mind.

“Their security is excellent,” she said with a nod. “Does Ethan know you are doing this?”

“Why would I tell him?”

“Don't be so stubborn, Rachel. Ethan has a temper, but he still cares about you.” Megan sighed in the tone she used whenever she pretended to know what was best for me. “Marriage takes compromise. What would it cost you to meet him halfway? I hate seeing you throw away your whole life over one bad fight.”

I resisted the urge to slap her. Instead, I took a blue document pouch from my purse.

“Tonight is chaos. Can you hold on to this for a few days?”

“What is it?” She squeezed the pouch between her fingers.

“The budget for the second half of the year and our old wire-approval token. The file covers a $4.68 million vendor payment. Do not lose it.”

Her eyes brightened. She quickly tucked the pouch into her tote.

“You know you can trust me,” she said.

My phone buzzed again.

“You can move to the other side of the world, but you'll still be my wife.”

“Enough games. Stay home like a good girl. Tomorrow I'll take you to that sushi place you love.”

For the first time, I answered him.

“We can talk one last time after I finish moving.”

He immediately sent back a celebration emoji. “Good. I'll wait.”

I put my phone away and walked into the bedroom. Mike and two younger movers were trying to dismantle the custom bed.

“One, two, three. Lift.”

All three men strained, faces turning red, but the base did not move.

“Is this thing bolted to the floor?” Mike wiped his forehead.

“What is wrong?” I asked.

“It's too heavy. Feels like there are weights inside.”

Megan appeared behind me. “It's solid wood. Of course it's heavy. Just leave it for the landlord, Rachel. A new bed won't cost that much.”

“No. It goes.”

“Why are you being so difficult tonight?”

“I paid for it. Why should I leave it?” I held her gaze.

Mike crouched and shined a flashlight along the base. He rapped his knuckles against the thick panel, producing a dull thud.

Something tapped softly from inside.

It sounded like an object striking wood.

Mike went pale and stumbled back. His hand shook as he pointed at the bed.

“Ms. Sutton, I think there is a person inside this thing.”