The Bracelet in Her Locker
Chapter 03 - The Bracelet in Her Locker
Julian moved the confrontation away from the ballroom, but the damage had already been done.
Guests were whispering.
Phones were out.
Emma could already imagine the video online: POOR WAITRESS CAUGHT STEALING AT MILLIONAIRE GALA.
In the staff corridor, Marcus unlocked Emma’s locker with her permission.
The missing diamond bracelet was inside.
Emma stopped breathing.
“No.”
Victoria made a small sound of triumph.
Claire crossed her arms.
“I think we’re finished here.”
Emma stared at the bracelet lying on top of her folded sweatshirt.
“I’ve never seen that before.”
Victoria looked at Julian.
“Call the police.”
Julian did not move.
Emma’s eyes filled.
“My mom is sick. I need this job. I would never—”
Claire cut her off.
“People with problems sometimes make bad choices.”
That sentence hurt more than the accusation.
Because Claire knew about Emma’s mother.
Everyone in scheduling knew. Emma had asked for extra shifts after her mother lost her insurance.
Julian picked up the locker log.
“When was this locker last opened?”
Marcus checked the electronic system.
“7:51.”
Emma shook her head.
“I was in the ballroom at 7:51.”
Marcus looked at the record again.
“Your employee badge opened it.”
“My badge was missing for almost twenty minutes.”
Claire’s face changed.
Emma turned slowly.
“You found it.”
Claire’s lips parted.
Earlier that evening, Emma had panicked when she could not find her badge. Claire had appeared in the prep room holding it.
You dropped this.
At least, that was what she had said.
Julian looked from Emma to Claire.
“Where did you find her badge?”
Claire answered too quickly.
“Near the kitchen.”
Emma shook her head.
“No. I never went near the kitchen.”
Victoria’s certainty began to crack.
Marcus checked another system.
“There’s a secondary camera facing the employee elevator.”
Claire looked toward the door.
Julian saw it.
“Pull the footage.”
Marcus left.
Claire suddenly reached for her phone.
Julian said, “Don’t.”
She froze.
For the first time, Emma understood something terrifying.
This was not about a bracelet.
May you like
Someone needed her fired.
The question was why.
