Chapter 4: The Woman Who Watched the Door
Camilla lowered the phone.
“That notebook hasn’t left my bakery in eighteen years.”
Vanessa slipped her ring back onto her finger.
“Or perhaps it never existed.”
Margaret faced her.
“I saw that notebook when Rose was alive.”
“You saw a notebook decades ago.
That proves nothing.”
Daniel looked at Camilla.
“Who had access to the bakery?”
“Only Wren and me.”
A woman wearing a black venue jacket approached them.
“That may not be true.”
Vanessa’s shoulders stiffened.
“Mrs.
Bell, this is a private family matter.”
Mrs.
Bell removed her earpiece.
“You made it my business when you asked me to erase the kitchen entrance recording.”
Daniel turned sharply.
“She asked you to do what?”
“She said one of the cameras had recorded an embarrassing disagreement with a supplier.”
Vanessa pointed at Camilla.
“Because she became aggressive over her payment.”
Camilla stared at her.
“We never argued about money.”
“You demanded another five thousand dollars.”
“That’s not true.”
Mrs.
Bell raised one hand.
“The recording has not been erased.”
For the first time, Vanessa took a step back.
Daniel held out his palm.
“Show us.”
Mrs.
Bell led them into the venue office.
Camilla followed, with Margaret close beside her.
Vanessa entered last and shut the door.
Mrs.
Bell opened the security archive.
“I owe you an apology, Camilla,” she said.
“I saw you arrive through the rear entrance and assumed you belonged there because you were carrying a tray.”
Camilla looked at her.
“You weren’t the one who sent me there.”
“No, but I didn’t question it.
I should have.”
Mrs.
Bell selected a recording from six days earlier.
Vanessa appeared on the screen, entering Whitmore Hall with a white bakery box.
Daniel leaned closer.
“Why were you carrying Camilla’s box?”
“It was a tasting sample.”
Mrs.
Bell moved the recording forward.
Vanessa entered the venue kitchen, opened the box, and transferred six cupcakes onto a silver plate.
A caterer walked into view.
The speakers crackled.
“You made these?” the caterer asked.
Vanessa smiled on the screen.
“It’s an old recipe from my grandmother.”
Camilla covered her mouth.
Daniel did not look away from the screen.
“You stood in this building and took credit for her work.”
“It was one tasting.”
“You lied to the caterer, the guests, and me.”
Vanessa grabbed the computer mouse, but Mrs.
Bell caught her wrist.
“Don’t touch my system.”
“Take your hand off me.”
“Step away from the desk.”
Vanessa pulled free.
“This recording proves I carried a box.
Nothing more.”
Mrs.
Bell opened another file.
“This was recorded at Camilla’s bakery three weeks ago.”
Camilla frowned.
“You don’t have cameras there.”
“No, but the shop beside yours does.
Its owner sent this after Wren called me.”
The screen showed Vanessa leaving Camilla’s bakery through the side door.
A flat blue object was tucked beneath her coat.
Daniel froze the image.
“What is that?”
Vanessa lifted her chin.
“A folder.”
“It looks like Camilla’s notebook.”
“Looking like something isn’t proof.”
Camilla stepped toward her.
“You came into my bakery after closing.”
“You invited me to discuss the cake.”
“I left you alone for five minutes while I checked the ovens.”
“And you think I took a worthless old book?”
“You knew exactly what it was worth.”
Vanessa opened her handbag and removed a folded document.
“Before Daniel turns me into a villain, perhaps he should read what Camilla signed.”
She placed it on the desk.
The heading read: TRANSFER OF RECIPES AND COMMERCIAL RIGHTS.
Camilla found her signature at the bottom.
“I have never seen this.”
May you like
Vanessa smiled.
“Then explain why your name is on it.”
