Chapter 7 - The Infiltration Attempt
The cocktail hour was hosted on the terrace overlooking the vineyard, while the reception ballroom was being prepared for dinner.
At 4:45 PM, Lena materialized at my side with a small, discreet nod toward the side entrance of the reception hall.
“What is it?” I asked, holding my champagne glass securely.
“Tyler and a friend of his arrived thirty minutes ago,” Lena whispered, her face impassive. “They tried to bypass the kitchen loading dock carrying two heavy Pelican equipment cases.”
I felt Daniel step up behind me, resting a hand on the small of my back. “Did they get in?”
“Not a chance,” Lena replied, a tiny, triumphant smirk flickering on her lips. “Officer Martinez intercepted them at the service entrance. Tyler claimed they were official sound technicians sent by the bride. When Martinez asked for the verification password, Tyler cursed at him and tried to push past.”
“And then?” Daniel asked.
“Martinez confiscated the cases. Would you like to guess what was inside?”
“Cold spark projectors and pressurized canisters of baby-pink powder,” I said.
“Bingo. Along with an audio flash drive labeled *BABY GUEST OF HONOR - PLAY AT 6:30 PM*. It was meant to override the first dance playlist.”
I closed my eyes for three seconds, letting the audacity of it wash through me, and then let it go forever.
“Where are they now?”
“Tyler and his buddy were escorted off the premises and warned that returning would result in criminal trespass charges. Chloe is currently sitting in her car in the guest lot, refusing to come in because she says we've ‘ruined the family legacy.’”
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“Let her stay in the car,” I said evenly. “Or she can go home. But the reception doors open in ten minutes, and we are going to dance.”
***
