She stared at the screen.
Another message followed.
Ask for the blue case.
Mara almost deleted it.
Then a third message appeared.
If you don't, Ethan will never tell you what happened to Claire.
Mara froze.
Claire.
That name had not been spoken in their house for years.
Claire Bennett had been Ethan's younger sister.
She had died seven years earlier.
A car accident.
At least, that was what everyone believed.
Mara had never known Claire well.
She had met her only twice.
The first time, Claire had been warm and cheerful.
The second time, she had seemed frightened.
That second meeting had happened three weeks before her death.
Mara remembered it clearly.
Claire had taken her aside.
"I need to ask you something."
"What?"
"Does Ethan ever lie to you?"
Mara had laughed.
"What kind of question is that?"
Claire hadn't laughed.
"Just answer."
Mara had shrugged.
"Not that I know."
Claire had looked toward the doorway.
Then she had whispered:
"Don't trust everything you see."
Three weeks later, Claire was dead.
Ethan never talked about it.
Mara had respected his silence.
But now someone had sent her a message about Claire.
She should have ignored it.
Instead, she went to Bellamy & Co.
The boutique was one of the most exclusive jewelry stores in the city.
Mara walked inside.
A sales associate greeted her.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Bennett."
Mara smiled politely.
"I'm looking for something."
"Of course."
"Someone told me there was a blue case."
The associate's expression changed.
Only slightly.
But Mara noticed.
"Excuse me?"
"A blue case."
The woman hesitated.
Then she looked toward the manager's office.
"One moment."
Five minutes later, the manager appeared.
His name was Julian Price.
He was pale.
"Mrs. Bennett."
"Do you have something for me?"
Julian looked nervous.
"I don't understand."
"I was told to ask for the blue case."
He stared at her.
Then he walked toward a locked cabinet.
He opened it.
Inside was a small blue jewelry case.
Mara's heart began beating faster.
Julian handed it to her.
"I was told to give you this if you came."
"Who told you?"
"I don't know."
"Who delivered it?"
"I can't say."
"Why?"
Julian looked toward the security cameras.
"Because I was instructed not to discuss it."
Mara opened the case.
Inside was a folded piece of paper.
She unfolded it.
There was only one sentence.
The necklace will be placed in your bag. Do not let anyone stop you until you reach the sidewalk.
Mara stared at the words.
"What is this?"
Julian stepped back.
"I don't know."
Then something happened.
A young employee approached Mara.
"I'm sorry, ma'am."
"What?"
"There was a mistake."
The employee pointed toward Mara's shopping bag.
"I think someone put something inside."
Mara opened it.
The velvet box was there.
She hadn't seen anyone put it inside.
She pulled it out.
Julian's face turned white.
"Don't touch that."
Mara looked at him.
"Why?"
He didn't answer.
Then the police entered.
Everything happened quickly.
Questions.
Accusations.
Security guards.
Mara's name.
The necklace.
And finally, the handcuffs that never came because Ethan arrived before the officers could take her away.
Now, standing beneath the rain, Mara watched her husband ask about the serial number.
The officer finally answered.
"We haven't checked it yet."
Ethan nodded.
"Then you should."
The boutique manager stepped forward.
"Mr. Bennett, there is no need to—"
Ethan turned.
"Julian."
The manager froze.
"Yes?"
"Did you contact the police?"
Julian swallowed.
"Yes."
"Before or after the necklace was found?"
"After."
Ethan looked at Mara.
"What exactly did you touch?"
Mara's voice was barely audible.
"The case."
"Anything else?"
"The necklace."
Ethan's expression tightened.
"Why?"
"Because someone put it in my bag."
The police officer interrupted.
"Mr. Bennett, we're conducting an investigation."
"I understand."
"Please step back."
Ethan didn't move.
Instead, he looked at Mara.
"Did anyone tell you to come here?"
She hesitated.
"Yes."
"Who?"
"I don't know."
"What did they say?"
Mara looked at him.
"They mentioned Claire."
The color disappeared from Ethan's face.
The police officer noticed.
"So you knew this was connected to Claire Bennett?"
Ethan didn't answer.
Mara felt something cold move through her.
"Ethan?"
He finally looked at her.
"Get in the car."
"Why?"
"Because we need to talk."
"About Claire?"
His jaw tightened.
"Not here."
The officer stepped between them.
"Nobody is leaving yet."
Ethan looked at him.
Then he said:
"Check the serial number."
The officer did.
He called it in.
A few seconds passed.
Then his expression changed.
He looked at the jewelry box.
"This necklace was reported stolen seven years ago."
Mara's breath caught.
"Seven years?"
The officer nodded.
"Yes."
Ethan closed his eyes.
Mara looked at him.
"Claire."
He didn't respond.
The necklace had belonged to Claire.
It had been reported missing after her death.
And now it had been placed inside Mara's bag.
Someone wanted the police to believe Mara had stolen it.
But why?
The officer turned toward Mara.
"Mrs. Bennett, I'm afraid you're going to have to come with us."
Ethan stepped forward.