Chapter 6 - MELANIE CROSS
Melanie asked to speak to me privately the afternoon after the canceled wedding.
We met in a conference room at the Moretti Imperial.
Her union representative attended.
So did hotel HR.
I wanted no question that my employee was being pressured by the owner.
She explained.
Evelyn first approached her three weeks earlier.
Why Melanie?
She had worked several VIP family stays.
Discreet.
Organized.
Knew how to pack fragile personal effects.
Evelyn offered private weekend work through an event-services vendor.
Not off-the-books cash.
A legitimate contractor payment.
Task:
Move selected household objects from Westchester to the Imperial bridal suite for “family photography and consolidation.”
Melanie assumed I approved.
Then labels.
Evelyn gave her cream replacement tags.
NEW MORETTI HOUSEHOLD — BRIDAL INVENTORY.
Melanie hesitated.
“What happens to the old inventory codes?”
Evelyn said:
“They’re obsolete after marriage.”
False.
Melanie did not know that.
Then photographs.
Each object placed beside one of Evelyn’s wedding gifts.
Silver mirror beside new vanity set.
Isabelle’s writing box beside Evelyn’s stationery case.
Old vase beside wedding flowers.
Locket?
May you like
Still on Grace.
That one would not cooperate.
