Chapter 6: The Deal He Tried to Make
They brought Alexander into the room twenty minutes later.
His jacket was straightened.
His tie was still perfect.
He had composed himself in the corridor the way a man does when he has decided that composure is his last remaining asset.
He sat down across from Renata and placed both hands flat on the table, and he looked like a man attending a business meeting he had not particularly wanted but was fully prepared for.
"I'd like to speak to Victoria," he said.
"Victoria isn't available," Renata said.
"Then I'd like to speak to my lawyer."
"You're welcome to call him.
Before you do, I want to make sure you understand what we're looking at." Renata set her notepad on the table.
"A child was found locked in a sealed container at a private event.
The child is six years old and was dehydrated.
Her mother, who holds a supervised release from a remand facility, identified you as the person responsible for placing the child in that container.
We also have a prior conviction under the name Daniel Marsh, which you did not disclose when you assumed a new identity.
Do you want to tell me your legal name?"
"Alexander Hayes."
"That's the name on your current identification."
"That's my name."
"Daniel Marsh is also your name."
A pause.
"I legally changed my name six years ago."
"I'm aware.
The prior conviction travels with you regardless of the name change." Renata leaned back slightly.
"Here's what I want to know.
The chest.
Who locked it?"
His jaw moved.
"I want my lawyer present before I answer any questions."
"That's your right." Renata stood.
"I'll step out so you can make that call."
She was at the door when he spoke.
"Wait."
She turned.
"Victoria." He said the name carefully, like a card being placed on a table.
"She's going to be very upset.
She's going to say things she doesn't mean.
I'd like the chance to speak with her before this goes any further — before she makes statements that could complicate things unnecessarily."
Renata looked at him for a long moment.
"Are you asking me to arrange a private conversation with the woman you were about to marry so that you can manage what she tells us?"
He didn't answer.
"Make your call," Renata said.
She left.
In the corridor, Victoria was waiting.
She had changed out of her wedding dress — someone had found her a plain coat from the catering staff's break room, and she wore it over her bridal undergarments with the kind of dignity that has nothing to do with clothing.
She looked at Renata.
"He wants to talk to me," she said.
It wasn't a question.
"Yes."
"To get my story straight with his."
"That would be my read."
Victoria looked at the closed door.
"What does he think I'm going to do?
Cover for him?"
"He thinks," Renata said carefully, "that you love him.
And that people who love someone will do a great deal to avoid the alternative."
Victoria was quiet for a moment.
"I loved Alexander Hayes," she said.
"I don't know Daniel Marsh at all." She looked at Renata.
"What do you need from me?"
"Everything you know.
Every document, every account, every property, every name he gave you.
His business contacts.
His financial records if you have access.
Anything he told you about his past."
Victoria nodded once.
"I'll need my phone."
"I'll get it."
As Renata turned, Victoria said, "The chest.
It was delivered three days ago.
He told me it was a decorative piece — a gift from a client.
He handled the delivery himself.
He said the lock was decorative too." She paused.
"I never looked inside it.
He said it was empty."
Renata stopped walking.
"He told you the lock was decorative," she repeated.
"Yes."
"But it was a functioning combination padlock."
"Yes."
They looked at each other.
"He planned this before the wedding," Renata said.
Not a question.
"He planned all of it," Victoria said.
"He just didn't plan for Claire to find out in time."
Inside the room, Alexander's voice rose again — a single sharp sentence directed at whoever was still in there with him.
May you like
Then silence.
Then the sound of a phone call being placed.
