Forty-Seven Guests Watched Maya Leave With Two Suitcases—Then Her Mother’s Orchid Ring Led to the Money Her Husband Said She Didn’t Have

Maya had chosen a seat near the conference room door before realizing she had done it.

Thomas placed a yellow folder on the table.

“Before we begin,” he said, “we should explain why we contacted you.”

Julian’s firm had worked with property and estate records.

After the birthday, Thomas had checked the name from the invitation against an older index he remembered.

A reference to Maya’s mother had caught his attention.

Public records gave them a possible property connection and Ellen Park’s name, not permission to look through Maya’s private affairs.

“We have a lead,” Julian said.