Page 371 of Double or Nothing

A receptionist eventually picks up and I begin the same performance. The Parker wedding. The dining arrangement. Mr Otley’s concerns. Mrs Parker’s request for clarification.

This time, the woman recognises the booking.

My fingers stop moving.

“Yes,” I say. “That’s the one.”

Bryce straightens beside me.

I give him a nod.

Active venue. A private events house near Regent’s Park.

I keep the relief out of my voice.

“Thank you for the confirmation. Could you connect me with the planner?”

She places me on hold and I end the call.

Bryce stares at me.

“We know the venue now,” I say. “There we go. That’s our in.”

I close the rejected venue tabs until only the correct one remains. A photograph of the ballroom fills the screen. Round tables. Chandeliers. Pale flowers. Ivory-covered chairs tied with lifeless bows.

A perfect room for everybody except the bride.

“I need Susan Parker’s number,” I tell Bryce.

His expression changes. Wary.

“What are you going to do?”

“Speak to Alice.”

“Her mother won’t put you through. No way.”

“She won’t put Jack Reid through, no.” My smile appears. “But she will happily assist someone from the venue.”

Bryce takes out his phone. He finds Susan’s number but hesitates before showing me.

“If this goes wrong, Bill will know we’re interfering. And he’ll be buckling Alice down even more.”

“And if we do nothing, William wins. End of.”

He hesitates a second longer, eyes fixed on mine.

“Fine, I trust you,” he says, and I enter Susan’s number into my phone.

The steel flame steadies. No wild plan. No army storming in. Just one single telephone call.

One opportunity to give Alice the information nobody else wants her to have.

“Moment of action,” I say. “Get ready for it.”

“Shit, Jack,” Bryce says. “Please be careful.”

“I will.”