Just as the tension in the air could be cut with a knife, a small object suddenly fell from Harry’s pocket.
Both Rosemary and the head of the bodyguard saw it clearly - it was a folding knife that now laid exposed for all to see.
Harry glanced back at them, his movements hurried as he scooped up the knife and stuffed it into his pocket, his face awash with a shade of panic.
"Hold it right there!"
The bodyguard stepped forward, "You dropped something. Show us what it is!"
Beverly’s face fleetingly betrayed her nerves before she regained her composure, "It’s a precaution,we’ve advised him to take."
"Yeah, when Mr. Lucas Collins and Mrs. Beverly Collins don’t have their bodyguards around, I carry this. It’s for their protection. Don’t tell me you guys don’t carry something similar?" Harry retorted.
The head of the bodyguard was momentarily speechless; he carried a weapon, yes, but not a folding knife.
His gut was screaming that this driver was bad news.
"Today is of great significance to the Collins family, attended only by kin and close associates. You’re here, armed with a knife and trespassing," the bodyguard turned to Rosemary, "Ms. Collins, I request
permission to detain him. He’s definitely up to no good!"
"I’ve explained repeatedly that I was unaware of the restricted access here. If I had known, I would’ve steered clear." Harry’s voice trailed off, a note of pleading in his tone as he turned to Beverly, "Mrs.
Beverly Collins, I really can’t hold it much longer."
"You may leave now."
It was Rosemary who spoke, and the directive took everyone by surprise, not least the head of the bodyguard himself.
Was Ms. Collins really letting him go?
Beverly’s smile was radiant, "Rose knows the score. Since she’s given her word, what are you waiting for? Go on, then."
Harry scurried off, casting a backward glance that flickered with unease in the middle of his retreat.
"Ms. Collins." the security chief began, his anxiety palpable. He was convinced Harry was definitely trouble.
"I notice you still have concerns. Why don’t we bring Harry back later for a thorough questioning? I won’t interfere with your methods."
"That’s not necessary. He’s just being cautious, as he shoulders great responsibilities. But I trust your judgment; there’s no need for Harry to return."
Beverly seemed mildly taken aback at her words, "Well then, shall I take my leave?"
"Take care."
Once Beverly was out of earshot, the bodyguard couldn’t contain himself, "Ms. Collins, I really suspect that man is problematic. Mrs. Beverly Collins is clearly covering for him!"
"Who’s problematic?"
A deep, steady voice suddenly joined the conversation.
"Hunter?" The bodyguard saluted him respectfully.
Rosemary chimed in with a dutiful demeanor, "Hunter".
Hunter’s gaze softened as he looked at her, "Who did you say was problematic? Who is Beverly covering for?"
He handed Rosemary a cup of coffee.
The head of the bodyguard was confused. Why would someone want to be checked out??
David echoed the sentiment, "But why??"
"Beverly kept vouching for him, which only made us more suspicious. The more she insisted he was fine, the more likely we were to dig into whether he really was."
David nodded, "Then what?"
"First off, who does he work for?" Rosemary probed.
David blurted out, "Beverly’s driver."
"If he’s shady, doesn’t that suggest Beverly might be too?"
David nodded again, "Right."
"If we suspect Beverly and we check out Harry the driver, only to find his record is squeaky clean; won’t we feel like we’ve accused the wrong person and misunderstood Beverly and her driver?"
"That makes sense," David agreed, nodding.
"Once we clear Beverly, wouldn’t we shift our focus to others and stop watching Beverly so closely? So, if I’m not mistaken, back in the living room, she probably felt we were onto them, which is why they
staged this whole thing. We can leave the driver out of this; whether or not he’s clean, just Beverly’s actions alone are a dead giveaway, aren’t they?"
"Wow, Sis, you’re a genius!!" David finally got it, "Beverly must’ve thought she could clear her name by leading us to her driver, but she had no idea you’ve got a head full of smarts. So, does this mean Beverly really is involved? Was she part of what happened back then?"
Rosemary and Hunter nodded together, speaking in unison, "Possibly."
If Beverly hadn’t acted this way, they might not have suspected her so soon. Now, it was definitely time to dig deeper; not into the driver, but into her and her husband.

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