The Unsent Appeal novel · Chapter 19 of 24

Chapter 19: Two Hundred Guests

The club doorman had my photograph on a clipboard.

"Miss, I'm sorry. I've been told you aren't to come in."

"She's my guest," Finley said, coming down the steps two at a time in his good suit. "On my list. In my handwriting."

"Mr. Prescott, I have a call from Mr. Dunphy."

"Mr. Dunphy isn't the one getting married," Finley said. "Let her through."

The doorman looked at Elliott, then stepped aside.

The ballroom was gold and white, with two hundred people holding champagne under chandeliers.

A string quartet played in the corner, and a banner over the stage read Briana & Finley.

I saw my mother before I saw anyone else.

She stood alone by the far windows in a black dress, small and straight, with her hands closed around a glass of water.

She did not look at me, but she saw me.

Dean stood near the stage with a drink and a lawyer I didn't know, laughing at something a guest had said.

He met my eyes across the room and lifted his glass an inch.

Elliott's hand found mine.

"Whenever you're ready," he said.

"After Mrs. Prescott."

Mrs. Prescott took the microphone at eight. She gave her speech about families who tell the truth to each other, and her voice caught twice.

At the end she looked straight at me.

"My son has asked to say a few words," she said, and handed the microphone to Finley.

He took a breath.

"I'd like to introduce a guest," he said. "Rose Dunphy. Briana's sister. She wasn't supposed to be here tonight, and I think you should hear why."

Two hundred heads turned.

My feet carried me up the three steps to the stage, and the light was bright and hot.

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