"You look just like her," she whispered.
"You look exactly like Catherine."
Claire didn't flinch.
"I know."
Evelyn walked between the two agents toward the ballroom doors.
Her heels clicked on the marble.
No one followed her.
No one called after her.
At the door, she stopped.
"Daniel."
He didn't look up.
"I'm sorry."
Daniel's jaw tightened.
He said nothing.
The doors closed behind her.
The ballroom was quiet.
Guests stood in clusters, whispering.
A man near the back pulled out his phone and stepped toward the exit.
Someone else followed him.
Daniel took a step toward Claire.
Richard moved between them.
"Don't," Richard said.
"I need to talk to her."
"You need to talk to a lawyer," Richard said.
"You put your hands on my daughter.
Whatever you knew or didn't know, that happened."
"I know." Daniel's voice was barely audible.
"I know it happened.
I can't undo it."
Claire looked past Richard at Daniel.
Her cheek was still swollen.
"Did she tell you to ask me about my parents?"
Daniel met her eyes.
"She suggested I should know more about your background.
She said it was strange that you never talked about your childhood."
"She set it up," Claire said.
"She wanted you to push.
She wanted to see what I'd say when I was cornered."
Daniel's face collapsed.
"I'm sorry.
Claire, I'm so sorry."
"You should go," Claire said.
Daniel stood there for a moment longer.
Then he turned and walked toward the side exit.
His footsteps were unsteady.
He paused at the door, looked back once, and left.
Guests collected their coats.
A few approached Richard and shook his hand without speaking.
The cameras outside had gone quiet.
Morrow returned from the corridor.
"Colonel, we'll need Claire to come in tomorrow for a formal statement.
Tonight, I'd recommend you take her somewhere safe."
Richard nodded.
"I have a place."
Morrow looked at Claire.
"Miss Hale.
Your mother was one of the bravest people I've ever worked with.
I was a junior agent on that detail.
