Chapter 9 — Natalie Tells George Why She Lied
Before the tournament ended, Natalie asked to speak with George.
“I’m sorry.”
George looked at her.
“For saying it was found yesterday?”
She nodded.
“Yes.”
Rachel remained beside him.
Natalie explained.
She was twenty-two.
She had worked at the hotel only three months.
When Colin handed her the hearing aid, she immediately questioned him.
He told her the tournament was handling a possible rules violation.
Then he told her not to release the device without his authorization.
“I asked what to tell the guest if he came looking.”
Colin answered:
“Say it was already in lost property. Yesterday is fine.”
Natalie knew that sounded wrong.
But Colin was an important outside event director.
She assumed he had authority.
“Then your daughter saw the timestamp.”
Rachel nodded.
“Which you printed.”
Natalie almost smiled.
“Hotel policy.”
Every valuable or medical item entering lost property received an automatic date and time.
Natalie could not alter it.
That tiny procedure exposed the lie she had agreed to tell.
George studied her.
“You should’ve said no.”
“I know.”
“But you’re telling us now.”
“Yes.”
George nodded.
“Good.”
Rachel looked surprised.
Later she asked:
“That’s it?”
George smiled.
“She made a bad choice under pressure and admitted it.”
“Colin did too.”
“No.”
George shook his head.
“Colin made the choice, then created the pressure for somebody else.”
Rachel understood the difference.