Chapter 4

The phone rang at 11:37 a.m.

Naomi was sitting in the van, parked at the far edge of the lot, watching the reception hall from a distance. The crowd had dispersed—some guests leaving, some lingering to watch the drama unfold. Celeste had been pulled inside by her mother, the door closing behind them. The band had started packing up. The florist had set his arrangements down on the lawn and walked away.

The phone buzzed in Naomi's hand. The screen lit up with a name she didn't recognize: ALICIA PEREZ, COUNTY LABOR BOARD.

Naomi stared at the name for three full seconds before answering.

"Hello?"

"Naomi Torres?" The voice on the other end was brisk, professional.

"This is she."

"This is Alicia Perez with the County Labor Board. I'm calling about a complaint that was filed against your family this morning."

Naomi's breath caught. "A complaint?"

"A wage theft complaint, listing Celeste Hartley and Harriet Reyes as respondents." There was a pause, the sound of papers shuffling. "I understand you were involved?"

"I—yes. I'm the one they didn't pay."

"That's what the filing says. It also says you have documentation." Another pause. "Do you still have the invoice your sister signed?"

Naomi reached for the glove compartment. Her fingers found the folded paper, still soft at the edges. She held it up to the light, as if Alicia could see it through the phone.

"I have it," she said.