Chapter 16 — Mother and Daughter
Celeste’s escape changed everything.
Federal agents took control of the investigation.
Airports were alerted.
Borders were watched.
But Vivian and Celeste did not leave the country.
Instead, they returned to Boston.
Their target was not Walter.
It was Richard.
At midnight, the Ashford Hotel received an emergency call reporting an electrical failure in the underground garage.
Richard went downstairs with an engineer.
The engineer was found unconscious ten minutes later.
Richard disappeared.
Lena received a video call from Celeste.
Her father sat tied to a chair inside an unfinished building.
His face was bruised but alert.
Celeste stood behind him.
Vivian remained out of frame.
“Bring the key,” Celeste said.
“You’ll release him first.”
Celeste laughed.
“You still believe you’re in a position to negotiate.”
“What is in the box?”
“My inheritance.”
“Money stolen from disabled people?”
“My family’s money.”
“Your father tried to expose you.”
“My father was weak.”
Richard looked at the camera.
“Don’t bring it, Lena.”
Celeste struck the back of his chair.
“Quiet.”
Lena kept her expression still.
“Where?”
Celeste gave her an address.
An abandoned theater in South Boston.
“Come alone.”
The call ended.
Priya had traced it.
The signal came from the theater, but police could not enter without risking Richard’s life.
Lena arrived carrying the key.
She wore the same hotel uniform from the gala.
Celeste looked almost offended.
“You came dressed as a servant.”
Lena faced her.
“No. I came dressed as the woman who stopped you.”
Vivian stepped from the shadows.
She held a pistol.
“You sound exactly like your mother.”
Lena raised the key.
“Release my father.”
Vivian smiled.
“Your mother asked for the same thing before she died.”
Richard’s eyes closed.
Lena’s hand tightened around the key.
“You were there.”
May you like
Vivian nodded.
“I watched her car leave the road.”
