Chapter 10 — The Syringe
“Put it down,” Lena said.
Her voice shook.
Celeste smiled.
“So brave when people are watching. Not so brave now.”
Walter’s face was gray with fear.
The syringe remained against his skin.
Dr. Rusk’s hand trembled.
He was not calm.
He was desperate.
“Let him go,” Lena said.
“He is confused,” Rusk replied. “He needs sedation.”
“He was kidnapped from a hospital.”
Celeste stepped closer.
“No one kidnapped him. He was transferred for his own safety.”
“Then why did you disable the ambulance tracker?”
Celeste’s eyes narrowed.
“You’re clever.”
“No. You’re just used to no one questioning you.”
The words struck a nerve.
Celeste took the syringe from Rusk.
Walter closed his eyes.
“Your father should have taught you when to stop,” Celeste said.
“He taught me not to confuse wealth with power.”
Celeste leaned down.
“Your father’s hotels are built on money my family gave him.”
Walter opened his eyes.
“That’s not true.”
Celeste turned.
Walter’s voice was weak, but steady.
“Your father invested in Richard’s first hotel because Richard saved him from bankruptcy.”
“Be quiet.”
“Malcolm was ashamed of you.”
Celeste slapped the armrest beside Walter’s hand.
“Be quiet!”
The sudden movement gave Lena her chance.
She grabbed a metal tray and knocked the syringe from Celeste’s hand.
It struck the floor and rolled beneath a cabinet.
Police rushed into the room.
Celeste tried to run.
Priya caught her before she reached the hallway.
Dr. Rusk sank against the wall.
“It wasn’t supposed to happen like this,” he whispered.
Walter looked at him.
“How was it supposed to happen?”
Rusk stared at Celeste.
“She said Malcolm would only sleep.”
Celeste stopped struggling.
Every person in the room heard him.
May you like
Rusk lowered his head.
“But he never woke up.”
