Chapter 6: The Betrayal at Pier Nine
Celeste entered the abandoned cargo vessel alone.
At least, that was what Julian believed.
Admiral Reed’s tactical team followed through the lower maintenance deck while Agent Hale watched from the pier.
Celeste found Eleanor inside the central cargo hold.
Victoria stood beside her with a handgun.
Julian held the metal document case.
“You should have stayed dead,” he told Celeste.
Victoria’s hand trembled.
Celeste looked at her sister.
“You brought Eleanor out of the clinic.”
Victoria swallowed.
“I had to.”
“No,” Julian said. “She wanted the records. I wanted the company.”
Eleanor lifted her head.
Her eyes met Celeste’s.
Despite sixteen years apart, Celeste recognized her immediately.
Not by her face.
By the way she pressed her thumb against her palm when afraid.
She had done it as a child.
Celeste took one step forward.
Julian aimed the gun at Eleanor.
“Stop.”
“You will not shoot her,” Celeste said.
“You do not know me.”
“I know you hired the men who sabotaged the Red Meridian.”
Julian’s expression changed.
That was the answer she needed.
Arthur had approved illegal cargo.
But Julian had ordered the structural damage concealed before departure.
He had caused the disaster.
Victoria turned toward him.
“You said no one would be hurt.”
Julian laughed.
“You always were stupid.”
Then he raised his weapon toward Victoria.
Celeste moved first.
She struck his arm as the gun fired.
The bullet hit a steel support.
Admiral Reed’s team flooded the hold.
Victoria dropped her weapon.
Julian ran toward the upper deck carrying the document case.
Eleanor shouted for the first time.
“There is a bomb on the ship!”
Everyone froze.
Julian smiled from the stairway.
“If I lose Ashford Maritime, no one gets the evidence.”
May you like
Then the countdown began.
Three minutes.
