Chapter 8: The Original Sin
The recordings inside the case were worse than anyone expected.
Arthur’s voice could be heard ordering executives to ignore structural defects, bribe inspectors, and remove anyone who threatened the company.
But another voice appeared repeatedly.
Margaret’s.
Celeste confronted her mother at the federal building.
Margaret did not deny it.
“I signed the payments.”
“You helped him.”
“I was afraid.”
“You let Eleanor disappear.”
Margaret collapsed into a chair.
Arthur had threatened to frame her for the financial crimes and take all four children away. She believed silence would keep them alive.
Instead, her silence had destroyed them slowly.
Celeste felt no satisfaction.
Only exhaustion.
Eleanor sat beside her, wrapped in a blanket.
She had spoken very little since the rescue.
Then she looked at Margaret.
“You visited me once.”
Margaret began crying.
“I wanted to bring you home.”
“You told me to forget my name.”
The room went still.
Margaret covered her face.
Celeste realized the truth.
Her mother had not simply failed to rescue Eleanor.
She had participated in erasing her identity.
Agent Hale entered with new evidence.
The designer who died in the car crash had left behind a son.
His name was Marcus Hale.
Celeste stared at the agent.
Arthur had murdered Hale’s father.
Hale had joined the investigation for personal reasons.
“You used me,” Celeste said.
“I followed evidence.”
“You never told me.”
“Because I knew you would not trust me.”
She stepped closer.
“I do not trust you now.”
Before Hale could respond, Admiral Reed entered.
The Navy had grounded all twelve Ashford vessels.
But one ship had ignored the order.
The Dominion Star was already at sea.
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It carried more than six hundred passengers.
And according to the recovered plans, its central support structure could fail within hours.
