Chapter 12 - THE TRAP INSIDE THE GALA
Tomorrow night was the Vale Foundation's annual charity gala.
Eight hundred guests.
Politicians.
Investors.
Media.
Most of the board.
Simon insisted the event proceed.
That told Adrian everything.
“He wants a stage,” Rebecca said.
“So do I.”
“You're not seriously attending.”
“I am.”
Thomas objected immediately.
“Maya isn't.”
“No.”
Adrian agreed.
“She stays under federal protection.”
Maya crossed her arms.
“Everyone keeps deciding that.”
“You're twelve.”
“And everyone keeps needing things I noticed.”
Thomas gave Adrian a look that said good luck.
Adrian crouched slightly so he was at Maya's eye level.
“You saved me.”
“I know.”
“You saved evidence.”
“I know.”
“You helped us find Simon's connection.”
“I know.”
“And because you did all of that, Simon knows you're dangerous to him.”
Maya's confidence softened.
Adrian continued.
“Bravery isn't standing where someone can hurt you just because you're not afraid.”
She looked down.
“Sometimes bravery is letting other people protect you.”
Thomas watched him carefully.
Perhaps surprised the billionaire finally understood the concept himself.
Maya reluctantly agreed.
The plan for the gala had three layers.
Julian would tell Simon that Adrian planned to publicly accuse him.
Celeste would pretend she was ready to finalize the trust transfer in exchange for immunity.
Adrian would appear unstable enough to encourage Simon to move.
Rebecca and federal investigators would monitor everything.
It was risky.
But Simon had spent fifteen years surviving by making other people commit the visible crimes.
Adrian needed him to act personally.
At 6:45 p.m. the next evening, Lake Forest's most powerful people entered the mansion.
Champagne flowed.
A string quartet played.
Television crews waited outside.
Simon arrived smiling.
Adrian greeted him personally.
“You look well,” Simon said.
“So do you.”
Simon leaned closer.
“I assumed you'd be in a hospital by now.”
Adrian smiled.
“I assumed you'd be in handcuffs.”
They separated.
Celeste appeared in a black evening gown.
Adrian watched Simon notice her.
Then Julian.
Then Victor Raines entering through a side corridor wearing security credentials that should have been revoked.
Adrian's pulse changed.
“Rebecca.”
Her voice came through his hidden earpiece.
“I see him.”
“Police?”
“Moving.”
“No. Not yet.”
Victor entered the west hallway.
Adrian followed at a distance.
The corridor led toward the private office wing.
Celeste intercepted Simon near the library.
“You promised my brother's file would disappear.”
Simon smiled.
“Your brother has been dead fifteen years.”
“The evidence isn't.”
“Then perhaps your husband shouldn't have found it.”
“So you knew.”
“I know everything that happens in this house.”
Celeste held his eyes.
“Not everything.”
She moved away.
Simon didn't follow.
Instead he touched his cuff.
A signal.
Adrian saw Victor appear at the far end.
Then all the lights went out.
Guests gasped.
Emergency lights activated.
Adrian heard Rebecca.
“We lost camera feed.”
A shot cracked somewhere upstairs.
People screamed.
Adrian ran.
Not toward Simon.
Toward the east staircase.
Because Thomas and Maya had been moved to a federal safe house fifteen miles away.
At least that was the plan.
But when Adrian reached his study, the door stood open.
On his desk sat Maya's blue notebook.
He froze.
Rebecca's voice came through.
“Adrian?”
He picked up the notebook.
A note had been placed inside.
YOU SHOULD HAVE KEPT HER OUT OF THIS.
Adrian's blood turned cold.
Then a familiar small voice came from behind him.
“Mr. Vale?”
He spun around.
Maya stood in the doorway.
Adrian almost shouted.
“What are you doing here?”
She looked terrified.
“Two agents came to move us.”
“Where's your father?”
“I don't know.”
Adrian grabbed his earpiece.
“Rebecca, find Thomas now.”
The connection died.
Maya whispered, “The agents weren't agents.”
Adrian shut the office door.
“How did you escape?”
“I used the irrigation tunnel.”
Of course she did.
“Did anyone follow you?”
“I don't think so.”
Adrian looked at the notebook.
Then at the dark hallway.
The gala had never been the trap for Simon.
It was Simon's trap for them.
May you like
And somewhere inside Adrian's mansion, Thomas Brooks had disappeared.
Again.
