Chapter 13 - SEVENTY-TWO HOURS
Victor Vandermark moved openly.
His bank issued final notice.
If the harbor debt was not cured within seventy-two hours, collateral rights would trigger.
At the same time, three newspapers received anonymous reports suggesting Moretti Harbor Holdings was insolvent.
Employees began calling.
Suppliers demanded guarantees.
Investors panicked.
Celeste sent one message.
MARRY ME FRIDAY.
SIGN THE CONSOLIDATION.
THIS ENDS.
I stared at the screen.
Then I showed Miriam.
“She’s finally saying it plainly.”
“Not plainly enough for a courtroom.”
So I answered.
COME TO THE ESTATE TOMORROW.
ALONE.
Celeste arrived at noon.
She entered the conservatory where she had attacked Delia.
I had repaired none of the broken glass paneling.
I wanted her to remember.
“You look tired,” she said.
“You look confident.”
“I’m offering you a way out.”
“You mean a marriage.”
“I mean survival.”
I poured coffee.
“No lawyers?”
“Just us.”
She smiled.
“Finally.”
Celeste told me Victor could save the harbor.
The merger could stabilize credit.
Roman could repair the board.
The scandal could disappear.
All I had to do was sign.
“And Delia?”
“She gets paid.”
“And Theo?”
For the first time, Celeste’s expression froze completely.
That was the confirmation I needed.
“You know about him.”
She recovered quickly.
“I know what Delia claims.”
“No.”
I leaned forward.
“You knew before last night.”
Celeste stood.
“This conversation is over.”
I did not stop her.
Because underneath the table was a recording device authorized by my attorney under Illinois law for a conversation to which I was a party.
Miriam listened afterward.
“Still circumstantial.”
“It’s enough to frighten her.”
“Which means?”
“She’ll make a mistake.”
Miriam looked at me.
“And if she doesn’t?”
May you like
I looked toward my mother’s room.
“Then I will.”
