Chapter 17 - THE TRAP
We gave Damian exactly what he wanted.
Panic.
I appeared on television announcing I would step away from Hale Holdings.
Markets reacted.
Damian's allies relaxed.
My attorney filed paperwork suggesting I might sell part of my stake.
Lydia publicly called me unstable.
Dad remained silent from home detention.
Mom disappeared from public view.
Everything looked broken.
Behind the scenes, Rebecca's team watched every account connected to Cross Atlantic.
At 8:03 p.m., Damian initiated the first transfer.
$40 million.
Then $85 million.
Then $210 million.
Each moved through companies tied directly to the old infrastructure trust.
Every transaction created a new trail.
At 9:20, Celeste entered Damian's office.
Her wire transmitted clearly.
"You're moving too quickly."
"I'm moving before Claire understands what she owns."
"She already understands."
"No."
Damian laughed.
"Claire spent six years believing I loved her."
My chest tightened.
Rebecca glanced at me.
I nodded.
Keep listening.
Celeste asked,
"Did you ever?"
Silence.
Then Damian answered.
"For a while, I liked the version of her that trusted me."
That hurt more than if he'd said no.
Because it was probably true.
Somewhere inside our marriage there had been affection.
But affection without respect becomes possession.
Celeste pushed him.
"And Evelyn?"
"She should have stayed dead."
"Did Malcolm ask you to help that night?"
A long silence.
Rebecca leaned toward the speaker.
Damian finally said,
"I moved the car."
My mother closed her eyes.
"What car?" Celeste asked.
"The backup vehicle."
"For Malcolm?"
"Stop asking questions you know the answers to."
It wasn't a full confession.
But it placed him in the operation.
Then Damian's voice changed.
"Give me your bag."
Celeste froze.
"Why?"
"Give it to me."
Rebecca stood.
"He's suspicious."
Rustling.
Then Damian said,
"What's this?"
The wire.
The feed exploded with noise.
Rebecca shouted orders.
Agents moved.
On the audio, Celeste screamed.
Not in pain.
"Damian, don't."
Then the feed cut.
We rushed toward Hale Holdings.
By the time we reached the building, Damian was gone.
So was Celeste.
His office windows were open.
A chair overturned.
On the desk was one message.
Written on company letterhead.
CLAIRE.
BRING THE ORIGINAL LEDGER TO THE OLD CROSS TERMINAL.
COME WITH EVELYN.
NO POLICE.
Mom read it.
Rebecca immediately said,
"Absolutely not."
I looked at Mom.
She looked at me.
Neither of us needed to speak.
May you like
Damian had spent years assuming fear would control me.
Tonight I intended to make that assumption expensive.
