Chapter 15 - The Trap at Blackstone Harbor.
The statement changed the investigation.
Richard was no longer merely a financial fugitive.
He was considered an immediate threat to Sophie.
Federal agencies circulated his photograph nationally.
Airports were monitored.
Ports were alerted.
Private aircraft operators received warnings.
Richard still did not run.
Daniel had predicted that correctly.
Instead, Richard contacted Celeste.
Investigators were monitoring her phone.
The call lasted forty-two seconds.
“You betrayed me.”
Celeste remained calm.
“It’s over, Richard.”
“It’s over when I say.”
“You can’t control everyone anymore.”
Richard laughed.
“You sound like Amelia.”
Celeste’s face tightened.
“What do you want?”
“The microfilm.”
“Police have it.”
“I know.”
“Then why call me?”
“Because Ethan has something else.”
Celeste glanced toward the detectives.
“What?”
“The original option agreement.”
Richard continued.
“Bring it to Blackstone Harbor tomorrow night.”
“I don’t have it.”
“Get it.”
“Why would Ethan give it to me?”
“Because you’re going to tell him I have Sophie.”
Celeste went pale.
Richard ended the call.
Sophie was safe in federal protection.
Richard could not have her.
Unless someone inside protection had been compromised.
Agents immediately verified Sophie’s location.
She was secure.
The threat was a bluff.
Ethan saw an opportunity.
Richard wanted the original option agreement badly enough to expose himself.
Investigators planned a controlled exchange.
Celeste would carry a duplicate.
Ethan insisted on being nearby.
Agents objected.
He refused to stay away.
Blackstone Harbor was an old marina closed for winter renovations.
Rain fell hard that night.
Celeste walked alone toward the pier carrying a waterproof envelope.
Hidden agents surrounded the area.
Ethan watched from inside an unmarked vehicle.
At 10:18, Richard appeared.
He wore a dark coat and baseball cap.
He approached Celeste.
“Where is it?”
She held up the envelope.
“Where is Sophie?”
Richard smiled.
“You always were a terrible liar.”
Celeste stiffened.
“You never had her.”
“No.”
“Then this is over.”
Richard grabbed her wrist.
Agents began moving.
Richard saw them.
He pulled Celeste against him.
For one terrifying second, Ethan thought he had a weapon.
Instead Richard shoved Celeste away and ran toward the docks.
Agents chased him.
Richard jumped onto a small motorboat hidden beneath a tarp.
The engine started.
He accelerated into the harbor.
A patrol boat pursued.
Rain reduced visibility.
Richard’s boat disappeared behind a stone breakwater.
Minutes later, officers found it drifting empty.
There was blood on the side rail.
No Richard.
Divers searched the water.
Nothing.
The coastline was sealed.
Still nothing.
By dawn, news outlets reported that Richard Vale might have drowned.
Daniel did not believe it.
“Richard survives.”
“He always has.”
Three days passed.
No body surfaced.
Malcolm’s lawyers immediately distanced him from Richard.
Malcolm returned to court demanding control of Cole Industries.
Then federal prosecutors made their move.
They charged Malcolm Pierce with conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, obstruction of justice, and bribery-related offenses.
Agents arrested him at his office.
Cameras captured the moment.
The man who had controlled everyone for decades walked out in handcuffs.
Ethan watched from home with Sophie.
“Is that the bad man?”
Sophie asked.
Ethan chose his words carefully.
“That is a man who made many bad choices.”
“Like Celeste?”
“Yes.”
“Like Richard?”
“Yes.”
Sophie leaned against him.
“Is it over?”
Ethan wished he could say yes.
“Almost.”
That evening, a package arrived at the federal safe house.
No return address.
Inside was the stolen music box.
It was empty.
Beneath it lay a note.
MALCOLM WAS NEVER THE LAST SECRET.
Ethan turned the paper over.
There was an address.
A house in Greenwich.
Nora recognized it.
“That belonged to Amelia.”
Ethan frowned.
“Amelia never owned a house in Greenwich.”
Nora shook her head.
“Not your Amelia.”
Ethan stared at her.
“What does that mean?”
May you like
Nora whispered.
“Her mother.”
