Chapter 5 - THE FIANCÉE WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
Celeste arrived at Vale House the next morning with two attorneys.
She wore a cream coat, black gloves, and a carefully composed expression.
Gideon met her in the library.
Nathan remained by the door.
Celeste looked around.
“You've turned the house into a police station.”
Gideon said nothing.
She sighed.
“Gideon, I know you're angry.”
“Angry?”
She folded her hands.
“What happened to the maid was unfortunate.”
“Unfortunate.”
“Yes.”
“You locked her outside in a blizzard.”
Celeste's expression tightened.
“I didn't know the storm would become so severe.”
“You checked the door twice.”
She froze.
Gideon continued.
“You watched her collapse.”
Her eyes flickered toward Nathan.
“That's a lie.”
“We have the footage.”
Silence.
Then Celeste leaned back.
“You're making a mistake.”
Gideon studied her.
“About what?”
“Choosing that woman over me.”
He laughed once.
Without humor.
“This isn't a competition.”
Celeste's eyes narrowed.
“You think she's innocent?”
Gideon said nothing.
“She came here under false pretenses.”
“I know.”
Celeste blinked.
“You know?”
“Yes.”
Her composure cracked.
“She was searching your house.”
“I know that too.”
Celeste stood.
“Then why are you protecting her?”
Gideon stepped closer.
“Because she didn't try to kill anyone.”
Celeste stared.
Then her expression changed.
A slow smile appeared.
“You really don't understand, do you?”
“Explain.”
She tilted her head.
“Your mother was going to destroy everything your father built.”
Gideon's blood ran cold.
“What did you say?”
Celeste smiled.
“She was sentimental. She thought exposing financial irregularities would somehow save the family.”
Gideon moved closer.
“Did you know what happened to her?”
Celeste's smile vanished.
“I didn't say that.”
“Did you?”
She looked toward her attorneys.
One stood immediately.
“This conversation is over.”
But Gideon was staring at Celeste.
“Answer me.”
She swallowed.
Then whispered:
“Your mother should have stayed out of business.”
Gideon felt the room tilt.
He had heard that phrase before.
His father used to say it whenever Eleanor challenged him.
Stay out of business.
Now Celeste was repeating it.
Gideon stepped back.
“Get out.”
Celeste's face hardened.
“You'll regret this.”
“Maybe.”
He looked toward Nathan.
“Escort them out.”
After she left, Gideon called Mara.
She answered from the hospital.
“Did you find the star?”
“No.”
Mara went silent.
Gideon continued.
“But I found something else.”
“What?”
“Proof Celeste knew about my mother's investigation.”
Mara swallowed.
“Then we're running out of time.”
Gideon frowned.
“Why?”
Her voice trembled.
“Because I just got a message.”
“From whom?”
“My father.”
Gideon stood.
“What did it say?”
May you like
Mara took a breath.
THEY FOUND ME. DON'T TRUST THE POLICE.
