Chapter 10 - THE MAN WHO REFUSED TO BECOME HIS PAST
Rafe wanted to destroy Martin Kessler.
The thought came so quickly that it frightened him.
Fourteen years earlier, he would have handled the problem personally.
A warehouse.
A locked door.
Men who knew not to ask questions.
But now there were two five-year-olds sleeping upstairs.
And Audrey was sitting at his kitchen table with red eyes, holding a cup of tea she hadn't touched.
They had moved temporarily into a secured apartment Rafe maintained near the hotel, after consulting the police and ensuring Audrey remained free to leave whenever she wished.
Rafe stood near the window.
His hands were clenched.
Daniel Cross, his longtime security director, approached.
“Boss.”
Rafe didn't turn.
“Where is Kessler?”
“His attorney says he's willing to speak with investigators.”
Rafe closed his eyes.
“Good.”
Daniel hesitated.
“That's all?”
Rafe turned.
“What did you expect?”
Daniel said nothing.
Rafe looked toward the kitchen.
Then said quietly:
“I know what I would've done years ago.”
Daniel nodded.
“So do I.”
Rafe swallowed.
“But those children need a man who comes home. Not one who disappears into a cell because he couldn't control his anger.”
Daniel studied him.
Then smiled faintly.
“That's new.”
Rafe nodded.
“Yes.”
The investigation moved quickly.
Marissa Cole was arrested.
Evidence linked her attempted abduction to the private contractor.
Financial records connected the contractor to Celeste's business accounts.
Martin Kessler cooperated with investigators.
And the true purpose of the Whitmore agreement emerged.
Celeste had been using shell companies to conceal a scheme involving confidential property information and fraudulent financing.
The thirty-million-dollar deal would have provided access to records needed to support a much larger series of transactions.
Rafe's cancellation had threatened to expose the operation.
The threats against Audrey and the twins were intended to pressure him into signing.
When Grant learned the truth, he sat motionless in his attorney's office.
Celeste had used his company.
His name.
His marriage.
And his children.
He looked at Naomi Feld.
“I want to help.”
Naomi studied him.
“Then cooperate fully with investigators.”
Grant nodded.
“I will.”
That evening, he called Audrey.
She answered cautiously.
“Hello?”
His voice was rough.
“I'm sorry.”
Audrey closed her eyes.
“For what?”
A long silence.
Then Grant said:
“For leaving you. For believing Celeste. For not asking questions. For missing five years of their lives.”
Audrey stared at the wall.
Tears filled her eyes.
Grant continued.
“I know I can't fix it.”
“No,” she whispered.
“I know.”
He swallowed.
“But if you'll let me, I'd like to do better.”
Audrey took a breath.
“Then start by doing what's best for the children. Not what's best for your pride.”
Grant nodded.
May you like
“I will.”
For the first time in six years, she believed he might actually understand.
