Chapter 13 - THE LAST BETRAYAL
Victor Sloane was arrested three days later.
He had attempted to cross into Canada using a false passport.
Arthur Bellamy remained missing.
Roman testified before a federal grand jury.
He described Greybridge's financial operations, his father's criminal partnerships, and the years he had spent trying to separate legitimate businesses from the network's illegal activities.
He admitted his own wrongdoing.
He did not excuse it.
Tessa watched him leave the courthouse beneath a storm of camera flashes.
Reporters shouted questions.
“Mr. Bellamy, are you cooperating to avoid prison?”
“Did your family order the Project Seventeen deaths?”
“Is your relationship with Tessa Monroe a publicity strategy?”
Roman stopped.
Tessa froze.
He looked toward the reporters.
“Miss Monroe is not responsible for my choices.”
Then he continued walking.
That evening, Tessa received a call from Celeste.
They hadn't spoken since the Marlowe Room.
“Owen is recovering,” Celeste said.
“I'm glad.”
“He told me what happened.”
Tessa waited.
Celeste's voice trembled.
“I owe you an apology.”
“You don't owe me anything.”
“Yes, I do. I nearly helped destroy your life.”
“You were trying to save your brother.”
“That doesn't make everything I did right.”
Tessa understood that better than she wanted to.
Before hanging up, Celeste said something strange.
“Roman doesn't know about the second ledger.”
Tessa frowned.
“What second ledger?”
“The one Arthur kept.”
Celeste lowered her voice.
“He gave it to someone Roman trusts.”
“Who?”
A noise sounded behind Celeste.
Then the call ended.
Tessa immediately called Daniel.
No answer.
She tried again.
Voicemail.
Her stomach tightened.
An hour later, Roman arrived at her apartment.
He looked shaken.
“Daniel's missing.”
Tessa stared at him.
“What?”
“His car was found near the river.”
Tessa remembered the black emergency phone Daniel had given her.
She retrieved it from her kitchen drawer.
A new message appeared.
You were right to notice the men in the restaurant.
Another message followed.
Now notice the man standing behind Roman.
Tessa slowly lifted her eyes.
In the reflection of the dark kitchen window, she saw a figure standing in the hallway.
Arthur Bellamy.
May you like
He held a gun.
And he was smiling.
