Chapter 5 - THE LOCKED STUDY
Federal agents arrived within minutes.
They secured the ballroom, collected the attacker’s weapon, and began interviewing guests.
The elegant celebration became a crime scene.
Vivian sat alone at the honor table, staring at the strip of Celeste’s torn dress on the floor.
No one approached her.
The same guests who had laughed with her earlier now avoided her eyes.
Julian remained beside the investigators and performed the role of a concerned executive.
Celeste watched every movement he made.
He never asked whether Voss had survived.
He already knew the answer.
Arthur attempted to leave through the west corridor.
Celeste stopped him at the staircase.
“We need to talk.”
“I have nothing to say.”
“A dying man mentioned Mom.”
Arthur’s face tightened.
“Voss was a murderer.”
“He was also your employee.”
“Julian hired him.”
“Then why are you afraid of me?”
Arthur looked toward the agents.
“This discussion cannot happen here.”
Celeste followed him upstairs to the private wing.
They entered the study that had once belonged to Amelia.
Nothing had changed.
Her books still lined the shelves.
Her photograph still stood beside the fireplace.
Arthur locked the door.
“You need to end this investigation,” he said.
Celeste almost laughed.
“Nineteen sailors survived Graywater.”
“Twelve did not.”
“I carried one of them through a burning corridor while his uniform melted against his skin.”
Arthur flinched.
“Do not tell me to end this.”
“You don’t understand what you’re challenging.”
“I understand perfectly.”
“No, you understand war.”
Arthur’s voice dropped.
“This is something worse.”
He moved to Amelia’s portrait and pressed a hidden switch behind the frame.
A narrow compartment opened in the wall.
It was empty.
Arthur stared at it in disbelief.
“What was inside?” Celeste asked.
“A ledger.”
“What kind of ledger?”
Arthur sank into the leather chair.
“Your mother kept records of unauthorized contracts.”
“Contracts signed by whom?”
Arthur looked toward the locked door.
“Julian.”
A soft sound came from the hallway.
Someone had stepped on a loose floorboard.
Celeste motioned for Arthur to remain silent.
She opened the door quickly.
The corridor was empty.
On the carpet lay a single white envelope.
Her name was written across it in Amelia Warren’s handwriting.
Celeste opened it.
Inside was a photograph of Pier Nine.
May you like
A date had been written on the back.
It was tomorrow’s date.
