Chapter 19 - THE LAST PERSON IN THE HOUSE
Adrian tore through the mansion shouting Noah's name.
Emma ran to the nursery.
Gabriel checked the grounds.
Victoria stood in the hall, shaking.
"Who still has access?" Adrian demanded.
"Mrs. Finch."
The Walker housekeeper had worked there for thirty-two years.
She had raised Adrian after school.
She had helped Celeste prepare the nursery.
And she had never once appeared in anyone's suspicions.
They found her car missing.
She had left eight minutes earlier.
If Noah survives, keep Emily close.
Not safe.
Celeste had known danger could come from someone familiar.
Police tracked Mrs. Finch's car to the old family chapel.
Adrian arrived first.
Mrs. Finch stood beside him with a small knife in one hand and a file in the other.
"Put it down," Adrian said.
"I changed your diapers."
"Then don't make me remember you like this."
"Your grandfather saved my family."
Gabriel entered behind Adrian.
"With stolen money."
"It was his money by then."
Emma moved slowly toward Noah.
"Stop."
Noah cried, "Emma!"
Mrs. Finch held up the file.
It contained the last original Carver transfer.
"Pike said if this disappears, the case collapses."
"Pike lied to you too."
"No."
"The prosecutors already have copies."
"No."
"The trust is already active."
Mrs. Finch looked toward Victoria, who had entered the chapel behind them.
"Tell him."
Victoria said, "He's telling the truth."
Mrs. Finch broke.
Emma ran forward and grabbed Noah.
Police rushed in.
Mrs. Finch was taken away crying that she had only protected the Walker name.
"Emma stays?"
"I'm here."
Adrian looked at the file left on the pew.
Inside was one final handwritten page from Charles.
He read the last line aloud.
The Walker name is not worth saving if saving it requires us to become monsters.
Victoria began to cry.
Adrian looked at her.
May you like
Tomorrow, he would have to decide whether the Walker empire survived.
But for the first time, he knew exactly what kind of man he wanted Noah to see when he made that choice.
