Chapter 17 - CAMILA
Camila did not answer her phone.
No assumptions.
"Find facts."
Traffic cameras caught Camila's car.
At a gas station, the driver removed a wig.
Not Camila.
Celeste.
She had stolen Camila's badge and car after their meeting.
Drugged.
Alive.
The old Marcus would have accused her first.
That realization disgusted him.
Useful disgust.
Celeste drove south.
Federal agents tracked the car.
"Put her on video."
Celeste did.
Sofia was strapped safely in her car seat.
Unharmed.
"Why?"
"I need you to hear me before Renner finds me."
"Where are you?"
"He knows about the ledger."
"He's in custody."
Celeste laughed bitterly.
"No. The man at the clinic was Renner's brother."
"What?"
Celeste explained.
Paul Renner had an identical twin.
Peter.
A former anesthesiologist whose license was revoked.
They had used identity swapping for years.
The man arrested at the clinic was Peter.
Paul was still free.
"Where is Paul?"
"Coming for me."
"Then give Sofia back."
"I will."
"Now."
"I need protection."
"You bring the baby to a police station."
Celeste said, "No stations. Orchid has people inside."
That sounded paranoid.
Then the ledger made it plausible.
A church parking lot outside Trenton.
Police surrounded it quietly.
Celeste arrived.
Sofia in her arms.
Celeste held the baby tight.
"Don't come closer."
"Okay."
"You hate me."
"Yes."
"But Sofia goes first."
Celeste looked down at the baby.
Tears fell.
"I almost killed her."
"Yes."
"I don't know why I smiled."
"You wanted me to hurt."
Did not look away from Celeste.
She whispered, "Paul is going to kill Victor."
"Why?"
"Because Victor knows the names not written in the ledger."
Celeste did not resist.
Then Marcus's phone rang.
Victor.
His voice was weak.
"Marcus."
"Dad?"
May you like
A gunshot sounded.
Then Paul Renner said, "Now we finish the family."
