Chapter 8
Police arrived before midnight.
Not the family-friendly officers Lucille had hosted at charity dinners.
Federal agents.
Nora Vale had not only called me.
She had called them too.
Agent Mara Chen entered the foyer with a warrant.
Lucille’s face changed when she saw the seal.
That was the first time I truly believed we might win.
Not survive.
Win.
Agent Chen took the album, the medical file, the briefcase, the flash drive, and the trust documents.
She spoke to Emmett gently.
“Do you feel safe talking to me later with your dad nearby?”
Emmett nodded, then changed his mind and hid behind me.
Agent Chen did not push.
“That is okay,” she said. “Later.”
I respected her for that.
Lucille demanded her lawyer.
Victor said he was her lawyer.
Agent Chen looked at him.
“Not anymore. You are a person of interest.”
Celina tried to slip away.
Isaac blocked her.
She snapped, “I did nothing.”
Emmett whispered from behind me.
“She told Grandma where Mom hid the red album.”
Celina froze.
Everyone looked at my son.
I knelt.
“How do you know?”
His eyes filled.
“I heard her say it after Mom died. She said she looked everywhere but couldn’t find the little key.”
Celina’s face drained.
Lucille said, “He is confused.”
Emmett stepped forward.
For once, his voice did not shake.
“No. I remember.”
Those three words were stronger than any shout.
Agent Chen took Celina aside.
Lucille watched Emmett like he had betrayed her.
But he had not betrayed anyone.
He had simply stopped being small enough for their lies.
When the agents led Victor out for questioning, he looked at me.
“I am sorry,” he said.
May you like
I stared back.
“You are late.”
