Chapter 6 - Come Alone

Adrian read Celeste's message twice. The first time he felt fear. The second time he felt ashamed of it.

"She wants me alone," he said.

"She wants you without witnesses," Iris replied. "There's a difference."

"My father was a decent man."

"So was mine," Marisol said. "Decent people still end up in prison when rich people write the story."

Adrian had no answer. He called Celeste on speaker instead. "Put the clock somewhere safe. We'll talk in the lobby."

Her laugh was brittle. "You're taking orders from the housekeepers now?"

"I'm listening to the people who keep this hotel running. You should try it."

"Your father would hate you for this."

"Then he can get in line."

The call went dead. For a heartbeat Adrian felt strong. Then his stomach dropped. Celeste knew exactly where to wound him, because for six months he had handed her the map.

They returned to the main floor. Firefighters were moving guests outside. An officer had cordoned off the nearest corridor. Guests huddled beneath the lobby's marble arches, holding expensive coats over evening gowns. Someone had already posted video of Iris blocking Celeste's slap. Without the beginning, the clip looked like a martial-arts fighter threatening an unarmed woman.

Celeste stood near the front desk, wrapped in a fur stole, crying for the cameras. "She threatened to kill me. Adrian won't protect me."

Iris said nothing. She could see the tearless focus in Celeste's blue eyes.

A police officer approached. "Are you Iris Navarro?"

"Yes."

"We've had a complaint of assault. I'd like to speak with you."

"You'll get her full cooperation," Adrian said, "after you view the complete footage and hear why our fire doors were locked."

The officer nodded toward the screen where a security feed was loading. A frame showed Iris's boot near Celeste's face. The next frame vanished into static.

Holt stood at the security console, one hand hovering over the keyboard.

"That's interesting," Iris said. "The video disappears right when the maid walks in."

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Ava Park stepped up beside them. "Mine doesn't."

She raised her phone. On the screen, Celeste's second kick had just begun.