Chapter 18 - Arthur Runs
Arthur’s private jet had not left the airport.
His passport had not been scanned.
His mansion was empty except for staff.
But thirty million dollars had moved from a Whitmore account to three overseas entities in less than an hour.
“He’s running,” Naomi said.
Celeste shook her head. “No. He thinks running looks guilty. He’ll hide somewhere he considers his.”
Rosa knew before Celeste finished speaking.
“The old Mercer warehouse.”
Whitmore Development had sealed the warehouse months earlier. It sat at the edge of the block scheduled for demolition.
Police surrounded it before sunset.
Arthur was inside.
So were boxes of financial records.
And a gas can.
Celeste arrived despite police ordering her to stay away.
Through a broken side window, they could see orange light flickering.
“He’s burning records,” Naomi said.
Rosa grabbed Celeste’s sleeve. “Don’t go in there.”
“That building has the vendor lease archives.”
“The deeds are safe.”
“There are names in there. Families. Proof of what he did.”
Before anyone could stop her, Celeste slipped past a distracted officer and ran through a side door.
“Damn it,” Rosa muttered.
Mateo grabbed a fire extinguisher and went after her.
Inside, smoke curled across the ceiling.
Arthur stood beside a metal barrel filled with burning papers.
Celeste coughed. “Dad!”
He turned.
For once, Arthur Whitmore looked old.
“You shouldn’t have come.”
“Put the papers down.”
“It’s over.”
“Yes.”
He laughed bitterly. “You think Rosa won? You think those vendors know how to run valuable property? In five years they’ll sell it to someone like me.”
“Then that will be their choice.”
Arthur stared at her.
“You gave up your family for strangers.”
Celeste’s eyes filled. “Mom was my family.”
Arthur’s face collapsed for a second.
Then a burning file slid from the barrel and landed near spilled fuel.
Flame raced across the concrete.
May you like
Mateo shouted from the doorway, “Move!”
The fire jumped between Celeste and the exit.
