Chapter 18 - What Silence Hid
Chloe dropped.
The dining-room window shattered.
A federal marksman's shot struck Vincent's gun hand.
He screamed and fell against the table.
Gabriel came through the side door with agents behind him.
Nora kicked the fallen gun away.
Beatrice did not move.
Vincent stared up at her, bleeding and stunned.
"You set me up."
Beatrice signed.
Chloe translated from the floor.
"She says yes."
Agents handcuffed him.
This time, nobody let him out of sight.
As he was dragged away, Vincent shouted at Gabriel.
"You think she saved you? She hated what your father made you!"
Gabriel looked at Beatrice.
She signed calmly.
He is right about that.
Gabriel almost laughed.
Later, while paramedics checked Nora and Chloe, Beatrice sat at Table 7.
The same table where nobody had listened to her the night before.
Gabriel sat beside her.
He raised his hands carefully.
Are you okay?
The grammar was rough.
The sign for okay was crooked.
Beatrice smiled anyway.
Yes.
Then she added:
Your accent is terrible.
Chloe laughed.
Gabriel looked at her. "What did she say?"
Beatrice shook her head.
Chloe smiled. "Confidential communication."
For a moment, the nightmare loosened its grip.
Then Dana Pierce entered holding a folder.
"Gabriel, we need to talk."
He stood.
Dana looked at Beatrice, then Chloe.
"The grand jury is moving fast. Vincent is facing murder, conspiracy, witness intimidation, and more."
Gabriel nodded.
"And me?"
May you like
Dana held his gaze.
"You are surrendering at nine tomorrow morning."
