Chapter 18 - The Aunt Who Kept the Door Open

Aunt Celia existed in my family as one faded photograph and a sad story. Dad said she died young after leaving town. We never visited a grave. He grew quiet whenever I asked about her.

At Ben's house, Mara Holloway sat beneath a blanket, supported by her caregiver. She had traveled with a medical escort after hearing that Graham was still free. Her voice was thin but sharp.

"Celia Torres drove the van," she told me. "She helped Sofia get Mateo out through the old freight passage. The plan was for Sofia to come back for you when it was safe."

"And Celia?"

"She stayed behind to delay the guards. Graham blamed her for everything."

Mara held out a sealed envelope. Inside was a photograph of Celia, older than I'd ever seen her, standing beside a library bookshelf. On the back she had written: I DID WHAT I COULD. I WISH I HAD DONE MORE.

"Where is she now?" I asked.

"She was placed in a witness-protection program through a separate investigation. I don't know her current name. I only know she contacted me last month, worried about Graham buying Bellwether."

Katherine warned us not to chase protected identities. Instead, she asked the federal team to pass a message through official channels. I wrote a short note: I'm Elena. I know you helped my mom. Thank you. If you're safe and want to speak, I'd like that.

We waited through the afternoon. I read three birthday letters from Mom and stopped when they became too painful. In one, she remembered my seventh birthday, when I insisted the cake candles be blown out by all three of us. In another, she wrote about watching the ocean from a quiet town where no one knew her name.

By evening, investigators confirmed that Graham had attempted to leave the state using a chartered aircraft. The flight never departed. Agents detained him at the airport on charges related to witness intimidation and obstruction, pending further proceedings.

For a moment, I believed the danger was finally passing.

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Then Katherine called with news that made my stomach drop.

Graham had offered to cooperate. In exchange, he said he would reveal the name of the person who ordered Sofia's death.