Chapter 19 - THE NAME ENGRAVED IN METAL|
The plate was taken to a state investigator before sunrise.
Gideon insisted on handing it over personally. He did not want it placed in a private vault, passed through a lawyer, or hidden behind another promise. For the first time in his life, he wanted the evidence beyond the reach of his family.
Camille went with him.
Étienne remained under protection at a secure location. Tobias stayed with him, unwilling to leave after the years of guilt he carried over his part in the betrayal.
The investigator, Special Agent Rebecca Sloan, examined the plate and compared its markings with the shipping records recovered from the archive.
“Someone engraved Ferraro's name deliberately,” she said.
“Can you prove it wasn't Gideon's signature?” Camille asked.
“Not from the plate alone. But the dates matter. This entry was added after the original transfer. We can compare the engraving with the other marks and test the metal.”
Gideon stood near the window.
“Who had access to the plate?”
“Your father, Mercer, and possibly Salvatore.”
“And Adrian.”
Agent Sloan nodded.
“We'll need to interview all of them.”
“Mercer is missing,” Gideon said.
“We know.”
Camille looked at the investigator.
“Preston Whitfield may have information about Mercer.”
Agent Sloan checked her notes.
“He's recovering from his injuries. We've already spoken with him.”
“Did he tell you about Victor Sloane?”
“He did. Sloane has been under investigation for years.”
Gideon turned.
“Then why is he still free?”
“Because every witness who could connect him to the murders either disappeared or changed their story. We have the documents now. We need him alive and willing to testify.”
A call came through on the agent's phone.
She listened, then looked at Gideon.
“Your cousin Adrian has agreed to cooperate.”
Gideon gave a short, humorless laugh.
“Of course he has.”
“He says Mercer arranged the forged signature. He also claims Sloane has the original contract authorizing the sale of the stolen cargo.”
“Where is it?”
“He won't say until he has an immunity agreement.”
Gideon looked at Camille.
“Don't give him one.”
Agent Sloan nodded.
“We won't make promises before we know what he's offering.”
Later that afternoon, Camille visited Preston in the hospital.
He looked smaller in the bed, stripped of the tailored suits and polished confidence that had once seemed inseparable from him.
He saw her and turned his face toward the window.
“I didn't expect you to come.”
“I didn't come for you.”
He gave a faint nod.
“I know.”
Camille stood near the foot of the bed.
“Did you know Mercer was involved?”
“Not until after the auction. He had been using my firm's client files to track Ferraro's old accounts.”
“Why did you help him?”
Preston swallowed.
“Because I was desperate. I thought I could get my clients back if I gave him something useful.”
“You gave him my father's name.”
“I didn't know he was alive.”
“You knew enough to put people in danger.”
“I know.”
For once, he did not make an excuse.
He looked at her.
“I really am sorry, Camille.”
She considered the apology.
“I hope you become someone who doesn't need to humiliate people to feel important.”
Preston lowered his eyes.
“I don't know how to do that.”
“Then start by telling the truth.”
He gave the investigators everything he knew.
That evening, Gideon received a call from Tobias.
Mercer had been found.
He was at a private marina outside the city, preparing to leave Louisiana.
But he wasn't alone.
Victor Sloane was with him.
And they had a hostage.
Camille's father.
Gideon looked at the phone.
“Get the investigators there.”
Tobias's voice tightened.
“We can't wait. Sloane says he'll kill Étienne if he sees anyone approaching.”
Camille stepped closer.
“Tell him I want to speak to my father.”
Gideon shook his head.
“No.”
“He'll listen to me.”
“He may use you.”
“Then don't let him.”
Gideon looked at her for a long moment.
May you like
Finally, he took her hand.
“We do this together. But this time, we end it.”
