Chapter 6 - THE FLIGHT THAT NEVER LEFT
At 9:52 p.m., Ethan learned there were reservations for three passengers.
Celeste Vale.
Sophie Cole.
Richard Mason.
All three were booked in first class to Zurich.
The tickets had been purchased nine days earlier.
The passport Sophie supposedly needed for a “school application” had been secretly removed from Ethan's safe.
Marcus found two suitcases already loaded inside Celeste's Range Rover.
One contained Celeste's clothes.
The second contained Sophie's clothes, medication, favorite books, and birth certificate.
The third belonged to Richard.
There was no misunderstanding left.
There was only intent.
Ethan entered the library where Richard was being held by estate security.
Richard sat comfortably on the sofa.
“You can't detain me indefinitely.”
“I don't need indefinitely.”
Ethan placed the itinerary on the table.
“I need until the police arrive.”
Richard's expression changed.
“You called them?”
“Yes.”
Celeste appeared in the doorway under guard.
“You promised we could explain.”
“I promised nothing.”
She looked toward Ethan.
“You think Sophie was being kidnapped.”
“She was locked in a suitcase.”
“I was trying to stop her from running outside.”
Ethan stared at her.
Celeste's voice cracked for the first time.
“She panicked.”
“So you zipped her into luggage?”
“It was for seconds.”
Sophie had been pounding long enough for Ethan to hear her from the entrance hall.
Ethan felt anger rise but forced it down.
He wanted facts.
Not revenge.
“What happens in Zurich?”
Celeste said nothing.
Richard stood.
“Don't.”
She looked at him.
Richard's warning revealed more than he intended.
Ethan caught it.
“You planned this together.”
Celeste's eyes filled with tears.
For months, Ethan might have responded to those tears.
Not tonight.
“You don't understand what Claire did.”
Ethan's voice dropped.
“Then explain it.”
“She destroyed everything.”
Richard snapped.
“Celeste.”
“No.”
Celeste turned on him.
“You said the transfer would protect us.”
Richard's face went rigid.
Celeste continued.
“You said if Sophie signed the residency forms, the trust could be moved.”
Ethan stepped closer.
“Sophie is six.”
“A guardian signs.”
“Which guardian?”
Celeste looked at him.
The answer was obvious.
She had planned to present herself as Sophie's legal guardian in Switzerland.
“But you're not her guardian.”
Celeste gave a bitter laugh.
“Not yet.”
The front doors opened.
Two Connecticut State Police investigators entered with Laura.
As they began separating everyone for statements, Marcus approached Ethan.
“We found something in Richard's suitcase.”
“What?”
Marcus handed him a document.
It was a petition prepared for a Connecticut probate court.
PETITION FOR TEMPORARY GUARDIANSHIP.
Petitioner:
Celeste Vale.
Reason:
Father allegedly mentally unstable following wife's death.
Attached were medical letters describing Ethan as emotionally impaired.
Ethan recognized the signature at the bottom.
May you like
His own psychiatrist.
Someone had been building a case to take Sophie from him long before that night's flight.
