Chapter 10 - Ethan’s Hangar
An eight-year-old technically owned the building where half the family’s secrets had been stored.
David almost laughed when Rebecca explained it.
“Not directly. Ethan’s trust owns MAB Holdings.”
“Which owns Hangar Three.”
“Yes.”
“And Celeste, as trustee, controls the company.”
“Until a court says otherwise.”
That was why Celeste had fought for family-office authority.
Hangar Three was more than real estate.
It was outside Bennett Aero’s direct ownership and inside Ethan’s trust structure.
A perfect place for Laura to hide something.
Rebecca filed an emergency petition in Delaware Chancery Court seeking removal or suspension of Celeste as trustee based on conflict of interest, self-dealing, and the documented assault on Ethan.
Celeste’s lawyers fought back.
They argued David was weaponizing a family dispute to seize trust assets.
Then Maya’s cabin footage entered the record.
The judge’s tone changed immediately.
Celeste was temporarily suspended from unilateral trust transactions pending a full hearing.
First major power reversal.
David could not control the trust either.
A professional temporary fiduciary was appointed.
That was fine with him.
What mattered was preserving Hangar Three.
They searched it with court authorization and an independent witness.
Behind old maintenance cabinets, they found Margaret’s initials carved into a wall panel.
Ethan pointed.
“It looks like the compass.”
He was right.
The compass face had an eight-point star.
The panel had the same pattern.
Behind it was a narrow steel compartment.
Empty.
David swore softly.
Rebecca examined the dust.
“Recently opened.”
“How recently?”
“Days, maybe weeks.”
Grant had accessed the hangar.
Celeste had attempted the crew locker.
Someone had been ahead of them again.
Maya found a grease-stained envelope caught behind the compartment.
Laura’s handwriting.
If this is empty, Grant found it. Do not assume Marcus has it.
Inside was a photograph of Grant Hollis meeting a man outside a Philadelphia bank.
Marcus Bennett.
Date: five months earlier.
Grant and Marcus were still working together after Laura went into hiding.
David called the federal authorities.
Until then, the investigation had largely involved state assault, trust litigation, and possible financial fraud.
The forged banking records, interstate transfers, and shell-company evidence created federal jurisdiction.
Special Agent Caroline Reed from the FBI’s financial-crimes unit met David and Rebecca.
She listened.
Then said:
“You understand we will investigate everyone.”
David looked at Celeste’s name on the evidence chart.
“Good.”
“Including you.”
“Good.”
“Including Laura.”
David hesitated.
Then nodded.
“Good.”
That answer mattered.
He was finally learning.
Agent Reed issued preservation requests and began coordinating subpoenas.
Grant did not return to work the next day.
His company phone was found inside his office.
His passport was gone.
Celeste called David.
“I didn’t help him leave.”
“I didn’t accuse you.”
“You were going to.”
“Yes.”
She almost smiled.
Then she said, “Marcus contacted me.”
“What does he want?”
“A meeting.”
“With whom?”
“You.”
“Where?”
“On the jet.”
David laughed without humor.
“Of course.”
“He says he will tell you where Laura went after Vermont.”
“Does he have the register?”
“He claims Grant stole it.”
David stared.
“And Marcus wants my help finding Grant.”
Celeste nodded.
“Why should I trust him?”
“You shouldn’t.”
“Why should I trust you?”
“You shouldn’t.”
For once, the answer was correct.
They arranged the meeting under FBI observation.
Marcus boarded N804TB at a private terminal outside Wilmington.
He looked older than the archival footage.
Tired.
Sharp.
The platinum watch was still on his wrist.
Ethan was not aboard.
David had refused.
Marcus sat in the seat where Laura had once sat.
“You have her compass,” he said.
“Yes.”
“She was always too sentimental.”
David’s expression hardened.
“Where is my wife?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then leave.”
Marcus did not move.
“Grant took her.”
David froze.
“When?”
“Seven weeks ago.”
“Proof?”
Marcus placed a phone on the table.
A photograph showed Laura being guided toward a black SUV outside the Vermont cottage.
Grant held her arm.
She looked furious.
Not helpless.
But unwilling.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I thought Grant would contact me.”
“Why?”
“He wanted the register.”
“And you wanted it too.”
“Yes.”
Marcus did not bother lying.
David pointed at the watch.
“My father gave you that.”
Marcus looked down.
“He gave me a threat disguised as a gift.”
“What does that mean?”
“The watch contained the account serial. Thomas wanted me to remember that if I exposed him, he could prove I helped create every structure.”
“So you took the blame.”
“I protected my wife.”
“And then spent years buying claims so you could profit from what Thomas stole.”
Marcus’s face hardened.
“I learned from the best.”
David leaned toward him.
“Where would Grant take Laura?”
Marcus looked at Celeste.
She looked away.
That movement told David something.
“What do you know?”
Celeste whispered, “There is another Bennett property.”
David stared.
“Where?”
Marcus answered.
“West Virginia.”
David had never heard of it.
Marcus continued.
“Your father bought an abandoned executive retreat through Northstar’s predecessor.”
“What is there?”
“A private airstrip.”
Celeste looked at David.
“And a records bunker.”
Marcus’s phone buzzed.
He read the message.
His face changed.
David saw fear.
“What?”
Marcus turned the screen.
A photograph.
Laura.
Sitting inside a concrete room.
Holding today’s newspaper.
Beside her was the missing leather partnership register.
May you like
The message read:
BRING THE WATCH AND THE COMPASS. OR SHE DISAPPEARS FOR REAL.
