Chapter 14 - The Serious Setback
David’s decision to leave the CEO role had been morally defensible.
Strategically, it was disastrous.
Evelyn moved within hours.
As board chair, she scheduled a vote to consider “strategic alternatives,” including sale of three airport properties and refinancing of Bennett Aero debt.
Those were exactly the transactions Grant’s consortium needed.
Rebecca filed for emergency injunctive relief.
The court declined to halt a board process before an actual transaction existed.
“Corporate law does not stop boards from considering options because one shareholder suspects conspiracy,” Rebecca explained.
David paced.
“So we wait until they sign something?”
“We gather proof.”
“I’m tired of gathering proof while people move faster.”
“That impatience is how your family created half this mess.”
He stopped.
Again, she was right.
Agent Reed could not simply arrest Evelyn based on Nora’s statement and unsigned copies.
The FBI needed corroboration.
Laura remained missing after the marina meeting.
Grant remained missing.
Marcus claimed he had not seen Laura.
Celeste had not yet formally confessed.
Then another blow landed.
A family-court attorney representing Celeste filed an emergency motion concerning Ethan.
David stared at the filing.
“She wants custody?”
“Temporary protective oversight,” Rebecca said.
“Those are nicer words for custody.”
Celeste alleged David had exposed Ethan to a dangerous financial investigation, brought him into adult evidence searches, and permitted him to remain aboard an aircraft during confrontation with Celeste.
David looked ashamed.
“She’s not entirely wrong.”
Rebecca watched him.
“You did involve Ethan too much.”
“He was already involved.”
“That does not remove your responsibility.”
David sat.
For weeks, he had thought of himself as Ethan’s protector.
But Ethan had listened to threats, watched adults argue about fraud, accompanied them to Hangar Three, and solved clues his mother had intentionally left.
David had allowed necessity to become justification.
The judge did not remove Ethan from him.
But she ordered David to stop involving the child in investigative activity and appointed a child therapist.
Celeste’s visitation remained suspended because of the assault allegation.
David technically won.
He felt like he had failed.
That evening Ethan sat on the apartment couch.
“Am I in trouble?”
“No.”
“Then why do I have to talk to a therapist?”
“Because adults made you carry too much.”
Ethan looked at him.
“Mom gave me the compass.”
“I know.”
“She wanted me to help.”
“She wanted you to be safe.”
“Same thing.”
“No.”
David sat beside him.
“That’s something I should have understood earlier.”
Ethan looked angry.
“If you stop me from helping, you’ll never find her.”
David’s chest tightened.
“That is not your job.”
“It is my mom.”
“Yes.”
“And Aunt Celeste hurt me because of it.”
“Yes.”
“So I’m already in it.”
David had no perfect answer.
He took Ethan’s hand.
“You get to know the truth. You do not have to carry the investigation.”
Ethan looked away.
“Mom carried it.”
“And look what it cost her.”
The words came out harder than David intended.
Ethan’s eyes filled.
David immediately regretted them.
“I didn’t mean—”
“Yes, you did.”
Ethan went to his room and closed the door.
Another consequence.
Later that night, Celeste called.
“I heard about the order.”
“Congratulations.”
“I didn’t file it to hurt you.”
“You filed it against me.”
“I filed it because you were turning Ethan into Laura.”
David went silent.
Celeste continued.
“She believed if she could just collect enough evidence, she could control the outcome.”
David almost laughed.
“That sounds like you.”
“Yes.”
The admission surprised him.
“That is why we hated each other at the end.”
“You and Laura?”
“She saw what she was becoming.”
Celeste’s voice dropped.
“She told me we were both teaching Ethan that love meant carrying adult secrets.”
David looked toward his son’s closed bedroom.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
“Grant contacted Evelyn.”
“How do you know?”
“He contacted me too.”
“What does he want?”
“The compass.”
“Why?”
“The physical serial is needed for the escrow release.”
“He can photograph it.”
“No. The release protocol requires the original token to be presented.”
“Where?”
“A private trustee meeting.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow.”
David stood.
“Where?”
“Bennett Aero headquarters.”
He stared.
“Evelyn is going to use the board meeting as cover.”
“Yes.”
“And Marcus?”
“He has the watch.”
“Grant needs both.”
“Yes.”
“Then Marcus is coming.”
“Yes.”
David felt the pieces converge.
Final confrontation approaching.
“What about Laura?”
Celeste’s voice changed.
“Grant says he has her.”
David went cold.
“Proof?”
“He sent me audio.”
She played it.
Laura’s voice:
“David, do not give them the register.”
Then a male voice ordered:
“Again.”
Laura said nothing.
The recording ended.
David gripped the table.
Celeste whispered:
“He wants the compass, the watch, and board approval for the asset sale.”
“What happens if he gets them?”
“He controls enough debt and escrow claims to break Bennett Aero apart.”
“And if he doesn’t?”
Celeste swallowed.
“He says Laura does not leave.”
David stared into the dark window.
The company.
The money.
The properties.
All of it had finally become secondary.
“Tell Agent Reed.”
Celeste was silent.
“Celeste.”
“If I do, Grant releases everything proving my role.”
David’s voice became cold.
“Then this is your last chance.”
“To do what?”
“To decide whether you are still protecting yourself.”
He ended the call.
Five minutes later, Agent Reed called.
“Celeste Bennett just contacted us.”
David closed his eyes.
May you like
“What did she say?”
“She wants to cooperate.”
