Chapter 4 - The Gala Trap
Beatrice organized a charity gala to raise money for Preston’s supposed treatment.
The event was held at a luxury hotel in Dallas. Wealthy donors arrived in limousines while reporters gathered outside.
Ethan attended because Hayes believed the family might discuss the medical operation.
A recording device was hidden inside Ethan’s watch.
Beatrice wore a blue gown and diamonds. Preston appeared briefly, looking pale beneath carefully applied makeup.
During dinner, Beatrice told guests that a mother would sacrifice anything for her child.
Ethan nearly stood up and exposed the lie.
Hayes’s warning stopped him.
Evidence first.
After the speeches, Ethan followed Preston through a private hallway.
He heard voices inside a service room.
Beatrice was speaking to Dr. Pierce.
“Sloane cannot wait another month,” she said.
“The matching results are unusually strong,” Pierce replied. “But the subject is healthy.”
“Accidents happen.”
Ethan’s entire body went cold.
Preston spoke next.
“You promised there would be another way.”
“There was,” Beatrice answered. “You failed to convince him to leave.”
“I warned him.”
“You made him suspicious.”
Ethan moved closer to the door.
His watch captured every word.
Pierce lowered his voice.
“The hospital cannot control the timing unless he arrives as a trauma patient.”
Beatrice responded without hesitation.
“Then make sure he arrives as one.”
A hotel employee entered the hallway, forcing Ethan to move away.
He immediately sent Hayes an emergency signal.
Hayes replied with two words.
Leave now.
Ethan walked toward the parking garage.
He noticed a man in a mechanic’s uniform standing beside his car. The hood was raised.
“Is there a problem?” Ethan asked.
The mechanic jumped.
“Battery warning, sir. Hotel security asked me to check it.”
“My battery is new.”
The man closed the hood quickly.
Ethan photographed him before he walked away.
Instead of entering the car, Ethan called Hayes.
The ranger instructed him not to drive.
A surveillance team was twenty minutes away.
Ethan waited inside the hotel lobby.
Beatrice approached him.
“You left the gala early.”
“I was tired.”
She placed a hand on his arm.
“You’ve been working too hard.”
Her touch felt unnatural.
Almost final.
“You should rest,” she continued. “Let Preston and me handle the company.”
Ethan looked into her eyes.
“Would you sacrifice anything for either of your children?”
“Of course.”
“Even one child for the other?”
Her fingers tightened around his arm.
“What a strange question.”
Before Ethan could respond, Preston appeared.
Beatrice released him.
The brothers stared at each other.
Preston’s face was pale without makeup this time.
“Don’t drive home,” he said.
Beatrice turned sharply.
“What did you say?”
Preston forced a laugh.
“I said he shouldn’t drive if he’s tired.”
Ethan understood the warning.
He left the hotel in a vehicle provided by Hayes’s team.
Investigators examined his car and found that a critical brake component had been damaged. A tracking device had also been attached beneath the rear bumper.
Hayes wanted to arrest the mechanic immediately.
Ethan argued against it.
“If we arrest him, my mother will know we’re investigating.”
“If we don’t, she may try again.”
“Then let her believe the first attempt failed by chance.”
Hayes did not like the risk.
Neither did Ethan.
But they needed evidence connecting Beatrice directly to the operation.
The mechanic’s photograph gave them a name.
May you like
Dale Mercer.
He was employed by a transportation company owned by Conrad Sloane.
