Chapter 10 - THE VOICE INSIDE MY KITCHEN
The listening device was small enough to fit beneath a coin.
Its battery could last weeks.
It transmitted audio through a cellular connection.
Someone had placed it where conversations at the kitchen island would be captured clearly.
The investigator, Marcus Lee, photographed it in place before removing it.
“Do not destroy it,” I said.
“I will preserve it in an evidence bag.”
“Can you determine who purchased it?”
“Possibly. The device has a serial number.”
Mr. Harris reviewed hallway footage from every entry made with the second fob.
Daniel appeared most often.
Melissa appeared several times.
Celeste appeared once.
She entered on May 17 at 11:42 a.m. and remained for forty-three minutes.
Daniel was with her.
That matched one of the dates in Emma’s coloring book.
The camera footage showed Celeste walking through my apartment as if inspecting a property.
She opened cabinets.
Photographed artwork.
Examined the windows.
Entered my bedroom.
At the kitchen island, Daniel placed the ceramic rooster in front of her.
He turned it over.
Removed something from her bag.
Then returned the rooster to the counter.
The listening device.
I watched the video without speaking.
Marcus Lee stopped the recording.
“Do you want me to continue?”
“Yes.”
The footage resumed.
Celeste handed Daniel several papers.
The camera angle did not reveal the text.
Then she said, “Once she signs, you will not need the court.”
Daniel looked uneasy.
“What if she refuses?”
“She will sign if she believes the alternative is losing contact with the children.”
My fingers tightened around the chair.
Daniel asked, “And North Lantern?”
“When the transfer is complete, I will give you the records.”
“All of them?”
“All records relevant to you.”
“That is not the same thing.”
Celeste smiled.
“You are learning.”
They left twelve minutes later.
The recording ended.
Marcus leaned back.
“Your son may be cooperating with her, but he does not trust her.”
“No.”
“Could be useful.”
“Or dangerous.”
The serial number on the listening device led to an online surveillance retailer. The purchase had been made with a business card belonging to Vale Family Advocacy.
That connected Celeste directly to illegal entry and surveillance.
Caroline advised waiting before reporting it.
“We have enough for police involvement,” she said. “But if we act now, Celeste may destroy the North Lantern records.”
“And if we wait?”
“We allow her to believe the plan remains viable.”
“What does she expect me to sign?”
“The proposal appoints Daniel as co-trustee. But the language contains a broader power buried in an attachment. It would authorize him to transfer residential property into a family holding company.”
“Which company?”
“Whitmore Legacy Holdings.”
“Who owns it?”
“Daniel owns forty percent.”
“And the rest?”
“Sixty percent is owned by North Lantern Trust.”
The room became very still.
“So if my apartment is transferred into that company, Celeste controls it.”
“As trustee, yes.”
“She is using Daniel to acquire my property.”
“Yes.”
“And Daniel thinks he will receive the North Lantern money afterward.”
“That appears to be the arrangement.”
I looked again at the frozen video image of my son standing beside Celeste.
He looked nervous.
But he had still entered my home.
Still copied my documents.
Still used my money.
Still prepared to threaten me with my grandchildren.
Being manipulated did not erase what he had chosen.
My phone rang.
Daniel.
I answered.
“Mom, can we have dinner tomorrow?”
“Where?”
“Your apartment.”
“No.”
A pause.
“Why not?”
“Choose a restaurant.”
“I want privacy.”
“I do not.”
His breathing changed.
“Celeste spoke to you.”
“Yes.”
“She is not what you think.”
“What do I think?”
“That she is helping me take your money.”
“Is she?”
“No.”
“Then explain.”
“I cannot over the phone.”
“Why?”
“Because she might be listening.”
I looked at the evidence bag containing the device.
“Daniel,” I said quietly, “who do you think put the listening device in my kitchen?”
May you like
He stopped breathing.
Then the call ended.
