She Was Hired to Finish the Book—But the Last Chapter Was a Confession
CHAPTER 12
Three weeks passed.
Ethan was charged with multiple crimes.
Financial fraud.
Identity trafficking.
Kidnapping.
Murder.
The investigation spread across several states.
Celia remained in protective custody.
Mara visited her once.
“You knew I’d find the manuscript.”
Celia smiled.
“I knew you couldn’t resist a mystery.”
“You manipulated me.”
“Yes.”
“You used me.”
“Yes.”
Mara stared at her.
“Why should I believe anything you say?”
“You shouldn’t.”
Celia looked toward the window.
“That’s the only honest thing I’ve ever told you.”
Mara stood.
“What happened to June?”
Celia didn’t answer.
Instead, she gave Mara a photograph.
A small town.
A diner.
A girl sitting near the window.
Older now.
Alive.
On the back was an address.
Mara drove there with Daniel.
They found June living under another name.
She was fifteen.
Quiet.
Suspicious.
When Mara showed her Celia’s photograph, June began crying.
“She told me not to trust her.”
“Why?”
“Because she knew she would come looking for me.”
“She wanted to hurt you?”
June shook her head.
“No.”
“Then why?”
June looked at Mara.
“Because she was afraid of what I’d remember.”
Mara felt a chill.
“What do you remember?”
June stared at her.
“The night Richard died.”
Mara sat down.
“What happened?”
June whispered:
“Ethan wasn’t there.”
Mara froze.
“Then who was?”
June looked toward the door.
“Mom.”
