Chapter 17 Celeste
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CELESTE
“A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.”- Sun Tzu, The Art of War
It’s been a few days since my little visit with Alaric.
A little visit is definitely an understatement.
I agreed to speak with him to hear him out with the full intention of ending things between us but fate had other plans.
He wouldn’t let me go and a part of me truly didn’t want to either, if I’m being honest with myself.
He confessed that he too has demons he holds, that he’s taken a life without regret, that he’ll be the light when I’m blinded by darkness.
I doubt he knows the full extent of my identity but time is ticking until it’s revealed.
A name tied to a Mafia kingdom doesn’t confirm the sins I’ve committed.
For all people know, I’m a saint who goes to church every Sunday.
How much is he willing to risk for a woman he just met?
Lying in his arms that night felt comfortable, felt like we belonged.
He pretty much announced that I’m his and he’s mine.
For now, I’ll push the uncertainty aside and enjoy the ride.
There’s more pressing matters that need my full attention.
Blinking at the sound of the elevator chiming that it’s arrived at the destination, I take a deep breath and slide on my mask of cruelty, cunning, and dominance.
Stepping through the doors, I make my way through the office.
Some avoid eye contact and the more tenured employees greet me with a quick good morning.
Entering my office, I let the door shut behind me as I make my way behind the desk powering on my computer.
I send a quick text to Antonio, Larson, and our tech guy, Samson, to come to my office to see if we have an update on the bastard who took Samantha.
The more days that go by, the more I risk her life and I can’t let that happen.
I can’t let another little girl lose her mother.
“Good Morning, Ms. Halsey.” My assistant, Angela, peeks into my office. “I have a coffee for you, Carmel Macchiato iced with extra caramel.”
Oh, she’s going to be my new favorite. How she knew this is one of my favorite drinks, I don’t know but I’m grateful someone pays attention.
“Thank you, Angela, that was very kind of you.” I give her a genuine smile.
The poor girl is terrified of me, especially since she hasn’t gotten to know me very well.
“There was a message left for you this morning from Mr. Albert with forensics. He said the report is ready for pickup. Would you like me to go fetch it?” She places my coffee on my desk along with a note.
I’m hoping it gives me something. I need answers so I can figure out how to deal with the traitor and also my feelings. Maybe I’m over thinking it and my senses are wrong, but nothing about my father’s death seems right.
“That would be great. Make sure no one else gets their hands on it and bring it straight to me,” I demand. She nods her head tentatively.
“Yes, of course, ma’am. Is there anything else you need while I’m out?” she asks nervously before she leaves.
Did she just call ma ma’am? I get it was said out of respect but damn. Way to make me feel old!
“Don’t call me ma’am. We’re the same age and are still young and thriving. When you’re alone with me, call me Celeste,” I acknowledge while I scroll through my email.
“Oh, and Angela, walk with determination, purpose, and confidence. I notice how people push you around in the office. Don’t take that shit.
Don’t ever cower, nor bend. You’re my assistant, not theirs.
I need someone who matches my level and energy.
You’re worth more than they give you credit for.
There’s a reason you work for me. Let the vicious viper out to play.
There’re bigger things coming and I need to know that you’re willing to get down and dirty,” I remind her before she leaves.
If you work for me, you won’t be walked all over. If you’re weak, you’ll be a thorn in my side and I can’t have my people become a target from my enemies.
“Thank you for that, Celeste. I lost myself for a while, reasons are not your concern but I’ll let her out from here on out.” She gives me a grateful smile.
“That’s where you’re wrong. For as long as you work for me, you are my concern. Don’t hesitate to come to me for help. We women, we need to stick together and show how damn strong we are. Now, hurry along before traffic gets worse than it already is,” I reassure her.
I need a female by my side who will go to any lengths, no matter how dirty it is.
Eyes who see all and reports back to me without hesitation.
I see something in her. I see a fire that needs to be ignited and that’s exactly what I plan to do with her.
Yeah, I have my cousin and dear friend who have my back and will go to great lengths to protect me but proving that a woman can rule this world better than a man, I need one by my side.
Blakely’s a mom now and I would never ask her to put her or her child in danger.
She would if I asked her but she has a little girl to think about and protect.
As will I. No harm would ever come to them.
As I click through my emails, documents start to pop up on my screen.
Articles of The Jawbreaker appear, linking him to another murder.
Both women are dancers at different clubs.
Neither appear to have any close relatives that would notice their disappearance.
Clicking on a folder, images of the bodies found in Times Square with vulgar words carved onto them and were both brutally tormented.
The skin on one of them melted causing me to shutter.
This killer seems to think they’re sinners and need to repent for their actions. Who the hell thinks this is okay?
I’m not a religious woman, but I did attend church regularly with my father.
I’ve never seen the people of God go this far to punish someone.
It may be frowned upon for the line of work they do, but they never turned anyone away or took these extreme measures, that I knew of anyways.
There are always cults and extremists, but I’ve never seen someone like this.
This guy is a sick motherfucker. If he wants a real sinner, I’ll give him one and bring him to the God he so desperately worships.
“I see you got the documents I sent you. Sick huh?” Samson speaks from over my shoulder, causing me to nearly jump out of my seat.
My hand goes flying, causing him to duck. I was hoping it would land, hitting his jaw, teaching him a lesson for being a little sneaky bastard. He got lucky and ducked away in time.
“Jesus, fuck, Samson. Warn a girl before you give me a heart attack. Where did you get these? There’s even more folders that popped up under these.” I glare at him before I move back to the screen.
A chuckle fills my ears as he moves away from me. Clearly, he doesn’t want to get hit and have his pretty little face messed up.
“You know better, cuz, you should be on high alert at all times. You’re lucky it was us and no one else. We literally walked through your door, not quiet either.” Antonio plops himself on the couch making himself comfortable. I flip him a vulgar gesture and he returns it, blowing me a kiss.
Larson saunters into my office joining Samson at the chairs in front of my desk.
They both take a seat, making themselves comfortable.
The next file I click on is labeled as classified documents.
This peaks my interest since I love getting my hands on things I’m not supposed to have.
It’s like I’m a kid in a candy shop, all the tasty treats waiting for me to devour.
“To answer your question, I hacked into the FBI database. It was a little tricky getting in without being noticed as they seem to have updated their fire wall. Nothing gets in my way, though, when I need to get the intel. Don’t worry, none of this will be traced back to you, I made sure of it.
” Samson scrolls through his phone and without warning, he takes control of my computer.
“The killer’s name is Oliver. Very religious. He moved here not too long ago and he lives in this church community on the outskirts of the city. He does work for the community to cover the costs of living in a cabin that's further away from the others.”
As he explains, different documents appear on the screen. Damn, I need to give him a raise for getting all these so quickly.
“Well, I got the religious part right when I saw the photos of the victims. You think this is some sort of sacrifice he did for the church?”
“No, from the reports it looks like the community was weary of him but the only one who spoke highly about him was the pastor. He was even taken back when the FBI showed up with a warrant to search the cabin and questioned him about Oliver’s involvement.
” He pulls up the report from when they had searched the place.
Alaric was the agent on sight and found a hidden bunker under the cabin floors.
It was empty but had a taunting note left specifically for him.
Oliver had wiped everything clean of any evidence except that bunker.
Even then, there was no evidence of blood, torture devices, or victims in there.
He knew they were coming and moved to a different location, or maybe he had a different location this whole time and used that as a decoy.
Mocking the FBI, leading them to what they hoped to find but coming up empty.
What he doesn’t know, he has a criminal who plays the same games and is two steps ahead of the law.