Chapter 9: The Last Thing Celeste Said
Celeste was arrested on a Thursday.
I was in a meeting when Grace called.
I stepped into the hallway.
"They executed the warrant this morning," Grace said.
"Wire fraud, conspiracy to commit financial fraud, witness intimidation — the charge related to Nora Voss.
Her attorney is already filing motions."
"Did they freeze the offshore account?"
"The court order went through yesterday.
The full amount is frozen pending recovery proceedings.
Approximately $11.4 million when you include the interest accrued."
I leaned against the wall.
"And Raymond?"
"He accepted the cooperation agreement this morning.
He'll plead to two counts of breach of fiduciary duty and one count of financial fraud.
Disbarment proceedings are already underway through the bar association."
"Nora Voss," I said.
"Has anyone spoken to her?"
"I called her this morning.
She knows." A pause.
"She said to tell you thank you."
I looked through the glass at my colleagues waiting inside the conference room.
Normal work.
Normal afternoon.
"Thank you, Grace," I said.
"Tell me when she's formally charged."
"Already done," Grace said.
"Vivian — it's done."
I went back into the meeting.
Three days later, Celeste's attorney requested a sit-down.
Not a negotiation — a message delivery.
Celeste wanted to speak to me directly, through counsel, before the case proceeded.
I agreed.
I brought Marina and my new attorney, a woman named **Diane Cho** who had replaced Raymond without ceremony.
Celeste's attorney read a prepared statement.
It was careful and legal and said very little.
Then he looked at Diane and said his client wished to add one personal remark.
Diane nodded.
The attorney read from a handwritten note.
*"Vivian, you were always smarter than Adrian gave you credit for.
I should have known better than to underestimate someone who signs their own surgical consent form."*
The room was quiet.
I looked at the note.
Then at the attorney.
"Tell her I said the same."
Outside on the pavement, Marina fell into step beside me.
"What do you think she meant by that?" Marina asked.
"I think she meant it as a compliment," I said.
"And I think she's furious that she has to give it."
We walked to the car.
May you like
The trees along the street had started to turn.
I hadn't noticed until that moment.
