The Call at Sunset
Chapter 08 - The Call at Sunset
Ava's phone rang just as the sun touched the horizon. The sound seemed unnaturally loud in the silence after Thomas's recording.
She looked at the screen and answered. “Commander Reed.”
A calm voice spoke for less than a minute. Ava listened without interrupting. Behind her, Grant's expression shifted as he tried to read the answer from her face. Celeste whispered to one of the attorneys, who shook his head and backed away.
When the call ended, Ava lowered the phone.
“That was the Treasury Department,” she announced. “The offshore accounts connected to Harbor Shield have been frozen. Nine million, four hundred thousand dollars in diverted donations will not be leaving the country tonight.”
The media director glanced toward the foundation total still glowing on the main screen. Several donors began checking their phones. News alerts appeared almost immediately. Someone had streamed Thomas's recording live, and the story was spreading beyond the marina.
Grant recovered enough to raise his voice. “You have no right to destroy this company based on an unproven accusation. Thousands of people depend on Reed Maritime.”
Ava nodded. “That's why the investigators are separating the company from the people who abused it. The shipyards will stay open. Payroll has been protected. Employees will not pay for your decisions.”
Grant's argument died before it could gather support. He had expected Ava to attack blindly and give him a way to portray himself as the responsible leader. Instead, she had spent months protecting the workers he used as a shield.
Celeste looked toward the dock. Blue lights reflected faintly across the water.
“Are they coming for us?” she whispered.
Ava did not answer immediately. She looked at the woman who had attended every school ceremony, chosen her first formal dress, and later used her photograph to sell a lie.
“They are coming for the evidence,” Ava said. “What happens to you will depend on how much truth you are finally willing to tell.”
Caleb unfolded the ferry ticket and ran his thumb across its faded edge. “Was the call the reason you came tonight?”
“No. I came because you were here.”
He looked at her.
“I knew they planned to announce that you would become foundation chairman,” Ava continued. “Once you signed the documents, they could claim you approved the accounts. You were supposed to become the final person carrying their blame.”
May you like
Caleb turned toward the stage. A leather folder waited beside Grant's speech notes. Inside were the papers he had been pressured to sign after dinner.
His parents had not invited him to honor Ava. They had invited him to replace her as their sacrifice.
