Chapter 9 - THE WOMAN IN THE RED COAT
Z
Beckett's security team identified the photographer within four hours.
Not a paparazzo.
A private investigator.
His name was Marcus Pell.
He had worked for corporate clients, divorce attorneys, and political campaigns.
Beckett sat in his office while his security director placed a photograph on the desk.
"Who hired him?"
"We don't know yet."
"Find out."
"We're working on it."
Beckett glanced at another image.
Marcus standing outside Violet's apartment.
A woman in a red coat beside him.
Her face was hidden.
"Who's she?"
"Unknown."
Beckett stared.
He hated unknowns.
Across town, Violet was beginning to hate something else.
Adriana Cole.
The woman appeared on television that evening during a business segment.
Elegant.
Dark-haired.
Forty.
Chief strategy officer at Valiant Holdings.
The interviewer mentioned Beckett's "recent family revelation."
Adriana smiled.
"Beckett's personal life is his own."
The answer was perfect.
Too perfect.
Then the interviewer asked whether Violet's reappearance might affect leadership.
Adriana's smile changed slightly.
"I think everyone hopes Mr. Valiant remains focused."
Violet turned off the television.
Two minutes later, Beckett called.
"Did you watch it?"
"Unfortunately."
"Ignore her."
"Easy for you to say."
"Violet."
"You kissed her."
"Once."
"Please stop emphasizing the number."
"It was a mistake."
"So was leaving without talking to you."
Silence.
That surprised them both.
Violet sat down.
"I should have told you about your father's letter."
"Yes."
"I should have called you directly when I found out I was pregnant."
"Yes."
She glared at the phone.
"You're supposed to make me feel better."
"I'm terrible at that."
"I remember."
His voice softened.
"I'm sorry about Adriana."
Violet closed her eyes.
"Did she want more?"
"Yes."
"Did you?"
"No."
"Why kiss her?"
Beckett was silent for several seconds.
"Because I wanted to feel something that wasn't missing you."
Violet's throat tightened.
"Did it work?"
"No."
They stayed silent.
Then Beckett said, "I'm coming over."
"No."
"The investigator—"
"Your security guard is outside my door."
"Two guards."
Violet looked through the peephole.
He was right.
"You're impossible."
"I'll see you tomorrow."
He paused.
"Tell Celeste goodnight."
Violet looked toward the crib.
"Tell her yourself."
"What?"
She pressed video call.
Beckett's face appeared.
For a moment, the CEO looked almost boyishly surprised.
Violet carried the phone toward Celeste.
"Your father wants to say goodnight."
Beckett's expression softened instantly.
"Hello, bug."
Violet raised an eyebrow.
"Bug?"
"I panicked."
"Your billionaire daughter gets 'bug'?"
"Do you have a superior proposal?"
"Celeste works."
"Too formal."
"You named companies more creatively."
"Companies don't drool on me."
Violet smiled.
Celeste opened her eyes.
Beckett whispered, "There she is."
For ten minutes, they existed in a strange little family bubble.
Then someone knocked.
Violet frowned.
"Who is it?"
No answer.
The security guard spoke from outside.
"Ms. Laru, stay inside."
Beckett's expression sharpened.
"What happened?"
Violet walked closer to the door.
She heard voices.
Then footsteps.
Running.
"Violet, step away from the door."
She obeyed.
Thirty seconds later, the guard knocked in their agreed pattern.
She opened it.
A red envelope lay on the floor.
The same red as the mysterious woman's coat.
Beckett arrived twelve minutes later.
He read the note.
One sentence.
ASK ELEANOR WHAT HAPPENED TO JAMES.
Beckett's face changed.
Violet felt cold.
"Your brother?"
He nodded.
"What does this mean?"
"I don't know."
"Ask your mother."
He looked toward the window.
"I intend to."
They drove to Eleanor's townhouse that night.
She opened the door wearing a robe.
Her eyes fell immediately to the red envelope.
Every ounce of color left her face.
"Where did you get that?"
Beckett stared.
"You recognize it."
Eleanor sat down.
Violet felt something terrible approaching.
"Mother."
Eleanor closed her eyes.
"James didn't die from complications of prematurity."
Beckett stopped breathing.
"What?"
"There was something else."
"What?"
"A genetic condition."
Violet's hand went instinctively to her mouth.
Eleanor looked at them both.
"Your father buried the diagnosis."
"Why?"
"Because he thought weakness in the Valiant bloodline would damage the company."
Beckett stared at her in disbelief.
"What condition?"
Eleanor's eyes moved toward Violet.
Then toward the room where Celeste wasn't.
May you like
When she spoke, her voice trembled.
"The same marker doctors found in your daughter's newborn screening."
