Chapter 18 - Burn the Name
Fire raced across the gasoline in a bright orange line.
Daniel dragged Martin toward the tunnel.
Celeste blocked the steel door.
"Move!" Daniel shouted.
"Why? So you can hand my life to strangers?"
"You tried to kill my daughter!"
"I tried to protect what took generations to build."
Daniel stared at her through the rising smoke.
"You still think this is about the company."
"It is always about the company."
"No. It's about you needing everyone to kneel."
For the first time, Celeste looked wounded.
That was when Martin lunged.
He hit her from the side, knocking the gasoline can away. Daniel grabbed Celeste's wrist and pulled her clear of the flames.
She fought like an animal.
"Let me go!"
"Not this time."
The ceiling cracked.
Torres and two firefighters reached them through the west corridor.
They dragged Martin out first.
Celeste twisted free from Daniel and ran deeper into the archive.
"Mom!"
She stopped beside the shelf of tapes.
Flames climbed behind her.
"You want the truth?" she screamed. "Here it is. Your father chose the company over me every day of our marriage. I decided I would never be powerless again."
Daniel held out his hand.
"Come with me."
Celeste laughed through tears. "So you can put me in a cage?"
"So you don't die here."
She looked around at the burning records.
For one terrible second, Daniel thought she would choose the fire.
Then Rachel's voice sounded behind him.
"Daniel!"
She had entered with an officer despite orders to stay outside.
Celeste looked at Rachel.
Then at Lily in the carrier strapped to Rachel's chest.
Something in her expression changed.
She moved fast.
Not toward the exit.
Toward the baby.
Rachel stepped back.
Celeste reached under her dress and pulled out a small knife.
Daniel slammed into her.
They hit the floor as the ceiling above them gave way.
May you like
A burning beam crashed down.
And Rachel screamed his name.
