Chapter 10
Julian was found alive in a lakeside rental outside Kingston, Ontario.
He had abandoned the plane at a private airstrip and crossed the border using another person’s passport.
Canadian authorities arrested him.
His phone contained messages with Celeste.
Celeste:
Destroy Mateo anchor.
Julian:
Police already copied serial.
Celeste:
Then leave until Adrian’s case stabilizes.
Julian:
You said Sofia would sign.
Celeste:
Adrian failed.
The words stripped away her claim that she merely protected family after an unexpected tragedy.
She knew Adrian planned coercion.
Did she know he intended murder?
Another message answered partially.
Celeste:
No body, no trust challenge.
Julian:
The awning changes that.
Celeste:
Then make her instability the story.
The message was sent eleven minutes after I fell.
Celeste learned I was alive.
Her first action was not to ask whether I needed surgery.
It was to preserve the narrative.
She was arrested on charges involving obstruction, destruction of evidence, corporate fraud, and conspiracy. Prosecutors continued evaluating whether evidence supported direct participation in the attempted killing and Mateo’s death.
Julian was extradited.
He requested a cooperation agreement.
Adrian had blamed him.
Celeste had ordered him to disappear.
Family loyalty lasted until prison became personal.
Julian admitted creating JVR Materials.
He purchased rejected anchors through brokers, stamped false certifications, and charged Vale full price.
Adrian learned after the Lucas Bennett death.
Celeste learned earlier through budget reports.
“Who sabotaged Mateo’s anchor?” investigators asked.
Julian requested his attorney.
Then answered.
“Adrian.”
My body went cold when Lydia summarized the proffer.
Julian said Adrian filed the locking pin the evening before the accident.
“He intended the anchor to fail under Mateo’s test load,” Julian said.
“Did he intend Mateo to fall?”
“He said Mateo would be attached to the secondary line.”
“Was he?”
“The secondary line had been moved.”
“By whom?”
Julian looked toward the camera.
“Me.”
Their plan was to frighten my father.
Injure him perhaps.
Destroy credibility by claiming he caused a safety incident.
Adrian sabotaged the primary anchor.
Julian moved the secondary tie-off point farther than protocol allowed.
When the anchor released, Mateo could not reach it.
“Did Celeste know?”
“She knew we planned an incident.”
“Did she authorize death?”
“No.”
“Did she help cover it afterward?”
“Yes.”
The distinction mattered legally.
It did not make Mateo less dead.
“Why did Adrian marry Sofia?” investigators asked.
Julian laughed bitterly.
“Mother introduced them.”
The Hudson Crown insurance review had been engineered.
Vale requested my firm.
Adrian researched me.
Celeste arranged the opportunity.
“He was supposed to get the waiver,” Julian said.
“Did he love her?”
May you like
Julian looked down.
“I think that made it worse.”
