Chapter 9 No.9

The elevator reached the lobby.

Through the glass doors, Camille could see the mob. Reporters. Cameras. Satellite trucks.

"You called them?" Horatio asked.

"I told you," Camille said, straightening her spine. "Brand management."

Horatio buttoned his jacket. "Then let's put on a show."

They walked out.

The noise was deafening. Flashes popped like strobe lights.

"Mr. Melton! Is it true?"

"Who is she?"

Horatio pulled Camille close to his side. He looked directly into the lens of the nearest camera.

"This is Camille Haynes," Horatio announced. His voice carried over the crowd. "My future wife."

Camille smiled. It was a dazzling, practiced smile.

"Ms. Haynes! You just got out of prison!" a reporter shouted.

"The past is the past," Horatio cut in smoothly. "We are focused on the future."

Camille pulled a folded paper from her pocket.

"I have a statement," she said. The crowd quieted. "As of today, I have signed a formal renunciation of any and all claims to the Haynes family trust. I am reclaiming my grandmother's name. I am Camille Vance. The Haynes family does not speak for me, and I do not speak for them."

It was the final nail in the coffin. She had publicly severed the tie.

Horatio guided her through the crush to the waiting SUV.

They climbed in. The door slammed shut, cutting off the noise.

Horatio's smile vanished instantly.

"That was effective," he said, his tone cool. "But don't ever ambush me with the press again."

"It worked," Camille said. "Check your stock price in the morning. Stability sells."

Horatio reached into the seat pocket and pulled out a file.

"Here is your new history," he said. "Yale Medical School dropout. Framed by a jealous ex-lover. Exonerated. My team wrote it. Memorize it."

Camille flipped through the pages. "Creative."

"About Dr. X," Horatio said, turning to look at her.

Camille stiffened.

"My security team traced the last known IP address of Dr. X," Horatio said. "It came from inside the federal penitentiary."

He leaned closer. "You aren't just the agent, are you?"

Camille's heart hammered against her ribs. She kept her face neutral.

"Prison is full of talented people," she said. "Maybe Dr. X was my cellmate."

Horatio studied her. He didn't believe her. But he didn't press it. Not yet.

"We're going to the manor," Horatio said. "We have work to do."

"One more thing," Camille said. "Gavin Lloyd."

"Your ex," Horatio said.

"My prey," Camille corrected.

Horatio looked out the window. "His company applied for a vendor certification with us last week."

Camille's hands curled into fists.

"Good," she said.