No one spoke.

“The motion carries,” Pendelton said.

“The security team is authorized to remove the imposters from all corporate properties.”

Adelaide came back on the line.

“Did you hear that, Natalie?” she asked.

“I heard it,” I said.

A tear finally slipped down my cheek, but I did not wipe it away.

“It’s over,” Adelaide said.

“The lawyers are already drafting the freeze on Victoria’s personal accounts.”

“She cannot touch a single dollar of the family money,” she said.

“Thank you, Adelaide,” I whispered.

“I did this for Thomas,” she said softly.

“And for that little girl. Take care of her.”

She hung up the phone.

I looked at the white plaster ceiling of the room.

The sunlight shifted across the linoleum floor, warming the cold space.

A knock came at the door.

Investigator Harris walked in.

He wore his dark wool overcoat and carried a thick manila folder.

“We picked up Chloe Vance,” Harris said.

He pulled up a plastic chair and sat down near my bed.

“She was trying to board a private charter at Van Nuys airport,” he said.