The Thorne Heiress Unveiling Shadow novel Chapter 65

The flight back to New York was quiet and smooth. Martha Gable was now in the official custody of the U.S. Marshals. Kaelen had arranged it with a single, brutally efficient phone call before they left the inn.

The mission was a success. They had their witness. They had their link to the mysterious woman with the Ouroboros ring.

Before leaving, Kaelen summoned the still-trembling Sheriff Smith to their suite for one final conversation. The man had practically bowed as he entered the room.

Kaelen didn't waste time with pleasantries. He placed a bearer check on the table, made out to the Havenwood Community Church.

"This is a donation to compensate for the disruption to the bake sale and any distress your community may have experienced," Kaelen said in a neutral, business-like tone.

He then slid a second, personal check across the table, this one made out to the sheriff himself. The number written on it was obscene, enough to guarantee a life of quiet luxury.

Sheriff Smith stared at it, his eyes wide with disbelief and avarice. "Sir… I… I don't know what to say. Thank you."

"You don't have to say anything," Kaelen said, his voice suddenly dropping. It became as cold and hard as the barrel of a gun. "This is for your silence. And for your memory to fail you regarding anything you saw or heard today."

He leaned forward, his gaze pinning the terrified man in place. "But let me be perfectly clear. If I ever hear a single rumor about today's events, if the name ‘Martha Gable' is ever uttered again in this town, if her previous identity is ever compromised in any way… I will know it was you."

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