Chapter 19: On His Knees

Four hundred phones turned toward the man on his knees.

Calvin did not seem to see them.

"Ellie." His voice carried across the stones. "Please. Call them off."

Elise stood on the stage with the microphone still live in her hand.

"Call who off?"

"The district attorney. Call him now and tell him it was a mistake." He crawled forward a foot on his knees. "I'll do anything you ask."

"Anything."

"The Tower, the stake, the house. I'll sign it all over this minute, with these people watching."

"You wanted my mother's stake for five years," Elise said. "Now you'll give me your own."

"Yes."

"You don't own it anymore, Calvin. The board took your seat on Friday."

His face twisted.

"Then Miles. Take Miles. Raise him with June, I'll never ask for him back."

A murmur ran through the plaza, low and horrified.

"You'd give your son to your wife as a bribe," Elise said.

"I'd give you anything."

"You're a man who gives away what isn't his," she said. "My charm. My mother's shares. Your own child."

"Ellie, I love you."

It was the first time in five years he had said it.

It came out wet and desperate, with a camera three feet from his face.

She felt nothing.

She had waited five years to hear those words, and all she felt now was that her daughter was a few hundred yards away and should be fed.

"No," Elise said.

"I'm begging you."

"I know. I can see everyone watching. I'm not the one you're begging." She lifted her chin at the nearest lens. "You're asking them."

Calvin's shoulders caved.

He put one hand flat on the stones to hold himself up.

"Get up, Calvin," said a voice behind him.

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