Chapter 248

“Celeste, it’s freezing out here, come—Celeste…” Before Martin Palmer could finish, he watched Celeste Harper hurry off toward the coffee shop across the street, not even glancing back. Her quick pace said she had something urgent on her mind. Inside, the cozy cat café had a chill vibe—cats lounging around, customers sipping coffee while reaching out lazily to pet them. But at the corner by the window, two women sat with expressions that didn’t match the relaxed feel of the place. “Why did you come back?” Ava Quarles’ voice was sharp, questioning. Nora Murray took her time sipping her coffee, completely calm. “I work for Blue Eagle. My undercover mission's over, so, of course, I came back. Weird of you to ask.” “If it was just an undercover mission, then why did you kill those officers?” “That was necessary. I had to eliminate any suspicion about my identity. It was the only way.” “To me, that was a pointless sacrifice,” Ava said coldly, eyes narrowing. “There were other ways. You didn