Chapter 9 - The Island House.
The little island was not marked on tourist maps.
It belonged to Hale Meridian through an old shell company created before Marcus became chief executive.
Sophia had used it as a records storage site while auditing resort acquisitions.
Elena had not thought about it in years.
"How does Ruby know about it?" Marcus asked.
Elena looked at the child.
"Sophia must have taken her there."
Ruby nodded.
"Mommy said the red box was important."
The storm was approaching too fast for a safe crossing, but Damian and Celeste had already taken the risk.
Elena refused to let Marcus follow in another small boat.
Instead, Tomas called the resort's emergency marine crew.
Their reinforced rescue vessel could handle the rising swells.
Elena went with Marcus.
Ruby stayed under guard in the resort's secure medical wing.
Rain began halfway across the channel.
The island house appeared through sheets of water, a low concrete structure surrounded by bent palms.
The missing maintenance boat was tied to the dock.
"They're here," Marcus said.
The rescue crew cut the engine fifty yards out.
Elena and Marcus approached quietly from the rear path.
A light glowed inside the house.
Through a cracked shutter, Elena saw Celeste dumping folders onto a table.
Damian stood beside an open metal safe.
Between them sat a bright red document box.
Marcus whispered, "Sophia's."
Elena nodded.
They could hear voices through the rain.
"We take the drive and burn the rest," Damian said.
Celeste's hands shook.
"You said nobody would get hurt."
"Nobody was supposed to."
"Ruby almost drowned."
"Because Lila panicked."
Celeste stared at him.
"You told her to scare the child."
Damian's voice turned cold.
"And you told Lila where to put her."
Elena pressed record on her phone.
Marcus's breathing became controlled and slow beside her.
Celeste continued.
"I never told anyone to push Ruby."
"It doesn't matter now."
"It matters to me."
Damian laughed.
"You slapped Elena while she was holding the kid. Spare me the conscience."
Celeste flinched.
Elena felt no sympathy.
Damian pulled a small black drive from the red box.
"This is what Sophia died for."
Marcus nearly moved.
Elena caught his arm.
Inside, Celeste whispered, "You said the accident wasn't yours."
Damian looked at her.
"I said I wasn't on the boat."
The words made Elena's stomach drop.
Marcus's face went white.
Damian slipped the drive into his pocket.
"There's a difference."
A floorboard cracked under Marcus's shoe.
Damian turned instantly.
"Who's there?"
Elena grabbed Marcus and pulled him behind the wall as the door flew open.
Damian stepped into the rain holding a flare gun.
It was not designed as a weapon, but at close range it could kill.
"Come out," he shouted.
Marcus stepped into view before Elena could stop him.
"You killed my sister."
Damian aimed the flare gun.
Celeste appeared behind him.
"Marcus, don't!"
Lightning split the sky.
Damian smiled.
"You were always too emotional to run the company."
Then Celeste shoved his arm sideways.
The flare fired into the house.
A curtain ignited instantly.
Damian struck Celeste across the face and ran toward the dock.
Marcus chased him.
Elena rushed inside toward the red box as flames climbed the wall.
She lifted the lid.
The box was empty.
May you like
The drive was gone.
And from beneath the table, someone whispered Elena's name.
