Chapter 10 - The Price of Silence|
By the beginning of Camila's seventh week in Ashford Harbor, the first major autumn storm was moving toward the coast.
Weather reports warned of heavy rain, dangerous tides, and possible flooding along the lower harbor.
The normally busy waterfront began closing its exposed facilities.
Workers secured cranes and abandoned outdoor repairs.
Fishing vessels returned early.
And at the Curado estate, Desmond ordered another inspection of the emergency generators.
The investigation into Julian Voss was approaching a critical point.
Federal agents had obtained warrants for several properties connected to his subcontractors.
Financial records supported allegations of fraud and theft, but investigators still needed to locate Jonah Reed and determine who had ordered the old warehouse fire.
Adrien believed the missing mechanic was being held somewhere near the abandoned pumping station.
Vincent believed Julian had already learned about the investigation.
Neither brother wanted to wait.
Tessa insisted that they would not conduct a private rescue operation.
“People have already disappeared because somebody thought they could handle this alone,” she told them.
Vincent accepted the warning.
Adrien reluctantly agreed.
For Camila, the immediate danger became real on a rainy Wednesday afternoon.
She had gone downstairs to collect a delivery when she noticed the apartment building's front desk was unattended.
Through the glass entrance, a black SUV sat across the street.
A small silver emblem shaped like a seabird was attached near the license plate.
Camila stopped walking.
She knew that emblem.
Mia had called it the bad bird.
The vehicle remained parked until Camila stepped away from the windows.
When she looked again, it was gone.
She called Desmond immediately.
He arrived with two security officers and reviewed the building's exterior recordings.
The SUV had circled the block three times.
A man wearing a maintenance uniform had entered the lobby using a copied access card.
Camila recognized him from the contractors Julian had brought to the mansion.
Desmond's expression hardened.
“We're moving you.”
“Where?”
“To a federal facility outside the harbor.”
Camila nodded without arguing.
She packed their belongings while Mia asked why they were going on another trip.
“Because we're going somewhere safer,” Camila said.
“Will Grandma be there?”
“Not yet, sweetheart.”
“Will Bubbles have a bed?”
“He'll have the best bed we can find.”
But the transfer did not go as planned.
The storm intensified earlier than forecast.
By late afternoon, one coastal road had been closed because of flooding.
A fallen tree blocked the route toward the interstate.
Desmond was driving Camila and Mia toward a rendezvous point when a dark SUV appeared behind them.
It followed through three turns.
Then another vehicle stopped across the narrow road ahead.
Desmond immediately reversed into a side lane.
Camila pulled Mia down against the seat as the second vehicle accelerated toward them.
The security officer in the passenger seat called for assistance.
Desmond turned sharply onto a private road and drove through a locked service gate using an emergency access code.
The pursuing SUV remained behind the gate, but Camila heard the driver shouting into a phone.
Her hands shook as she held Mia.
“Mommy, are we hiding?”
“Yes, sweetheart.”
“Like Bubbles under the blanket?”
Camila kissed her hair.
“Just like that.”
Desmond contacted Tessa from a secure line.
The federal team was repositioning because several roads near the harbor had become impassable.
Until the team could reach them, the safest accessible fortified location was the Curado estate.
Camila hated the idea of returning.
But the mansion had functioning backup power, security personnel Desmond trusted, and an emergency shelter above the flood zone.
Desmond promised that the stop would be temporary.
They would move again as soon as the roads reopened or federal transport reached the property.
Vincent was waiting in the entrance hall when they arrived.
He looked at Mia first.
“Are you hurt?”
She shook her head.
“Bubbles got scared.”
Vincent crouched before her.
“Then you can tell him he's safe inside.”
Mia considered him seriously.
“Are you scared too?”
Vincent looked toward Camila.
“Yes,” he admitted.
“A little.”
Mia reached out and patted his shoulder.
“It's okay.”
Later, Vincent spoke privately with Camila.
“I know you didn't want to return here.”
“That's an understatement.”
“I've asked Tessa to send a team as soon as she can.”
Camila studied his face.
“Did you know Julian would come after us?”
“I knew he might try.”
“Then why wasn't he stopped?”
“Because suspicion isn't a conviction, and we didn't have enough to arrest him before he realized what was happening.”
Camila looked toward the hallway where Mia was playing.
“Now he's threatening a child because he thinks she knows something.”
Vincent's jaw tightened.
“He won't get near her.”
“I've heard promises like that before.”
Vincent lowered his eyes.
“Then I'll have to do more than promise.”
That evening, Adrien contacted the mansion from the lighthouse cottage.
He had discovered a hidden compartment beneath a raised stone floor in the cottage's old storage cellar.
Inside was a waterproof metal case.
The case had been placed above the highest known storm-tide line, exactly where Isabel's note had suggested.
But Adrien had not opened it.
The fastening was old, and he wanted Vincent present before disturbing anything their mother had hidden.
He believed the case contained evidence connected to the warehouse fire.
Vincent instructed him to leave it untouched until Desmond could escort both men safely.
While the brothers argued about the best way to proceed, Desmond received an urgent call.
The federal team had found evidence that Jonah Reed might still be alive.
A utility meter at the abandoned pumping station had been activated despite the facility's official closure.
And someone had purchased food and medical supplies using the account of Julian's private transport company.
A rescue team was being prepared.
Camila was helping Mia into her pajamas when her phone rang.
The caller identification showed an unknown number.
She almost ignored it.
Then a text message appeared.
Your mother receives dialysis on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
A second message followed.
Families are fragile things, Miss Dwarte.
Camila's blood turned cold.
Before she could respond, the phone rang again.
This time, she answered.
Julian Voss's familiar voice greeted her pleasantly.
“Good evening, Camila.”
She stood frozen beside Mia's bed.
“What do you want?”
“Something that belongs to the Curado family.”
“The compass?”
Julian gave a soft laugh.
“Clever girl.”
Camila looked toward the doorway.
“Why?”
“Because Adrien has found something his mother was supposed to take to her grave.”
His tone changed.
“Tell Vincent to surrender the case before midnight.”
“And if he doesn't?”
May you like
Julian's reply was almost a whisper.
“Then by morning, there won't be anyone left in that house to remember what happened.”
