‘Someone saw enough to be afraid.’
Elaine stepped back once.
It was the first honest thing she had done.
Daniel rounded on her.
‘Mother, what is Harpswell?’
Elaine did not answer him.
Adrian did.
‘Five years ago, a Whitcomb-owned marina reported a fuel spill as storm damage after a worker was injured.
Two witnesses changed statements.
One disappeared from the payroll.
The state never had enough to move.
I kept copies of what crossed my desk because disasters repeat when powerful people learn they can bury the first one.’
Celeste’s face went pale.
Elaine’s voice turned flat.
‘Those allegations were resolved.’
‘They were buried.’
‘You have no authority here.’
The elevator dinged down the hall.
Adrian heard the shift in everyone’s breathing.
Two state troopers appeared first, rain dark on their shoulders.
Behind them came Agent Marisol Keene, compact, sharp-eyed, wearing a navy coat and carrying a badge in one hand.
A young nurse followed with red-rimmed eyes and a paper cup clutched between both hands.
Mara pushed herself upright.
‘That’s her,’ she whispered.
The nurse looked at Mara and nearly broke.
‘I’m sorry.
I tried to stop them, but Mrs.
Whitcomb said I’d lose my license.
Then Mr.
Whitcomb took the car seat.’
Daniel’s face flushed.
‘You don’t know what you saw.’
Agent Keene stepped between him and the nurse.
‘Then we will all be very grateful for the cameras,’ she said.
Elaine regained her voice.
‘Agent, this is a private medical matter.
My attorneys—’
‘Your attorneys can meet us at the station after we locate the infant.’
For the first time, Mara seemed to breathe.
It did not last.
Agent Keene turned to the nurse.
‘Where was the child taken?’
The nurse looked at Elaine, then at Daniel.
‘I saw them go through the service elevator.
I heard Mrs.
Whitcomb say not the main exit because the father might come back.
I don’t know where after that.’
‘The father,’ Mara repeated, staring at Daniel.
‘You mean my dad?’
The nurse nodded.
Something inside Mara hardened.
She swung her legs toward the side of the bed.
Adrian put a hand near her shoulder, not holding her down, only steadying.
‘Mara.’
‘I’m going,’ she said.
‘You can barely stand.’
‘Then help me stand.’
He did.
Elaine watched with distaste.
‘This is absurd.’
Celeste suddenly spoke.
‘The yacht club.’
Every head turned.
Her phone hung loose in her hand now.
She was staring at the floor.
Daniel’s voice cracked like a whip.
‘Celeste.’
She swallowed.
‘Grandfather’s office above the old boathouse.
That’s where Mom told Mr.
Bell to wait.’
Agent Keene’s eyes narrowed.
‘Who is Mr.
Bell?’
No one answered.
Mara looked at Daniel.
‘Who is Mr.
Bell?’
Daniel pressed his lips together.
Elaine’s control slipped enough for anger to show through.
‘Celeste, you will stop talking now.’
Celeste’s eyes flashed.
‘You said it was temporary.
You said Mara would sleep and wake up calmer and the papers would already be done.
You didn’t say you were locking a baby in that damp office while half the city floods.’
Mara made a sound so raw that Adrian reached for her, but she did not fold this time.
‘Noah is at the harbor?’
Agent Keene lifted her radio.
‘Unit two, proceed to Casco Harbor Yacht Club, old boathouse office.
Possible infant recovery.
