As the door closed behind her, Lynda gave Isabel an impressed look. “That was brilliant. Without even trying, you just lined up what sounds like a fascinating event.”
Isabel shrugged. “It seemed like a natural connection. Cassie loves books about jewelry, and she has so much knowledge that’s worth sharing.”
“Owning a bookstore is the perfect job for you,” Lynda said. “You have a gift for connecting people with books and each other. I’ve watched you all morning—how you remembered what a gentleman was looking for last week, how you suggested a mystery series to the teenager who seemed lost in the adult fiction section.”
“It’s nothing special,” Isabel told her friend. “It’s the same thing I did when I was a librarian.”
“It is special,” Lynda insisted. “And it’s exactly what the bookstore needs.” She hesitated, then added more softly, “That’s what you’re doing with Frank and Tommy, too, isn’t it? You’re creating space for something new to grow.”
Isabel felt her throat tighten unexpectedly. “I’m just trying to help.”
The bell chimed again as a group of customers came into the store. Lynda’s words stayed with Isabel throughout the afternoon. They mingled with thoughts of Frank’s determined face as he’d called Agent Ramirez and of Tommy’s trust in her.
Perhaps Lynda was right. She’d come to Sapphire Bay in search of a fresh start. But what she was really doing was laying the foundation for something more incredible than she’d ever imagined.
And despite being worried about Frank, Sterling Industries, and what might come next, Sapphire Bay was exactly where Isabel was meant to be.
CHAPTER 22
Frank paced the length of his home office, phone pressed to his ear, as he listened to Marcus. Through the window, he could see Tommy playing with a remote-controlled boat in the backyard—safe, for now, under the watchful eye of Pastor John.
“I’m telling you, Frank, this goes deeper than we thought,” Marcus said, his voice tight with tension. “I’ve been digging into some of Sterling’s subsidiary companies, following the money trail from the military contracts.”
Frank paused his pacing. “What did you find?”
“There’s a shell company,” Marcus told him. “It’s called Halo Technologies. They’ve been receiving substantial payments from Sterling Industries. On paper, they provide ‘technical consulting services,’ but I can’t find any record of actual work they’ve performed.”
“That’s not unusual for Sterling,” Frank pointed out. “They’ve always obscured their contractors.”
“Yes, but here’s where it gets interesting,” Marcus continued. “Halo Industries has been making regular payments to a private security firm called Meridian Global.”
Frank felt his body go cold. “Meridian?”
“You know them?”
“I’ve heard about them.” Frank resumed his pacing, more agitated now. “They’re former military and special ops soldiers who market themselves as security consultants. But they’re essentially mercenaries who operate in legal gray areas.”
“Well, whatever they’re doing for Sterling, they’re being paid very well for it.” Marcus hesitated. “I found something else, Frank. A payment from Meridian to an auto repair shop in Seattle, dated two years ago on October thirteenth.”
Frank’s hand tightened on the phone. That was two days before Sarah’s accident. “What kind of payment?”
“Ten thousand dollars. The shop closed three weeks later. The owner moved out of state with no forwarding address.”
A lump formed in Frank’s throat. The implications were staggering. If Sterling Industries had hired Meridian to sabotage Sarah’s car to silence him, the stakes were even higher than he’d realized.
“Have you taken this to the FBI?” Frank asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Not yet,” Marcus replied. “I wanted to talk to you first. I’m still gathering evidence, making sure the connections are solid before I tell anyone else.”
Frank moved to the window, watching Tommy adjust something on his boat. The morning sun caught his blond hair, so like Sarah’s that it made Frank’s chest ache.
“You need to take what you’ve found to Ramirez,” Frank urged. “Today, Marcus. This changes things. If Sterling was willing to—” He couldn’t finish the sentence. “Just be careful. Use secure channels and don’t go alone.”
“I will,” Marcus promised. “Are you staying in Sapphire Bay? With everything that’s happening, you and Tommy might be safer in Seattle, under direct FBI protection.”
Frank’s grip tightened on the phone. “Agent Ramirez is sending a special agent to stay with us in Sapphire Bay. He’ll be here by tomorrow.”
“That’s good,” Marcus said with a relieved sigh. “After what you told me about the photos and Dave approaching Tommy, I’ve been worried sick.”
