Dave’s gaze hardened. “We executed a search warrant on your Seattle house yesterday. Turned the place upside down.”
Frank felt his stomach drop. “You had no right?—”
“We had every right,” Dave cut in. “Signed by Judge Harmon himself. Your old friend, wasn’t he?” Dave’s smile was cold. “We went through everything. Every drawer, every closet, every floorboard. The fort in the backyard was better made than we thought, but it came down without too much effort.”
Frank’s anger rose. “That was my grandson’s.”
“And we didn’t find what we were looking for,” Dave continued as if Frank hadn’t spoken. “Which leaves only one possibility. The files are here in Sapphire Bay.” He leaned forward, his voice dropping. “Sterling Industries will do whatever it takes to get them back.”
“Is that a threat?” Frank asked, keeping his voice steady despite the rage building inside him.
“It’s a promise,” Dave replied. “The board has authorized me to use any means necessary to recover those files before the trial. Any. Means. Necessary.” He paused, letting the words sink in. “Don’t think for a second that your little hideaway here is beyond our reach.”
Frank’s jaw tightened. “Stay away from me and my grandson.”
“I have no interest in Tommy,” Dave said, raising his hands in a placating gesture that Frank didn’t believe for a second. “I’mjust pointing out that legal battles can get messy. And Sterling is prepared to fight very, very dirty if necessary.”
Dave took out his phone, swiping to a photo before turning the screen toward Frank. “I’ve been in Sapphire Bay for a few days now. I’ve met some interesting people.” The screen showed a picture of Tommy walking into the library with Mrs. Chen. Next to it was another photo—Isabel unlocking the bookstore.
“Stay away from them,” Frank said, his voice dangerously quiet. “They’re not involved in this.”
“The moment you took those files, everyone you care about was involved,” Dave replied, pocketing his phone. “The board is prepared to be generous, Frank. They’re willing to make certain allowances in exchange for your cooperation—and the return of those files.” Dave pushed the envelope closer to Frank. “They have unlimited resources. Remember that when you’re deciding what you’ll do.”
Frank didn’t respond, but his mind was racing through the implications of what Dave had said. If Sterling Industries had been watching Tommy and Isabel, how much else did they know?
“Oh, and Frank,” Dave added, his voice deceptively casual, “Theresa would be so disappointed in you.”
The mention of his late wife’s name froze Frank in place.
“She always believed in your integrity, didn’t she?” Dave continued. “Always said you were above reproach. She’d be devastated to see you now. Hiding out in a small town, lying to the prosecutors, and endangering your grandson’s stability. That’s an impressive list of things to be ashamed about.”
Frank stood abruptly. “We’re done here.”
“Think about it, Frank,” Dave called as Frank walked away. “You have forty-eight hours to bring me the information. After that, Sterling’s legal team will file their motion questioning yourcredibility and motives. Then we’ll come for the documents you copied. One way or another.”
Frank didn’t look back as he strode to his truck. Dave’s eyes burned into his back, but he kept his pace steady, refusing to show any sign of the turmoil churning inside him.
When he reached the driver’s door, William was sitting low in the passenger seat, his eyes fixed on the recording equipment in his lap. Frank slid behind the wheel, his hands finally allowing themselves to shake.
“Did you get all that?” he asked quietly.
William nodded, his expression grim. “Every word. Including the threats about the search and the photos of Tommy and Isabel.” He looked up from the equipment. “That’s witness intimidation, Frank. We’ve got him.”
“He was careful with his wording,” Frank said, watching in the rearview mirror as Dave returned to his rental car. “Sterling’s attorneys will argue he was having a friendly conversation about possible legal strategies.”
“Maybe,” William admitted, “but combined with the other evidence, it’s damning.” He disconnected the wire from Frank’s jacket. “You did well. Especially when he mentioned Theresa—that must have been hard to hear.”
Frank’s throat tightened. “Dave always knew where to twist the knife.”
As he drove through Sapphire Bay, Frank thought about the hidden files. They were his insurance policy, his proof that Sterling had deliberately falsified satellite data for military contracts. He’d hoped they’d never be needed. Now they might be the only thing standing between justice and Sterling’s escape from accountability.
William pointed to a sign letting people know about a scenic lookout ahead of them. “Pull over, Frank. Take a few minutes to let everything settle.”
Frank didn’t need to be asked twice. He needed a moment to think about what he’d do next. Getting out of the truck, he walked across to an old wooden fence and took a deep breath. When he was almost ready to return to William, he took out his phone and checked his messages.
There were three missed calls from Marcus, probably following up on the meeting with Dave. Frank ignored them, staring instead at his most recent text messages—the ones from Isabel asking if he was still coming for dinner tomorrow night.
In the short time he’d known her, she’d become important to him in ways he hadn’t expected. Her kindness, her perceptiveness, and the warmth in her eyes when she looked at him—they made him want things he’d told himself he couldn’t have again.
