William stood beside him. “What’s wrong?” he asked
“I’m worried about Tommy and Isabel. Dave doesn’t make idle threats.”
“We can protect them,” William said.
If Frank fought back against Sterling’s threats, he risked losing everything—not just for himself and Tommy, but for Isabel, too.
But if he gave in, if he withheld the last files from the FBI, could he live with himself? Would he still be the man Isabel seemed to see when she looked at him?
Frank ran his hands through his hair. His decision was made. He wouldn’t let Sterling Industries intimidate him or threaten his family. Which meant he needed to move the encrypted files from their hiding place, reach out to Marcus, and prepare for what was coming.
“It’s time,” Frank said, his voice resolute. “I need to hand over the last of the files to the FBI tonight.”
William looked at him sharply. “You still have them? I thought you gave everything to the field office in Seattle.”
“I kept a backup,” Frank admitted. “Along with a few other files I found the week before I left Sterling Industries. They’re encrypted and hidden in my house. But it’s too dangerous to keep them there now. If Sterling Industries has been watching Tommy and Isabel, they could be watching my place too.”
“Where exactly are they?” William asked, suddenly all business.
“In the garage. Hidden inside an old fishing tackle box that belonged to my father.” Frank strode back to his truck. “They’ve threatened my grandson, William. They’ve threatened Isabel. I need those files out of my house and safely in FBI custody before Dave makes good on his threats.”
William nodded, already dialing on his secure phone. “I’ll arrange a pickup tonight. We’ll need you to verify the files’ authenticity, and then we’ll get them into evidence.”
Frank nodded, relieved to finally be rid of the burden he’d been carrying for nearly two years. The files represented his last tie to Sterling Industries and the corruption he’d discovered there. Once the FBI had them, he could finally move forward with his life.
And somehow, he had to explain to Isabel why he might disappear from her life.
CHAPTER 29
Isabel ran her fingers over a swatch of white quartz, admiring the subtle veining that caught the light. Kathleen’s new house on the point had spectacular views, but the kitchen was straight out of 1982—complete with orange laminate countertops and dark wood cabinets that made the space feel like a cave.
“I think this one has the most potential,” Isabel said, holding the quartz sample against a pale blue cabinet door. “It brightens everything without being too stark.”
Kathleen stood back, head tilted in consideration. “You might be right. The granite we looked at earlier feels too busy for this space.”
The kitchen was in a state of chaos, with sample doors leaning against walls and paint color cards arranged in meticulous fans across the windowsill. But Isabel could already envision what it would become—a warm, inviting space where Kathleen could entertain her friends and look out over the lake while cooking.
“Susan, what do you think about the white quartz with the blue cabinets?” Lynda asked. She adjusted the iPad on the makeshift table to make Susan’s face visible to everyone.
On the screen, Susan squinted, leaning closer to her camera. She was in her catering company’s kitchen, and behind her, Isabel could see the staff bustling about with trays of food. “Can you hold it up again? My prep team is getting ready for tomorrow’s museum gala, and it’s a zoo in here.”
Isabel obliged, holding the samples side by side while Lynda angled the iPad.
“Perfect combination,” Susan declared. “The blue will pick up the color of the lake through those big windows. Just make sure the hardware is brushed nickel, not that awful brass that’s coming back in style.”
Kathleen laughed. “Yes, ma’am. No brass hardware.” She picked up another cabinet sample, which was a soft gray color. “What about this one as an accent for the island?”
Before Susan could answer, a timer beeped behind her. “Hold that thought—my cheese straws wait for no woman. I’ll be right back!”
As Susan disappeared from view, Lynda picked up a glossy brochure that was sitting on the counter. “What’s this?” she asked, flipping it open.
“Oh, that’s from that fancy kitchen design place in Polson,” Kathleen explained. “The salesperson gave it to me when I looked at cabinet styles. It’s full of ridiculous gadgets no normal person needs.”
Lynda’s eyes widened as she turned a page. “A motorized spice rack that delivers your chosen spice at the touch of a button? Who comes up with these things?”
Isabel peered over her shoulder. “Look at that—a faucet you can control with your voice. ‘Alexa, pour me a glass of sparkling water’.”
The three women dissolved into laughter.
