Isabel raised her cup one more time. “To steps in the right direction,” she said to Lynda. “And to patience for the journey ahead.”
CHAPTER 41
Frank paced the length of the safe house’s small living room. The television murmured in the background. It was an animated show Tommy had been watching before falling asleep on the couch.
Dave’s arrest had changed everything and nothing at the same time. The immediate threat was gone, but the trial loomed even closer. Eight days now. Frank checked his watch. It was almost time for his scheduled call with Isabel. His heart quickened at the thought of hearing her voice.
“You’ll wear a hole in the floor,” William remarked from the doorway, a manila folder tucked under his arm. “You can talk to her soon. We’ve added the information about Winters’ arrest to your testimony prep. You should review it tomorrow.”
Frank nodded, glancing at Tommy. He looked peaceful for the first time in weeks, curled up with Fido clutched to his chest. “Did Dave say anything during his interrogation about who hired him? About Sarah and Tony’s accident?”
William’s expression grew somber. “Nothing conclusive yet. But the ballistics from the dock match a rifle found in his rental car. And his phone records show multiple calls to a burner phone we believe belongs to the shooter.”
“But no direct link to Sterling Industries?”
“Not yet.” William hesitated. “But we’re digging deeper into Meridian Global. Their financials are a mess of shell companies and offshore accounts, but Marcus and our forensic accountants found something interesting. There was a series of payments matching the dates of several incidents involving Sterling’s critics.”
Frank’s blood ran cold. “Incidents?”
William nodded. “Car accidents. House fires. Boating mishaps. There wasn’t enough evidence to connect Meridian to anything before now, but the patterns are there.”
Frank sank into the armchair opposite Tommy, the implications hitting him like a physical blow. If Meridian had been involved in “incidents” targeting other people, then they could have been involved in Sarah and Tony’s accident.
“We’ll get them, Frank,” William said quietly. “All of them. Sterling’s case is collapsing from the evidence in the encrypted files you turned over. Dave’s arrest just makes the case against them much easier to fight.”
Frank nodded, unable to speak past the lump in his throat. Justice for Sarah and Tony wouldn’t bring them back, and it wouldn’t give Tommy his parents again. But it was something—an acknowledgment of the wrong done to them.
William looked at his watch. “It’s time to call Isabel.”
Frank waited for William to leave before picking up the phone. Isabel answered it on the third ring.
“Frank.” Her voice came through clear and warm. “I’ve been waiting all day to talk to you. Is it true? Have the FBI arrested Dave?”
“It’s true,” Frank told her. “He’s in federal custody now.”
“Thank goodness,” Isabel breathed. “We’ve been celebrating. Lynda brought champagne to my new house.”
“You’re at the house now?” Frank pictured her in the sunroom she’d described, surrounded by empty space waiting to be filled.
“Yes. It’s officially mine as of this morning. All it needs now is furniture and books—lots of books.”
Frank smiled, leaning back in the chair. “I can help with that second part. Tommy and I have quite the collection between us.”
There was a pause, charged with unspoken meaning. “I’d like that,” Isabel said finally. “When you both come home.”
Home. After being away from Sapphire Bay, Frank treasured what ‘home’ felt like even more than he used to. And with Isabel still there, the feelings were a whole lot stronger.
“It’s not long until the trial starts,” Frank said. “William thinks it’ll move quickly now, especially with Dave in custody. If all goes well, we could be back in three weeks.”
Isabel sighed. “It’s better than it was.”
Frank frowned. “Isabel, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“That sounds serious,” she said, a note of concern creeping into her voice.
Frank took a deep breath. “William told me they’re investigating connections between Sterling Industries and a company called Meridian Global. They think Meridian might have been involved in incidents targeting people who spoke out against Sterling.”
“Incidents?” Isabel asked, her voice sharpening with understanding. “You mean like what happened at the dock? Or—” She broke off, realization dawning. “Frank, are you saying they might have been involved in Sarah and Tony’s accident?”
