“Alexander Robbins is only one of a number of people who helped Megan Hale commit and hide her crimes. Several individuals connected to Hale have already been arrested and charged, including camp employee Quinn Prescott and security guard Lucas Rodham. Officials say further arrests are expected.”
“I’m glad Alice was given immunity,” I say to Gabriel. “She didn’t deserve to go down with her.”
“She was the only reason they could prove any of it,” Gabriel replies.
“Yep, and she was a victim too.” I sigh. “I wonder how she’s doing. I need to give her a call one of these days to check up on her.”
Even though Alice betrayed us and hurt me deeply, she did what was right in the end. I’m learning to forgive her every day, just like I’m learning to forgive Gabriel.
I take my husband’s hand briefly and squeeze it. “I’m glad you also didn’t go to prison.”
He offers a tired smile. “Makes two of us.”
There was enough evidence to prove he funneled money to a secret account in Megan’s name, but the court accepted his defense. He was blackmailed, coerced by threats he couldn’t ignore.
“I’ve heard enough,” I say and reach for the remote, lowering the volume.
“The Saltspray Cove Youth Camp remains closed at this time,” the reporter adds as her voice fades. “However, sources confirm that plans are already underway to reopen it in two months, with Mandy Potter expected to resume control. The camp’s new name will officially be Saltspray Cove Center.”
Gabriel takes the remote from me and clicks off the TV entirely. “Listen, I heard something today about Ronald Hastings. It’s not on the news yet, but one of the guys I work with at the firm is close to the case and he forwarded some information to me this morning.”
I’m too nervous to ask what that is, so I just lean back, bite down on my bottom lip, and brace myself.
“We already know Hastings didn’t kill Eliza Bennet,” he says. “But they’ve confirmed something else.”
“What?” This just never seems to end.
What I already know is that Roland Hastings has apparently committed so many crimes that proving his innocence in Eliza’s murder still wasn’t enough to keep him out of prison.
“He’s the one who assaulted Megan when she was a teenager.” Gabriel clears his throat. “He got her pregnant.”
The words land heavily between us.
“You mean…” I whisper, my mouth dry.
He nods.
“Alice.” I press a hand to my mouth. “That awful man…” My voice shakes. “He’s her father?”
“Yeah.” Gabriel’s gaze is distant, his voice flat. “Megan may have been one of the first, but she is not the only girl he has assaulted; there are so many others.”
“I can’t believe this.” I sink deeper into the couch, my chest tight.
“Megan knew,” Gabriel continues. “That’s why she set him up. It wasn’t random. It was calculated revenge.”
Nothing about Megan Hale had been accidental.
“I’m coming down!” Sadie calls from upstairs.
Everything inside me shifts instantly, and for a moment, the past loosens its grip on me.
I get to my feet, and so does Gabriel.
We have our daughter back, and nothing matters more than her. Not now. Not ever.
EPILOGUE
We’re standing on theBlue Hammock, Saul Daniels’ newly fixed-up fishing boat. The fresh, white paint is clean and glossy now, the name carefully redone along the side. It’s nothing like the crooked, peeling mess it used to be. Offering to fix it was a gift from us.
