“Me too, Dad.” Everly got to her feet. “I’m gonna take a shower. Will you come in and read to me?”
“I sure will.” Ten watched Everly climb the stairs. “How did she really do out there?”
“She was solid,” Ronan said. “I didn’t sense she was afraid for even one second. Our little miss is the strongest person I’ve ever known. I just hate the fact that she’s seven going on forty.”
“Me too,” Ten agreed.
As Ten headed up the stairs he hoped that he’d be able to figure out some way to break the spirits free from Benedict’s grasp. The last thing he wanted to do was head back out to the prison, but if that’s what had to be done, Ten would do. No questions asked.
13
Ronan
The next morning dawned cold and rainy. Ronan could barely see the ocean from the back deck. He could hear the roar of the waves, but only saw the water when they broke on the beach. The news forecast rain for the morning and possibly into the early afternoon, but thankfully, there wouldn’t be any thunder or lightning, which was good news because the last place Ronan wanted to be in a storm was on the water. And the water was exactly where they were going this morning. He didn’t need Ten’s gift to know they were going back to Seavey Island to the Portsmouth Naval Prison to confront Warden Donald Benedict and free the souls he’d kept trapped for decades.
Half an hour after breakfast cleaned up after, Fitz and Jace took the kids, minus Everly, on a trip to the Children’s Museum in Portsmouth. Ronan hoped they would meet up with everyone once they settled matters with Warden Benedict, once and for all.
With Fitz taking the kids and the van, Ronan had reached out to tour guide Tin Cup to see not only if they could get into the prison again, but if he could pick them up on the way. Thankfully, the answer had been yes on both counts.
“Are we going to be able to take the boat out to the island in this fog?” Ronan asked when he got out of the van at the dock. From where he stood, he could only make out the prison’s roof.
“Yeah, the boat has GPS with autopilot. It won’t be a problem at all.” Tin Cup ushered everyone on board and cast off the bow lines.
“Are you ready to do this?” Ronan asked Everly, when the boat got underway.
“I am.” Everly sounded absolutely sure of herself. “I have an idea to help Bellamy and the others.”
“You do?” Ronan asked, sounding surprised.
“Yup, I figured it out thanks to you, Daddy, but I’m gonna keep it to myself for now.” Everly offered Ronan a cocky grin.
“Is there anything Cope and I can do to help?” Ten asked, sounding as if he were fishing for clues.
“Just be ready to help the spirits into the light when I make it appear. I want Daddy and Uncle Jude to stand behind me, as back up, which I know I won’t need, but it will make me look tougher.”
Ronan barked a quick laugh. “Whatever you need, I’m there for.”
“Me too,” Jude agreed, offering his fist for Everly to bump.
“Ronan!” Tin Cup called from the pilot house. “Come grab the wheel so I can tie up to the dock.”
“On it!” Ronan headed forward and walked into the wheelhouse.
“All I need you to do is hold the boat steady, so I can hop ashore and tie the boat up, got it?”
Ronan nodded and took the wheel. He held it still as Tin Cup grabbed the rope and secured it to the post.
He climbed back into the boat and shut off the engine. “Your daughter knows what she’s doing here?”
“She sure does,” Ronan agreed. “I don’t know what she has planned. Please, stay with the boat in case we need to make a fast getaway.” He reached into his pocket, grabbed his wallet and fished out two hundred dollar bills. “We can’t thank you enough.”
Tin Cup pocketed the money and helped everyone but Ronan ashore. “These are the keys you’ll need. First one is for the lobby door, second one is for Cellblock A.”
“Thanks.” Ronan took the keys and climbed out of the boat. Moving quickly, he unlocked the door and led everyone inside. Fog from the harbor had entered the prison through the broken windows, making it look even more creepy than it had the day before. “Stay close,” he cautioned and unlocked the cellblock door.
Everly walked by Ronan’s side down the corridor toward Bellamy’s cell. She wore a serious look on her face and her hands were fisted at her sides. “Warden Benedict, I demand you let Bellamy and the other spirits go. I’m only going to ask you once, then the pain begins.”
A deep malevolent laugh echoed through the cells, rattling the broken window frames. Moments later, Warden Donald Benedict came into view. “You’re going to hurt me?” Benedict laughed again, this time with real mirth in his voice.
