Chapter 5 - The Breath in the Waves
Julian released his grip so abruptly that Bennett collapsed against the wooden floorboards, clutching his bruised chest. The world seemed to stop spinning. The constant, rhythmic roar of the Atlantic ocean outside sounded distant, muffled under the deafening weight of Bennett's words.
""What did you just say?"" Julian asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
""She knew,"" Bennett gasped, pointing a shaking hand toward the thumb drives Marcus held. ""Elena found out Vanessa was skimming money from the maritime charity foundation. She confronted her at the marina office that night. When Elena realized Vanessa had sabotaged her vehicle, she didn't call the police. She knew Arthur Sterling owned the local precinct. If she stayed, she knew she'd never survive.""
Marcus knelt beside Bennett, inspecting the Canadian passport. The photo inside was slightly faded, showing a brunette woman with sharp, familiar hazel eyes—the exact same eyes as Chloe's.
""Elena used Bennett's boat,"" Marcus said, glancing up at Julian with profound shock. ""This passport has stamps through Nova Scotia from eighteen months ago.""
""I smuggled her to a freighter bound for Halifax,"" Bennett said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. ""She made me swear never to return. But Vanessa found me last week in Portland. Her father’s private fixers threatened to burn my sister’s house down if I didn't retrieve the files Elena left hidden in this boathouse before the wedding.""
Julian grabbed Bennett by the lapels, hauling him upright. ""Where is she, Bennett? Where is my wife?""
""I don't know!"" Bennett cried out genuinely. ""She vanished into the Maritimes two years ago under the name Claire Morris. But she told me one thing before she left the dock.""
""What?"" Julian demanded.
May you like
""She said when Chloe was old enough to remember her voice, she would come back to take down the Sterlings. She gave Vanessa that locket on purpose, Julian. It wasn't stolen. It was a marker. Elena sent it to Vanessa's apartment three days ago as a message: I'm coming.""
Outside, the distant wail of state police sirens began to echo through the coastal pines, drawing closer to the estate gates.
