Chapter 10 - THE HARBOR
Marcus traced Victor’s connection through three encrypted servers.
The signal originated somewhere near New York Harbor.
Police notified the Coast Guard.
Noah kept Victor talking.
“You used Scarlett to move the money.”
Victor smiled.
“Scarlett was always eager to feel important.”
“You used her jealousy.”
“I used ambition.”
“There is a difference.”
Mia studied every detail behind him.
A narrow bunk.
A steel wall.
A circular window.
The low vibration of an engine.
Victor was not on a luxury yacht.
He was aboard a commercial vessel.
Noah continued.
“Why kill my father?”
Victor’s expression became almost sad.
“Alexander was a visionary.”
“He was also naive.”
“He believed corporations could survive on principles.”
“He threatened to expose payments that protected thousands of jobs.”
“You protected yourself.”
“I protected what he built.”
“You sabotaged his plane.”
Victor’s smile disappeared.
“You cannot prove that.”
“Scarlett will testify.”
“Scarlett will say anything to save herself.”
“She knows about the maintenance records.”
For the first time, Victor looked toward someone off camera.
Mia noticed.
“He’s not alone.”
Noah saw it too.
“Who is with you?”
Victor leaned closer.
“You should ask your security director where Eleanor Shaw is.”
Noah’s blood ran cold.
Eleanor had never arrived at her office that morning.
Her assistant assumed she had gone to court.
Victor continued.
“The documents Mia mailed were intercepted.”
“Eleanor tried to be clever.”
“She failed.”
A woman’s muffled voice came from somewhere behind him.
Mia recognized Eleanor.
The Coast Guard narrowed the search to four cargo vessels preparing to leave the harbor.
Marcus rushed into the room.
“We found the ship.”
“The Northstar Meridian.”
“It departs in nine minutes.”
Noah stood.
“Send everyone.”
Victor heard him.
“It is too late.”
The video disconnected.
The Coast Guard ordered the Northstar Meridian to stop.
The captain did not respond.
Two patrol boats moved toward the vessel.
On the hospital screen, live maritime tracking showed the ship turning toward open water.
Mia gripped Noah’s hand.
“Go.”
“I promised I would stay.”
“You promised not to let guilt make you weak.”
“Marcus will protect us.”
“Bring Eleanor home.”
Noah kissed Mia and hurried from the room.
Marcus remained behind with armed security.
At the harbor, helicopters circled above the Northstar Meridian.
The ship’s engines slowed.
May you like
Then smoke erupted from the lower deck.
Victor was burning the evidence.
