Page 459 of Hidden Depths

Her voice broke.

Nathan placed one hand on her shoulder.

She continued.

“August believes strength means making others afraid. He believes loyalty can be purchased and silence can be forced. I helped create the man he became because I looked away too many times.”

Thomas closed his eyes.

“I have recorded every shipment, payment, and name I could verify. Take these records to someone beyond our islands. Do not trust the local authorities. Protect Daniel. Protect Elanore. And if I do not survive, tell my son that I loved him enough to try to stop him.”

Mom lowered the letter.

“He killed his father anyway.”

“Yes,” Thomas said. “Then blamed James for turning Elias against him.”

Nathan opened another box.

Photographs covered the top.

Grandpa and Dad stood together beside Sea Whisper’s unfinished hull.

Thomas appeared in the background.

Mom stood between Grandpa and Dad, laughing at something outside the frame.

Nathan stared at her photograph for a long time.

Beneath it waited another ledger.

He opened it.

His face changed.

“What is it?” I asked.

“My father.”

Mom moved beside him.

Nathan’s finger rested on a name.

William Hale.

“He worked for Ross?” Calle asked.

“For Ross’s father. Then August.”

The betrayal Grandpa had discovered.

The reason Nathan had spent so many years believing he didn’t deserve our trust.

“What did he do?” I asked.

Nathan read the entry.

“He altered cargo manifests. Warned August when inspectors were coming. Gave him access to Sinclair shipping schedules.”