Chapter 7 - THE BOATHOUSEThe old boathouse stood at the far edge of the estate.
The river behind it moved slowly beneath a gray afternoon sky.
Elena walked toward the building alone.
At least, that was what Owen believed.
Damian and Marcus followed from a distance.
Elena carried the black ledger inside a canvas tote.
The door groaned.
“Owen?”
No answer.
Then:
“Stop.”
He stood near the back wall.
Mia sat on an overturned crate.
Her stuffed rabbit was pressed against her chest.
“Mama!”
Elena's entire body moved forward.
Owen raised his hand.
“Stop.”
“Is she hurt?”
“No.”
“Mia?”
“I’m okay.”
Elena looked at her.
“I'm here now.”
Owen pointed at the tote.
“The notebook.”
“First she comes to me.”
“That isn't how this works.”
“It is today.”
Owen stepped forward.
“My sister said you were stubborn.”
Elena froze.
“So Vanessa sent you.”
His expression changed.
“I didn't say that.”
“You didn't have to.”
He lunged for the tote.
Elena threw it past him.
Owen turned instinctively.
Elena ran.
She reached Mia just as the side door exploded open.
Marcus rushed in.
Damian followed.
Owen slammed Damian against the wall and escaped through the river door.
Marcus chased him.
A boat engine roared.
Elena dropped to her knees and pulled Mia into her arms.
“Mama!”
“I've got you.”
“You're squishing me.”
“Good.”
Mia coughed.
Elena laughed through tears.
“I’m going to squish you for the next fifty years.”
Damian crouched beside them.
“Did he hurt you?”
Mia shook her head.
“He gave me crackers.”
Elena stared.
“That does not make him nice.”
“I know.”
Mia wrinkled her nose.
“They were bad crackers.”
Damian laughed.
The sound broke the tension for half a second.
Then Marcus returned.
He held up Owen's burner phone.
A message appeared on the screen.
DO YOU HAVE THE GIRL AND THE BOOK?
Below it, Owen had typed:
YES. IF CROSS FOLLOWS, WE USE PLAN B.
Elena looked at Damian.
“What’s Plan B?”
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Before anyone answered, another message appeared.
PLAN B IS ALREADY LIVE.
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