Page 458 of Hidden Depths

I wanted him to say them again when the mountain wasn’t shaking and blood wasn’t drying on both our clothes.

But Thomas needed a hospital.

Ben was still bleeding and needed stitches.

The second gate had opened.

And behind it waited nearly thirty years of Sinclair family secrets.

So I touched Ward’s face.

“This isn’t over yet.”

“No.”

His hand covered mine.

“But Ross is.”

Coast Guard investigators entered the chamber.

They photographed everything before touching the metal cases.

Ledgers filled the shelves.

Shipping manifests.

Bank records.

Photographs.

Names of men who had held public office, commanded ports, managed shipping companies, and protected Ross’s operation for decades.

Some were dead.

Others were still powerful.

Nathan opened the case Ross had nearly thrown into Blackwater.

Inside lay a bloodstained journal.

Elias Ross’s journal.

And beneath it was a letter addressed to Grandpa.

Nathan handed it to Mom.

The paper trembled in her hands as she opened it.

“Read it,” Thomas whispered.

Mom looked toward him.

The medics had placed him on a stretcher, but he refused to let them carry him out until he saw what James had protected.

Mom began.

“James, if you’re reading this, I failed to stop my son.”