“We document your survival.”
“Privately.”
“We contact federal investigators.”
“Why federal?”
“Because Mercer Marine has defense contracts.”
“And Victor’s network crosses state lines.”
My stomach dropped.
“How big is this?”
“Bigger than a family dispute.”
I looked at Tobias.
He nodded.
“That’s why I stayed quiet.”
For the first time, I understood part of his fear.
Not all of it.
But part.
That evening, Garrett reported us missing.
Then presumed dead.
He gave a statement.
He said he lost control in the storm.
He claimed the current pulled him away from the vehicle.
He said he tried to return.
He cried on camera.
I watched the news from the safehouse.
My husband stood beside Penelope.
She played the grieving sister.
Garrett said, “I loved my wife more than anything.”
I laughed so hard it turned into sobbing.
Tobias switched off the television.
“No.”
“Turn it back on.”
“Rosalind.”
“I want to see.”
He did.
Garrett continued.
He spoke about our marriage.
He spoke about Tobias.
He called him brave.
He said losing us would destroy him.
Penelope squeezed his hand.
A reporter asked why she was there.
She said family needed family.
