Chapter 14: Ten to Ten

Gabe's POV

She walked out of the shed in the sleet, and I stood at the door and watched her go until the gravel road bent.

I had promised not to follow her, and I kept the promise.

It was the only one I had left that I could keep.

I went back to the sloop and sat on the bunk where she had been, with the blanket still holding the shape of her.

The folder lay where she had dropped it.

My phone rang at nine that night.

It was the man who owned the charter fleet on the south pier, the one with eleven boats that came to my yard every winter.

He was also one of Dalton Hargrove's investors, which I had learned a month ago.

"Gabe," he said. "I'll be direct. Dalton tells me there's a police report with your name on it, and that his wife may bring a suit."

"She isn't his wife much longer."

"Whatever she is. Here's what I can do." He cleared his throat. "I have the refit contract for the whole fleet on my desk.

Eleven boats, two seasons, nearly half your year. I'd be glad to sign it.

All I need is for this to stay quiet, so nobody puts my name next to a scandal."

"You want me to keep my mouth shut."

"I want you to be sensible."

I looked at the hull above my head, the ribs my father had steamed and bent by hand.

For three weeks I had told myself nothing could be worse than what I had done.

I had been wrong about that.

The worse thing was that I had let her find it on a desk.

"I'm going to give a sworn statement," I said. "To her lawyer, to the police if they want it, and to anybody she names."

"Gabe, think about your men."

"I have. They'll understand."

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