Chapter 8 - THE LOCKER AT THE BOATYARD
The old boatyard stood beside a narrow industrial canal.
Its windows were boarded.
Its gates rusted.
Delphine arrived with Elias, Otis, and an independent investigator.
She held Aaron's brass key.
The investigator had arranged lawful access through the property custodian.
They entered the storage building.
Rows of metal lockers lined one wall.
Delphine looked at the key.
A small number was stamped into its head.
47\.
She found locker forty-seven.
Inserted the key.
Turned it.
The door opened.
Inside was a canvas bag.
A notebook.
And a waterproof case.
Delphine's hands shook.
She opened the case.
Inside were photographs of shipping manifests, payment records, and correspondence between Hion Ridge and several companies connected to the port.
Elias stared.
He recognized two names immediately.
One belonged to a Ferraro holding company.
The other belonged to Malcolm Voss.
Delphine opened the notebook.
Aaron's handwriting filled the pages.
Dates.
Amounts.
Names.
One entry was circled three times.
CAM A. — CONSULTING TRANSFER — $250,000
Delphine looked toward Elias.
“Cam A.”
His face hardened.
“Camille Ashford.”
The investigator leaned closer.
“We'll need to verify that.”
Elias nodded.
But he already knew.
Camille had been receiving money from Hion Ridge long before they became engaged.
Delphine turned another page.
There was a photograph tucked between the sheets.
A man standing beside a black sedan.
Elias stared.
“That's Malcolm.”
Delphine nodded.
Then Elias noticed the second figure.
A younger man.
Dark hair.
A familiar smile.
His stomach dropped.
Delphine looked at him.
“Who is that?”
Elias swallowed.
“My cousin.”
She stared.
He looked toward the investigator.
“That's Vincent Ferraro.”
The room went silent.
Elias closed the notebook.
May you like
Then whispered:
“This isn't just about Camille.”
