June Uploads the Video

The south marina looked abandoned in the way expensive places did after midnight: locked gates, dark slips, boats sleeping under canvas.

Roslyn hated the plan. Elise hated that Roslyn's plan still put Ruby in a patrol car, Adam in a vest, and June hidden in the back of Theo's SUV with Claire whispering prayers like apologies.

"You are bait," Roslyn told Elise.

"I understood when you gave me the microphone."

"Do not get proud about it."

Elise walked onto the dock with a decoy bag in one hand. The real flash drive and beneficiary forms were already in evidence. The bag held paper towels, two dead batteries, and Theo's old bank training manual because he had said it deserved to be useful once.

Dane Lott stepped from behind a covered boat. He was broad, red-faced, and calm enough to be dangerous. Adam whimpered from the shadows behind him, hands tied.

"Where is Ruby?" Dane asked.

"Where is Martin?" Elise asked.

Dane smiled. "You think trustees meet dock rats?"

"No. I think trustees hire them."

He lifted a gun and aimed it at Adam's leg. "Bag."

Elise set it on the dock and kicked it forward.

Dane opened it with one hand. His smile died.

Roslyn's voice cracked through the dark. "Police. Drop the weapon."

Dane grabbed Adam by the collar and hauled him back. Patrol lights flooded the marina. Adam screamed. Claire screamed from the SUV, which told Elise June was no longer hidden.

June ran toward the dock with Vivian's phone raised.

"June, no!" Claire shouted.

Dane swung the gun toward the movement.

Elise slammed into him before thought could count cost. The gun went off into the water. Theo tackled Adam away from the edge. Roslyn hit Dane from the other side and took him down hard.

For one second, no one moved.

Then June's phone pinged.

The cracked screen showed a live upload complete.

June looked at Elise, shaking.

"I sent Grandma's video to every donor on the foundation list," she said.