Page 12 of Hidden Tide
Thomas stared at the photograph on Nathan’s phone. He looked older than he had a few minutes ago. Smaller somehow.
“He did,” Thomas said.
“Why didn’t I know about him?”
“Because James didn’t want you to.”
Mom stepped away from Nathan as though she needed room to breathe.
“My father-in-law told us everything.”
Thomas lifted his eyes.
“No, Elanore. He told you everything he believed you needed to know.”
“That isn’t the same thing.”
“No.”
My sisters gathered around her.
Storm stood closest, ready to catch Mom if her knees gave out. Willow reached for her hand. Ivy and Hazel remained on either side of them.
Five points around the center.
Exactly as Grandpa had always taught us.
I remained beside Thomas.
“Was Jonathan older or younger?” I asked.
“Younger by four years.”
“What happened between them?”
Thomas looked toward the two Coast Guard vehicles parked beside the beach house.
Four officers had arrived. Two moved around the perimeter with the SEAL team while the others waited near the patio.
They weren’t pushing us for answers.
Not yet.
One of them, a woman with dark hair pulled into a tight knot, spoke quietly into her radio. She looked toward Thomas several times, but she didn’t approach.
She understood he was frightened.
That made me trust her more than I would have trusted someone who immediately began demanding information.
“Thomas?” I pressed.
His fingers tightened over the handle of his cane.
“Jonathan made a choice James couldn’t forgive.”
“What choice?”
“He went to work for Elias Ross.”
