Page 57 of Hidden Tide

“I never had the chance to ask him. He disappeared a few days after James died.”

Keating holds out his hand. “I need the key.”

Thomas doesn’t release it.

“I kept my promise to James for over three years.”

“And whoever broke into your boathouse may come after you next,” Keating says. “That key is evidence now.”

Thomas studies him before placing it in his palm.

Keating slips it into an evidence bag and seals it.

“I’ll have a federal judge contacted tonight,” he says. “The circumstances surrounding Jonathan Sinclair’s death should be enough to obtain a warrant.”

“Tonight?” Mom asks.

“If possible.”

“What happens to us?” Hazel asks through Ward’s phone.

We almost forgot she, Willow, and Ivy are still listening.

“You’ll remain under guard until we know who has been watching your family,” Keating replies.

“That could take weeks,” Ivy says.

“Then you’ll have guards for weeks.”

Storm folds her arms. “I won’t abandon Sea Whisper for weeks.”

“No one is asking you to abandon it,” Ward says. “We’re asking you to stay alive long enough to go home.”

Her eyes meet his.

The fight drains out of her shoulders.

“Fine,” she says. “But I want to be there when they search the hidden compartment.”

Keating gives her a look that makes his answer clear.

Ward bends close to her. “That wasn’t a yes.”

“It wasn’t a no.”

“It was absolutely a no.”

The officer returns before Storm can answer.

“They found the release catches,” he says. “There’s a compartment beneath the passageway floor.”

Storm grips Ward’s arm.

“What’s inside?” Keating asks.

“A waterproof case. The evidence technician hasn’t opened it yet.”

“Tell them to bring it here after it’s photographed and secured.”