Chapter 9 - Pier Nine
Pier 9 sat at the oldest end of the marina, beyond the restaurants and bright charter docks.
Half the lights were broken.
The sea slapped against concrete pilings below us.
Captain Hale wanted police first. I agreed—quietly. Harbor patrol moved into position two blocks away while Evan and I approached on foot.
"You don't have to do this," he said.
"Neither do you."
"Celeste is still my sister."
"And Daniel was still my father."
We understood each other after that.
Mason Pike stood near the edge of the pier.
Celeste was beside him, barefoot, white dress dirty at the hem. His hand gripped her upper arm.
"Ava!" she shouted. "Don't give him anything."
Interesting.
Mason smiled.
"There she is."
"Let her go."
"The key first."
"Recorder first."
He lifted it from his jacket.
My father's old recorder.
"This? Piece of junk. But people have killed for less."
Celeste flinched.
I looked at her.
"Did you hire him?"
Tears streaked her makeup. "I told him to steal it. I didn't tell him to hurt Evan."
"Why?"
"Because Dad said that recorder could destroy us."
Evan went rigid.
"Dad told you?"
"He told me to protect the family."
Mason laughed. "There is no family. There's leverage."
He held out his hand.
"Key."
I took the brass key from my pocket.
"What does it open?"
"You don't know?"
"No."
For the first time, Mason looked uncertain.
Then he smiled again.
"Your father was smarter than I thought."
Sirens sounded in the distance.
Mason jerked Celeste backward.
Evan moved.
Everything happened at once.
Celeste twisted free. Mason swung. Evan blocked the blow. The recorder flew from Mason's hand, hit the pier, and skidded toward the edge.
I lunged.
My fingers closed around it an inch before it dropped into the black water.
Behind me, officers tackled Mason.
Celeste collapsed against a piling, sobbing.
I held the recorder to my chest.
Then I saw the small red light on its side.
May you like
It was still recording.
And beneath the old tape inside was a newer digital card taped to the battery compartment.
