Page 56 of Her Dark Lies

“Yes, and he’s not very happy.”

“I’ll bet.”

“Jack, knowing this breach is internal, I want to talk to you about that night. I think you should come clean. I think you should tell the authorities what really happened.”

Jack doesn’t answer. They’re at the cottages now, and duck inside one, shaking the umbrellas and wiping rain off their shoulders. The roof needs fixing, rain drips through in spots. Romulus stops at the door and sits on his haunches, watching, guarding. Remus comes inside, makes a circuit around the room, whining softly, then goes to join his brother.

“Why in the world would I do that? Why would I implicate Claire in this?”

“I don’t mean Monday night. I mean the night Morgan died. I think that’s what the threat’s about. Whoever sent that text, whoever hacked the servers, knows what really happened with Morgan.”

“Impossible. The only people who know are on this island, and there’s no one here I don’t trust with my life. You included, asshole.”

Elliot gives him a half smile. “Jack, think about this. Someone knows. The texts to you and me prove it.”

“They prove nothing. I agree, the threats are serious, but there’s nothing that ties back to Morgan. And whoever did this didn’t really hack the servers. They’re holding the data hostage. Big difference. No one can read that data, and it will self-destruct before they can decrypt anything.”

“You don’t know that. This is a warning shot. Whoever sent this knows how to cover their tracks, just as well as we do. I have a really bad feeling about all of this. There’s more to come. So you might think about calling it off. That’s all I wanted to say.”

“What, call off the wedding?” Jack’s tone is so incredulous Elliot flushes, a deep red that Jack knows is a warning sign he’d better back off. Elliot never has done well moderating his emotions. But Jack is tired of being careful with his little brother.

“Why do you not want me to marry Claire, Elliot?”

“Oh, please. Don’t be so dramatic. I couldn’t give two shits if you marry her or not. She’s a nice girl, but she’s hardly your equal. But that’s your problem, not mine.” He moves closer, and his voice drops menacingly. “What is my problem is this family, and our company. Dad isn’t taking this seriously enough, and neither are you. We’re all going to go down if this doesn’t get handled immediately.”

“What’s on the server that you’re trying to hide, Elliot? Is there something you know that I don’t?”

“It’s not my back I’m trying to cover, Jackson,” he fires back. “It’s yours.”

“You let me worry about my life, and my choices. I want to know what’s driving this sudden altruism on my behalf. You don’t need to bribe me. I’ve already offered to step aside and let you take my place in the company. What more do you need from me?”

“You just don’t get it. This is about what’s good for the family. All of our leverage is gone. We’ll have to start over.”

“I disagree, and Dad does as well, clearly, or you wouldn’t be out here trying to convince me to disobey him. He knows what he’s doing. I trust him. You should, too.”

Elliot throws up his hands. “Fine. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He starts away but Jack grabs his arm.

“Who sent me the text? Did you find out?”

“Why do you think I’m trying to talk some sense into you? It came from a New York number. It belongs to the woman who visited Claire in her studio, Ami Eister. All roads lead to a brick wall.”

“That’s impossible. Everything is traceable.”

“Normally, yes. But whoever is behind this knows how to cover their tracks. Karmen’s working on it.”

“Karmen has a lot on her plate.”

“The SOC is working on it, too. God, Jack. Hover much? I don’t know how Claire can stand all your mothering.”

“Elliot, what the hell is really going on here?”

“I’ve told you. Your negligence is about to bring the world crashing down around our ears.”

He stalks out, grumbling at the dogs to get out of his way, leaving Jack to stare at his retreating figure.

What the hell was that?

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