Page 27 of Smuggler's Cove

“Can’t or won’t?” Madison had an excellent grasp of semantics.

“The less you know, the better. For now.” Sidney cleared his throat. “I want to hire private security for you and Lincoln.”

“Why?” Madison did not think her life was threatened until Sidney explained.

“Your father hurt a lot of people. People are angry. If they can’t take it out on him, they may come after you and Lincoln.”

Madison dropped the phone and vomited into the trash can. The thought of revenge had not occurred to her. She had been engaged in anticipating the breaking news and her next move. But this? This was beyond disturbing.

She could hear Sidney’s voice coming through the phone that landed on the floor. “Madison? Are you alright?”

She wretched again and mumbled, “Yeah. Give me a minute.” She went into the bathroom, rinsed her mouth, and wiped her face. “I’m coming, Sidney. Hang on,” she called toward the place where her phone was lying on the rug. She held the damp washcloth to her face.

“Madison?”

“Yes, Sidney. I am here.” She fumbled with the phone and placed it next to her ear. “What do we do now?”

“I recommend you stay with your grandparents for a while. I don’t think anyone will track you to Connecticut.”

“But what about school?” Madison asked.

“You may have to put your studies on hold. Temporarily.”

“But Sidney, Lincoln just started his freshman year. I have huge projects coming up. I am supposed to assist at the Met Gala.”

“I’m sorry, Madison. But your safety is of the utmost importance. Best you and your brother stay under the radar.”

Madison’s head was reeling. “For how long?”

“A couple of weeks at the least.” Sidney paused. “I know this is an extremely difficult situation to navigate, especially coming out of left field. But it is imperative you take the necessary precautions. Both of you.”

“Sidney? Can I call you right back? I want to get Lincoln so we can talk this through together.”

“Certainly.”

“Give me five minutes.”

Madison peeked through the fish-eye lens of the door. The hall was empty. She flipped the swing bolt to keep the door ajar and knocked on her brother’s door. He opened it immediately. “What’s up?”

“You have to come to my room. We need to talk to Sidney.”

“Sure.” He grabbed his room key. “You okay? You smell like puke.”

“Very observant.” Madison pushed her door open and locked it after they entered.

“Are you alright?” Lincoln saw how pale his fair-skinned sister looked.

“Just a reaction to Sidney.” She shoved the trash can into the bathroom and shut the door. “I’ll deal with that later.”

“I’ll call housekeeping.” Lincoln dialed the number using the house phone. “Good afternoon. My sister took ill and had a mishap in the trash can. If you don’t mind, I am going to leave it in the hallway covered with a towel.” He paused. “Yes, fresh towels would be appreciated. Thank you.”

Madison hit the speaker button on her cell. “Sidney. I have Lincoln here.”

“Lincoln. How are you holding up?” The voice of Sidney Rothberg floated toward him.

“I’m alright. Baffled, but alright.”

“I told your sister that you should both be aware that there may be some people who seek revenge.”