PART 3
Part 3 – The Truth Liam Had Carried Alone
Police cars surged toward the marina exit.
Blue and red lights reflected across the water as officers chased the black SUV.
For a moment...
Everyone forgot about the yacht.
Everyone except Edward.
He stood frozen, staring at Catherine.
His voice barely rose above a whisper.
"Who is he?"
Catherine buried her face in her hands.
She couldn't answer.
Liam slowly stepped forward.
"I know."
Edward turned toward the boy.
"You do?"
Liam nodded.
"His name is Marcus Kane."
"He used to work at Harrison Shipping."
Edward's eyes widened.
Marcus.
His former head of security.
The man who had disappeared three years earlier after being caught stealing confidential company files.
"I thought he left the country," Edward murmured.
"He didn't."
Liam shook his head.
"He was hiding."
"And he came back for revenge."
Just then, an officer's radio crackled.
"Suspect vehicle stopped at the east gate. One male in custody."
A wave of relief swept across the marina.
But Liam didn't smile.
Edward noticed.
"What aren't you telling me?"
Liam looked down.
"He wasn't working alone."
Everyone turned toward Catherine.
She began crying uncontrollably.
"I never wanted anyone to die."
"I swear."
Edward's heart sank.
"Then why?"
She closed her eyes.
"Marcus found me months ago."
"He knew our marriage was falling apart."
"He said if you died in an accident..."
"...the insurance money and your company shares would finally belong to me."
"I told him no."
"I tried to walk away."
"But he had recordings."
"He threatened to ruin me."
"He said he'd tell everyone about the gambling debts I'd hidden from you."
"So you helped him?"
Edward asked quietly.
Catherine nodded through tears.
"I only told him when you were leaving today."
"I didn't believe he'd actually plant a bomb."
The words shattered whatever remained of Edward's trust.
He looked away.
Unable to recognize the woman he'd loved for twenty-three years.
Silence settled over the dock.
Then Edward slowly turned back to Liam.
"How did you know?"
Liam hesitated.
For the first time...
He looked frightened.
"My father..."
he whispered,
"...worked for Marcus."
Edward frowned.
"He drove the truck that delivered equipment to the marina."
"When he realized there was a bomb..."
"He tried to stop Marcus."
Liam's voice cracked.
"Marcus hit him with a wrench."
"My dad told me to run."
"He said..."
"...'Save Mr. Harrison before it's too late.'"
Edward felt his chest tighten.
"Where is your father now?"
Liam lowered his head.
"The ambulance took him away."
"He was still breathing when I left."
"I didn't know if he'd survive."
Before Edward could respond...
An ambulance pulled slowly back into the marina.
The rear doors opened.
A paramedic stepped out.
He looked directly at Liam.
Then smiled.
"You should come see him."
Liam's eyes filled with tears.
"He made it through surgery."
"He's awake."
Liam collapsed into tears of relief.
Edward placed a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder.
For the first time that day...
He didn't see a frightened runaway.
He saw the child who had risked everything to save complete strangers.
Edward looked toward the ambulance.
Then quietly made a promise.
May you like
"When your father recovers..."
"Neither of you will ever have to face life alone again."
