Page 23 of Brix

“What can we expect at this gala, Daphne?” asked Magnolia. “Should we bid on any of the auction items?”

“Oh, no. It’s not necessary. I mean, the money goes to a worthy charity, but don’t feel compelled unless something really strikes your fancy. You can purchase the items at the asking price if you like. Technically, there won’t be a traditional auction.

“There will be a lot of people there that even I don’t know. My mother’s whole game is to impress, so just be aware of that. She may not introduce any of you, so please don’t be offended. We’ll stay close, and I’ll do the introductions.”

“Daph, you don’t have to worry about us, honey. We know what we’re doing,” smiled Maddie.

“Hey, can everyone hear me?” asked AJ.

“Loud and clear,” smiled Zulu.

“Daphne, you said that you were told your parents died in a boat accident. Is that right?”

“Yes, that’s right. I don’t remember them having a boat, but again, I was so little I might not have remembered.”

“Daph, honey, listen to me. Six days before you and Cassandra were put in that orphanage, a cruise ship sank off the coast of Spain. It was an Italian ship with nearly eight hundred passengers. Forty-seven were children.”

“Alright. I don’t understand the connection,” said Daphne.

“None of the children were recovered, Daphne. None. All but seventeen of the adults survived, but none of the children could be found. According to the ship’s records, the children were all in a playroom. The door was jammed, and when the crew attempted to break it down, they were pulled back by the captain and ordered to abandon ship.”

“I’m not sure I understand,” she whispered, staring at the people around the table.

“Daphne, all of the people on that ship were extremely wealthy and successful. They belonged to an organization called Lightkeepers.”

“Lightkeepers? I’ve never heard of them. I don’t understand what you’re telling me. What does all this mean?”

“Lightkeepers were dozens of men and women from all walks of life who used their wealth, influence, ingenuity, and connections for the betterment of the world. For the most part, they were anonymous. The cruise was an annual function where they made decisions about where they could do the most good.

“It was everything from helping war-torn countries to building low-income housing in inner cities or helping young entrepreneurs get their companies off the ground. They were good people.”

“Were?” frowned Gabi.

“After the cruise, many decided they couldn’t go on. They’d lost all those children and couldn’t understand why or how.”

“AJ, was the ship’s captain charged with any crime?” asked Walker.

“No. But there was a good reason. Someone sabotaged the ship. They planted a small explosive in the engine room that disabled the ship, then another at the ship’s computer system and rudder. Whoever did it probably wasn’t counting on rough seas. He still should have been held accountable for pulling back on the locked door, but no one seemed concerned with that.”

“Wait a minute,” said Daphne, shaking her head. “Are you telling me that you think Cassandra and I were on that ship?”

“It sounds like it’s a possibility,” said Zulu. “I think we need to investigate that orphanage.”

“That’s another problem. The orphanage was shut down nine years ago, and the woman who ran it was found murdered in her home. I’m trying to find out where the records went. The only thing I have so far is that forty-seven children were in that orphanage the day Cassandra and Daphne were adopted.”

“Jesus, what has my mother done?” whispered Daphne.

“Take it easy, babe. We don’t know anything yet. We’ll do what we do the best and find answers. Until then, let’s keep a close eye on Lady Bishop.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

For Daphne, the knowledge that she may have been taken from a ship with other children was nearly more than she could bear. Her world was turning upside down, and it felt as if a slow, burning spin was about to occur. Trying to remember her own parents’ stories as children, she struggled to think of any tales regarding her mother and where she’d come from.

Her father had always been open about his upbringing. Given a tremendous opportunity to attend Oxford, he was proud of his hard work and the changes he was able to make for his family.

But when she asked her mother about her upbringing, her parents, siblings, aunts, and uncles, she always brushed it aside, telling her it was unimportant. Something was there.

“Brix? Can we ask the team to investigate my mother’s childhood and her family? I mean, her personal life before she met my father. She was never very open about it, and I feel like maybe there’s something in her past we should know.”

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