Page 68 of Forged in Secrets

Gabe was probably not going to be pleased about the plan that was beginning to take shape in Ben’s mind, and in any case, it was likely he was on a flight to Mexico with the Hintons by now. If he was, he’d be fast asleep in his seat. It would be safer to text him now and check in again after he’d had his morning coffee. And preferably after the sun had time to rise.

“She’s right down here,” Ben said, gesturing to theirright as they approached the marina at last. Asher followed him past a row of sailboats until they reached Connie’s ramshackle watercraft.

“Wait. Never mind Gabe. How likely is it that she will kill us for waking her up in the middle of the night?”

Ben couldn’t stop his grin from escaping as he recalled his last interaction with Connie. “I’d say there’s a solid fifty percent chance. May as well get this over with.”

Asher walked up alongside the boat, examining the rope ladder that hung from the side. “You first.”

Ben pulled himself up onto the narrow sailboat and headed over to the door leading belowdecks, giving the solid wood several firm knocks. Asher followed, shivering as a rush of wind whipped across the water.

“Connie?” Ben called out, knocking again when she didn’t answer.

He flipped up the hood of the sweater he’d wisely grabbed on his way out of the hotel as another gust of wind blew salt spray into their faces. She had to be here. They didn’t have very much time to put his plan into motion. Their noon deadline would arrive before they knew it.

“Allow me,” Asher said, leaning over and pounding on the door with both fists. Ben flinched. He didn’t want to scare her half to death, but–

The door swung inward, revealing the sun-worn woman standing there in a neon pink robe, her arms wrapped tightly around her chest. “I can’t sleep as it is thanks to this dang music blastin’ the island,” she snapped. “Do you mind?”

“We’re really sorry to disturb you like this, Connie,” Ben said, offering the woman his most charming smile. “But we really need your help.”

She stepped out onto the deck, her hair flying in all directions as the wind caught the dry strands. “Again?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Asher said, stepping forward and extending a hand. “Hello. I’m Asher Forge. I’m Ben’s twin.”

Connie didn’t take his hand. “Son, I been meanin’ to get a new robe. This one’s got no tie left on it, and I don’t think y’all want to get a look underneath.”

Ben looked down at his feet, hoping that Asher wouldn’t make any attempt to be funny, but fortunately Connie continued talking before he could get a word in.

“You’re his twin? You sure they didn’t mix y’all up at the hospital?”

Connie looked Asher up and down, taking in his pale blonde hair and compact frame.

“Yes, ma’am, we’re sure,” Ben said. “Look, last time we met, I was here with–”

“You think I’d forget that pretty girlfriend of yours so fast?” Connie interrupted, lifting her finger to scold him, allowing the pink fabric of the robe to shift just enough to make Ben nervous. “I ain’t that old yet.”

Ben could see Asher’s smirk out of the corner of his eye, but he didn’t correct her. Even if he had actually had the courage to open up and ask Grace to be his girlfriend before now, the word didn’t seem to be quite enough to describe how deeply he felt for her.

If they ever got out of this, he wanted Grace to be his wife.

No matter how terrifying the thought was of having to tell her as much.

“Grace is missing,” Asher said, his expression becoming serious once again.

Ben nodded, listening as his brother gave Connie abrief rundown of everything they’d learned about the Lumeneer II, Craig and Jade Gorsky, and Lumen.

“Does any of this sound familiar to you?”

Connie shook her head. “Can’t say it does. But it explains the sorts of folks I always seen on that sailboat.”

Ben drew a breath. “Okay, this is very important. Do you ever remember seeing a large yacht on the other side of the island, anchored out in the Gulf?”

To his surprise, Connie needed scarcely a moment to think. “That ridiculous Santucci, you mean?”

He nodded.

“Course I seen it. Kinda hard to miss.”

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