Chapter 13 - The Island Without Records
Blackthorn Island did not appear on public maps.
It lay six miles off the northern coast, legally owned by a charitable trust based in another country. Harrow Industries had used it as a private medical retreat until a storm destroyed the docks fifteen years earlier.
That was the official history.
Jonathan described something else.
A secure facility built beneath an abandoned monastery.
A place used before Bellweather.
“There are no legal patient records,” he said. “No registered staff. No inspections.”
Daniel stood beside the boathouse while emergency crews battled the estate fire.
The explosion had destroyed Margaret’s study.
The original deed was gone.
So were the tapes.
Clara had suffered a head injury but remained conscious.
Lily sat beside her, refusing to release her hand.
Pike had been taken into state custody under armed guard.
Michael survived the lake.
Oliver had vanished.
“Why would Evelyn take him there?” Daniel asked.
Jonathan looked toward the smoke.
“Because Rebecca escaped from every other place.”
“Can we reach the island?”
“There is one harbor on the western side.”
“Then we go.”
“The waters are controlled.”
“I do not care.”
“You should. Evelyn may expect you.”
Daniel turned on him.
“She pushed my son into this war before I knew he existed. I will not leave him alone for another hour.”
Lily spoke quietly.
“I know a way in.”
Everyone looked at her.
She reached beneath her collar and removed a pendant identical to Oliver’s.
“My mother took me there once.”
“Celeste?”
Lily nodded.
“She said I had to learn where bad children went.”
Daniel crouched.
“Do you remember the island?”
“There was a tunnel near a statue with no face.”
Jonathan whispered, “The saints’ passage.”
Lily opened her pendant.
Inside was the second half of the archive key.
She handed it to Daniel.
“Will this help find Oliver?”
“Yes.”
Daniel hoped it was true.
Michael combined the two key fragments using Oliver’s copied data.
The archive opened.
Hundreds of files appeared.
Patient names.
Property transfers.
Adoption records.
Video evidence.
And a live access page connected to Blackthorn Island.
One camera showed Oliver sitting in a stone room.
Evelyn stood across from him.
She wore the same cream coat she had worn at the station three years earlier.
Oliver’s hands were tied to the chair.
Evelyn placed a document on the table.
“Sign your name,” she said.
“I’m eight.”
“You know how to write.”
“My dad told me not to sign things I don’t understand.”
Evelyn leaned closer.
“Daniel is not your father.”
“Yes, he is.”
“He did not make you.”
“He chose me.”
Evelyn’s expression tightened.
“You sound like Rebecca.”
Oliver looked at her.
“Good.”
Daniel felt pride and terror at once.
On-screen, Evelyn opened a folder.
“Your mother is dead.”
“No, she isn’t.”
“You did not see her escape.”
“She always comes back.”
Evelyn slapped the table.
“Sign.”
Oliver refused.
A man entered the room.
His face remained outside the camera frame.
Only his hand was visible.
He wore a silver signet ring engraved with the letter H.
Evelyn stood straighter.
For the first time, she appeared subordinate.
The man said, “Leave us.”
She hesitated.
“Jonathan may be with Daniel.”
“I said leave.”
Evelyn obeyed.
Daniel looked at Jonathan.
“Who speaks to her like that?”
Jonathan stared at the ring.
“My father wore one like it.”
“Your father would be over a hundred years old.”
“Yes.”
“Then who inherited it?”
Jonathan did not answer.
On-screen, the man sat across from Oliver.
“Do you know who I am?”
Oliver shook his head.
“I am the reason your family exists.”
The voice was familiar.
Daniel had heard it in Evelyn’s secret call.
If Daniel doesn’t abandon the child, file a lawsuit to claim ownership of the house.
The man continued.
“Your grandmother has made a mess. You will help me correct it.”
Oliver looked toward the camera.
For one second, it seemed he could see Daniel watching.
Then he said, “My dad is coming.”
The man laughed.
“I know.”
The screen went black.
Michael traced the connection.
“The feed was routed through the island.”
“Can you restore it?”
“Not remotely.”
Daniel grabbed his coat.
Jonathan blocked him.
“There is something you need to know before we leave.”
“No more delays.”
“The man on that recording may be Adrian.”
Daniel stopped.
Lily stared at Jonathan.
“My father?”
Jonathan nodded slowly.
“Adrian survived Bellweather.”
“Then why would he help Evelyn?” Daniel asked.
“Because survival changes people.”
“You have proof?”
“Only a voice.”
“That is not enough.”
“No. But if Adrian controls Blackthorn, Oliver is not merely a prisoner.”
“What is he?”
May you like
Jonathan looked at the dark computer screen.
“His successor.”
