Rain still battered the lighthouse as everyone crowded around Ethan.
His hands shook as he stared at the screen.
Marcus took the phone.
The sender read:
Jonathan Hunter
There was no profile picture.
No signature.
Only one line in the subject field.
“It’s time.”
Marcus looked at Ethan.
“Don’t open it yet.”
Ethan nodded.
“What if it’s a trap?”
“It probably is,” Marcus replied. “Or it’s the only lead we’ve had in twenty-three years.”
He switched the phone to airplane mode.
“If there’s any tracking software, it won’t be able to communicate.”
Ethan gave a nervous smile.
“I taught cybercrime last semester.”
Marcus raised an eyebrow.
“And?”
Ethan grinned.
“I learned a few things.”
⸻
Emily’s Heart
Emily clutched Michael’s journal tightly against her chest.
The letter had a
