Chapter 10: The Secret Rosa Cole Carried
Jayden had never driven so fast in his life.
Technically, he wasn’t even driving.
Mia’s older brother had picked them up after she called him, and the three of them rushed through Harbor Bay’s streets toward the Cole house.
But every second felt too slow.
His mother’s message repeated in his mind.
DON’T COME HOME.
THEY KNOW YOU FOUND OUT.
Those words were worse than any threat.
Because Rosa Cole wasn’t someone who panicked easily.
She was the person who stayed calm when storms damaged boats.
The person who smiled when business was slow.
The person who told Jayden everything would be okay even when she was exhausted.
If she was afraid, then something was very wrong.
The car stopped in front of the house.
Jayden jumped out before it fully stopped.
The front door was unlocked.
“MOM!””
No answer.
He rushed inside.
The house looked normal.
Too normal.
The lights were on.
A cup of tea sat untouched on the kitchen table.
A jacket hung near the door.
But something felt wrong.
Jayden walked slowly through the rooms.
“Mom?””
A sound came from upstairs.
A door opening.
Jayden looked up.
Rosa Cole stood at the top of the stairs.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Jayden ran to her.
“You’re okay.””
His mother hugged him tightly.
But Jayden noticed something.
Her hands were shaking.
“What happened?””
Rosa looked toward Mia.
Then toward the window.
“Not here.””
Jayden frowned.
“What?””
“Someone may be watching.””
That sentence made his stomach drop.
They moved to the back room.
Rosa locked the door.
Mia stood quietly.
Jayden looked at his mother.
“Tell me the truth.””
Rosa sat down.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she opened an old wooden box from the closet.
Jayden had seen that box before.
But he had never seen inside.
Rosa removed a folder.
Inside were documents.
Photographs.
A small flash drive.
Jayden stared.
“What is this?””
His mother looked at him.
“The reason your family has been fighting North Shore for fifteen years.””
Rosa placed the first document on the table.
It was an old employment contract.
Harbor Bay Port Authority.
Jayden looked confused.
“You worked at the harbor office?””
His mother nodded.
“Before I met your father.””
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because I wanted you to grow up without carrying my problems.””
Jayden looked hurt.
“But they became my problems anyway.””
Rosa lowered her eyes.
“I know.””
The room became silent.
She continued.
“Fifteen years ago, North Shore first came to Harbor Bay. They presented themselves as investors.””
“They wanted the waterfront.””
“Yes.””
“But everyone knew that.””
Rosa shook her head.
“No. They wanted more than land.””
She opened another file.
Inside were copies of financial records.
“North Shore had plans to manipulate property values.””
Mia leaned closer.
“How?””
“By forcing small businesses out.””
Jayden understood.
“If people couldn’t survive…”
“They would sell.””
Rosa nodded.
“And once enough people sold, North Shore would control the entire harbor.””
Jayden clenched his fists.
“So you found out.””
“Yes.””
“What did you do?””
Rosa looked away.
“I reported it.””
“To who?””
“The mayor’s office.””
Jayden already knew the answer.
“Richard Bennett.””
His mother nodded.
“And that was my mistake.””
The next document was a letter.
A warning.
Rosa explained.
“When I reported what I found, Richard promised he would investigate.””
“But he didn’t.””
“No.””
Her voice became quiet.
“He joined them.””
Jayden felt anger rising.
“All this time…”
His mother looked at him.
“Jayden, listen carefully.””
He stopped.
“The people we are fighting are not just greedy.””
She touched the documents.
“They are patient.””
“They waited fifteen years.””
“Yes.””
“And they used Mrs. Harper.””
“Yes.””
“They used the school.””
“Yes.””
Jayden looked at Mia.
Everything suddenly seemed bigger.
This wasn’t a simple business fight.
It was a long plan.
A plan built over years.
Then Rosa picked up the flash drive.
“This is the most important thing.””
“What is it?””
“Proof.””
“Of what?””
“Everything.””
She looked at Jayden.
“The original records.””
Jayden stared.
“Why didn’t you release them before?””
Rosa’s expression changed.
“Because they weren’t complete.””
“What do you mean?””
“There was one missing piece.””
“What piece?””
Rosa looked toward the window.
“The person who approved the final plan.””
Jayden already knew.
“Mayor Bennett.””
“No.””
His mother shook her head.
Jayden froze.
“Then who?””
Rosa hesitated.
Finally:
“The person above him.””
Nobody spoke.
Mia looked confused.
“Above the mayor?””
Rosa nodded.
“Someone with more influence.””
Jayden felt cold.
“Who?””
Before Rosa could answer, the power went out.
The entire house went dark.
Everyone froze.
Then came a sound.
The back door.
Opening.
Jayden grabbed the nearest object.
Mia whispered:
“Someone’s inside.””
Footsteps moved through the house.
Slow.
Confident.
Whoever it was wasn’t worried about being caught.
Rosa immediately grabbed the flash drive.
“Jayden.””
He looked at her.
“Take this.””
“What?””
“Run.””
“No.””
“Jayden.””
Her voice was firm.
The same voice she used when he was a child.
The voice that meant no argument.
The footsteps came closer.
Then a figure appeared in the doorway.
Jayden prepared himself.
But the person standing there wasn’t Daniel Voss.
It was Samuel Reed.
Everyone froze.
Rosa stared.
“You.””
Samuel looked exhausted.
“I’m sorry.””
Jayden stepped forward.
“You scared us.””
“I know.””
“Why are you here?””
Samuel looked at Rosa.
“Because they know about the evidence.””
Rosa’s face changed.
“How?””
Samuel didn’t answer.
That answer was enough.
May you like
Someone close had betrayed them.
Again.
