Convicted (Consequences)

Claire.”
    “So what? I may have felt sorry for her when I first heard her story, but seriously, if she’s stupid enough to go back to him—she deserves whatever has or will happen to her!”
    Harry stood ready to defend Claire’s decisions, even though he hated most of the ones she’d made. When he did, a wince escaped his lips as his back straightened and his ribs ached.
    “See, that’s her fault too! You’re obsessed with this because of her . Don’t tell me it’s Simon’s memory—it’s because of Claire.”
    “No! It’s not her fault—any more than it’s yours.”
    Amber’s eyes widened. “Excuse me? My fault—what the hell?”
    “I met Simon through you. Yes, I want to prove that prick is responsible for his death. Would I care as much if Simon wasn’t a friend? Probably not—does that make you responsible? No! You’re losing focus—Rawlings is responsible, and I’m going to prove it.”
    “The position of President of Security Operations at SiJo is yours. All you need to do is say the word. Walk away from this. Don’t let Rawlings ruin any more lives.”
    Harry didn’t answer. He sat back down to his makeshift desk with multiple computer screens and concentrated on his research. He knew there was nothing more he could add to the conversation—nothing productive. Amber must have realized he wasn’t turning back around. He heard her huff and get up before the door to his condominium slammed shut sending aftershocks back to the living room.
    With no one around, Harry read the screens. SAC Williams had gotten him access to the bureau’s server. The databases of information were a wealth of knowledge. Unfortunately, in real life, results for searches didn’t materialize as fast as they did on television shows. That was all right. Currently, Harry’s only commodity was time. That was one of the reasons the Deputy Director allowed him to remain on the case. That—and Harry’s acceptance of beefed up security.
    He hated having an agent posted outside his door. It was even worse having one accompany him everywhere he went; nevertheless, in his current state, Harry agreed. He wouldn’t be much of threat if he were to be attacked again.
    As he read the screens and entered more data, Harry thought about his sister’s words. He understood her concern and appreciated her offer of a job. Harry liked the time he’d spent at SiJo. For anyone else, it would be a great career. Amber had even offered him a real position on the board of directors.
    When he considered how far their relationship had grown since his divorce, he felt an unfamiliar sense of contentment. Maybe he did have the family he’d always wanted. The fact that he’d had it since he was a young boy, but hadn’t realized it, almost made it better. He wasn’t as alone as he sometimes thought. Harry hoped that one day Amber would understand his determination to nail Rawlings to the wall was for her—too. She needed closure on Simon’s death. No beat down in an alley would change that.
    He reached for his phone and texted Amber.
    “ THANKS FOR THE OFFER. I’M SORRY FOR BEING AN ASS. DINNER?”
     

     
    Claire held tight to Tony’s hand while Francis maneuvered the boat through the crystal waters. The trip from the island to town took anywhere from thirty to forty minutes, depending on wind and the roughness of the sea. Since this was only Claire’s second excursion off the island, she was surprised by the number of other islands they passed. The first time Francis took her into town, she was too nervous to truly register the world outside of the boat.
    Today, through sunglass covered eyes, she took in the beauty around her. The bright, tropical sun danced off the waves and glistened both near and far. The sea was neither calm nor rough. In more open water the waves were bigger. As they traveled between the islands in narrower straights, the seas calmed, reminding Claire of their lagoon. The islands they passed en route varied immensely. Some were small, like hers. Others were large with multiple homes. Many were uninhabitable with cliffs and ragged stone mountains. Claire understood how under the cover of darkness, maneuvering around the channels between the islands could be dangerous. If the seas were too rough, a boat the size of theirs could easily find itself thrown against the large rocks and cliffs.
    Despite having been born elsewhere, Francis knew the language and the culture of the area well. He was also known